9thyear of publication Srinagar Observer WTO To Make Announcement About DC Reviews Arrangements At Quarantine Centres, Interacts With Arriving Residents Buttler admits feeling ‘apprehension and Chief Amid Reports He Will Resign anxiety’ about cricket resuming The World Trade Organization will make an announcement Thursday Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary visited more than Although Jos Buttler admits to feeling some “apprehension and anxiety” about its Director-General Roberto Azevedo, a spokesman said, two dozen quarantine centres in Panthanchowk, Nowgam, Shalteng, about the thought of resuming cricket during the COVID-19 pandemic, he following reports he is planning to step down before his term South, Khanyar and North Tehsils to review the arrangements and also believes the enforced layoff could add years to his career and that of expires next year. “The WTO will have an announcement on this interacted with residents arriving from different states. More than his England teammates. England last took the field on March 13 during a matter following the heads of delegation meeting” at 1400 GMT, 90 hotels across the city have been taken over ...|Page 05 warm-up game in Sri Lanka before the tour was abandoned and the squad spokesman Keith Rockwell said in an email statement ...|Page 07 flew home. At a time when Buttler, who was due to go to the ...| Page 08

Friday, 15 May, 2020 21, Ramadhan 1441 Hijri Published from Srinagar RNI No:JKENG/2012/43267 Vol:9 Issue No: 113 Pages:8 Rs.5.00 epaper: www.srinagarobserver.com

COVID May Stay Pregnant Lady Among 12 Test Positive in JK, Toll 983 Jahangeer Ganaie tested at CD hospital lab in last 24 hours were found negative. Forever: WHO Srinagar: Twelve more people He further added that results of including a pregnant lady were test- 145 samples are awaited and 237 ed positive for Novel coronavirus in more samples were received on Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, Thursday. Officials from Shopian ‘Can’t Predict When taking the tally of total positive cas- said that among two new cases from es in Union Territory to 983. the district, one each belong to Ur- Pandemic Will Be Controlled’ Officials told a local news gath- pora and Hirpora village. ering agency that among new 12 They said that so far 2976 sam- cases, nine were tested in Kashmir ples were collected in the district, division while as three were tested among them 2508 were tested neg- positive in Jammu division. ative while as 104 were tested posi- They said that five cases were tive and reports of 364 samples are tested positive at SKIMS, four at Lal yet to come.They further added that Path Lab and three at Government out of 104 positive cases, 61 have medical college Jammu. cured while as 43 are active positive They further added that new Dr G H Yatoo Nodal officer for two belong to Shopian district and cases. Officials from Pulwama said positive cases include a 25-year-old Coronavirus at SKIMS said that out one each are from Srinagar, Pulwa- that new case belong to Drabgam pregnant lady of Handwara who of 3619 samples tested at virology ma and Jammu. village of the district. had visited SDH Sopore for gyneco- lab SKIMS, five were found positive Dr Salim Khan Nodal Officer for Officials were Ramban said that logical consultation few days before and 3614 negative. coronavirus at GMC Srinagar said three persons were tested positive where her samples were taken. He added that out of 5 new cases, that out all 748 samples that were in Ramban district on | More on P2

Smokers are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection, Stop Smoking now; The act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increase the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth, smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious Agencies to build up sufficient levels of im- illness, smoking products such as water pipes often involve the sharing of mouth pieces and hoses. munity to it. I think it’s important Geneva: The World Health Or- to put this on the table, he said. ganization’s (WHO) emergencies This virus may become just an- chief said it’s possible the new coro- other endemic virus in our com- COVID-19 Containment Kulgam gunfight navirus may be here to stay, warn- munities, he said, noting that oth- Doubling Time Of ing it’s impossible to predict when er previously novel diseases such the pandemic might be controlled. as HIV have never disappeared, Cases Slows Down In Adopt Target Sampling, Militants Escaped Under This virus may never go away, but that effective treatments have said Dr. Michael Ryan, in a news been developed to allow people to Last 3 Days: GoI Ensure Visible Improvement: Cover Of Darkness: Police briefing on Wednesday. He said live with the disease. Agencies Agencies that the number of people infected Ryan said there remains hope Div Com To CMOs by COVID-19 so far is relatively low. that an effective vaccine will be New Delhi: The doubling time of Coro- Kulgam: Jammu and Kashmir police Without a vaccine, he said it developed, but even then, it would navirus infection cases has slowed down Thursday said that the militants who were could take years for the population require a huge amount | More on P2 to 13.9 days in the last three days, Union trapped in Yamrach area of South Kash- health minister Harsh Vardhan said on mir’s Kulgam district managed to flee after Thursday, as the COVID-19 death toll rose an initial exchange of fire with security to 2,549 and the number of cases to 78,003. forces, taking advantage of the darkness. The minister, who visited the Nation- Security forces including Police, Army and al Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) CRPF had laid a siege at Yamrach village of CJ Mittal Writes To Union Minister here and dedicated the COBAS 6800 test- Kulgam district late last night after specific ing machine to the nation, said 14 states inputs about the presence of militants. Seeks Establishment Of Administrative Tribunals and Union Territories have not reported A police official said that after forces zeroed any case of COVID-19 in last 24 hours. in on the suspected house, the hiding militants Agencies These states and UTs are Gujarat, Telan- SO News Desk measures for streamlining and opened fire. “However, there was no further gana, Jharkhand, Chandigarh, Chhattis- further improving the function- contact with the militants even as searches Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir High garh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Srinagar: In wake of ing of the Corona virus testing were carried out throughout the day,” he said. Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal has writ- Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, COVID-19 Pandemic, the Divi- laboratories at SKIMS Soura, A police official said that during the in- ten to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Manipur, sional Commissioner Kashmir GMC Srinagar and SKIMS Med- tervening night of May 13 and 14, a specific seeking establishment of administra- Meghalaya, Mizoram and Puducherry. Pandurang K Pole Thursday ical College Bemina besides input was received by Kulgam police about tive tribunals with multiple benches Also, Daman and Diu, | More on P2 chaired a meeting to review the sample collection | More on P2 the presence of militants in | More on P2 having permanent seats in Srinagar and Jammu. Mittal wrote to the minister on Tuesday, a statement said. with permanent seats in Jammu and Expressing concerns over the lack Kashmir, the chief justice apprised the Govt Sets Up ATF On of the required number of benches minister that with the | More on P2 CIC To Begin Hearing RTI Cases Narcotics in JK Force Will Help Fight Drug Menace, Indian Troops Maintaining 'Posture' Of Twin UTs From Today Drug Trafficking: Police SO News Desk Agencies Along Border With China: Army Chief New Delhi: Union Minister Agencies of State (Independent Charge) Srinagar: In a significant development, Development of North Eastern Jammu and Kashmir government on Thurs- New Delhi: Indian troops were Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Per- day accorded sanction for setting up 'Anti maintaining their "posture" along the sonnel, Public Grievances, Pen- Narcotics Task Force' for addressing the border with China while infrastruc- sions, Atomic Energy and Space, issue of growing drug abuse and trafficking ture development in the frontier areas Dr Jitendra Singh said that the in the Union Territory (UT). was on track, Army Chief Gen M M Central Information Commis- The government has also dedicated a spe- Naravane said on Thursday, days after sion (CIC) would start hearing applications of applicants from Friday (15.05.2020). This was dis- cific strength of officers of police from erst- personnel of the two countries were Right to Information (RTI) Act the UTs of J&K and Ladakh from closed | More on P2 while anti hijacking units into the ANTF. locked in two separate incidents of vi- An order in this regard has been issued by olent face-offs. the Home Department of Jammu and Kash- Gen Naravane said the incidents in juries to personnel from both the sides. LG, CIC Discuss Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday interacted with Bimal Julka, Chief Information mir government. Eastern Ladakh and North Sikkim in- The Army Chief said both sides "dis- Transfer Of Commissioner (CIC) through video conference and discussed about the transfer of pending complaints The order said that sanction has been ac- and appeals with erstwhile J&K Information Commission to the Central Information volved aggressive behavior by Chinese engaged" after dialogue and interac- Complaints | More on P2 corded to set up Anti Narcotics Task Force and Indian troops resulting in minor in- tion at the local level. | More on P2 (ANTF) under the overall | More on P2

Chill returns due to fresh rainfall in Kashmir Sgr Airport Ready To Resume Committee Constituted With 40% Flight Operations To Step Up Recruitment Met Issues Traffic Suspended On Waiting For Centre’s el by air and all the guidelines Process In JK Warning For 3 Days Sgr-Jmu Highway Again will be followed in spirit. They Nod, It’s Going To Be said that it may take some time SO News Desk Agencies he 270-km-long Srinagar-Jam- to start full-fledged operations mu National Highway, the only Challenge: Dir Airport but initially “30 to 40 per cent air Jammu: The government has constitut- Srinagar: After wit- T all weather road connecting Tasaduq Hussain traffic operation would start.” ed a committee to accelerate recruitment nessing above normal max- Kashmir valley with the rest of the Talking exclusively to a local to government vacancies and ensure imum temperature during country, was closed yet again on Srinagar: Airport authori- news gathering agency, Direc- certain principles of transparency, inclu- the last couple of days, Thursday due to fresh landslides and ties in Srinagar Thursday said tor Srinagar Airport, Santosh siveness and speed are maintained in the weather turned chilly due shooting stones, triggered by rain. that they are ready to resume Dhoke, said that all the neces- recruitment process. to incessant intermittent ”Traffic on the highway was sus- the flight operations with only sary protocols, SOPs are be- As per an official order issued here rain since early this morn- pended again this afternoon due to 30 to 40 per cent air traffic ing put-in place and they will today in this regard, sanction has been ing in the summer capital, fresh landslides and shooting stones soon after the Centre gives its ensure the normal operation accorded to constitution of this Com- Srinagar, and other parts of at Trishul Morh in Ramban,” a traffic nod. They, however, said that without any hesitation soon af- mittee which will comprise of Navin K. Kashmir valley. isolated thundershowers not to spray pesticides and police official said. Standard Operating Procedure ter Centre gives a go ahead. "We Choudhary, Principal Secretary, Agri- Meanwhile, a weath- and hails with gusty winds fertilizers in orchards for Hundreds of Kashmir-bound ve- (SoP) and the COVID-19 proto- are ready to resume the flight culture/Horticulture Department as its er warning has been is- (30-40 km per hour) would about a week. hicles, including SRTC buses ferrying col will be followed in spirit. operations but final call is up to Chairman and Nodal Officer while Sau- sued during the coming occur in Kashmir, where A Met department stranded people and trucks carrying The officials said that there the ministry of aviation (GoI). rabh Bhagat, Commissioner Secretary, 72 hours following which farmers have been advised spokesperson | More on P2 essential commodities, | More on P2 will be a major change in trav- The moment they | More on P2 Labour & Employment | More on P2 SRINAGAR 02 OBSERVER Srinagar / FridAY / 15 MaY i 2020 News

ries issued by the government from time to time and National Informatics Centres across J&K tioning of labs, pool testing of samples, timely col- stones were hampering the operation. “Traffic COVID May and are urged to rely only on the information would host the Audio/Visual interactions in lection of samples in each districts, daily release will be resumed only after receiving a green sig- of work to produce the shots and distribute released by the government through the daily CIC proceedings. All the complainants and of individual reports, walk-in testing by individu- nal from NHAI and traffic police officials post- them worldwide to people willing to be immu- media bulletin to print and electronic media. appellants in this matter could visit the NIC als, unnecessary re-testing of the suspects, usage ed at different places on the highway,” he said. nized. People are also advised to refrain from Centres of their respective districts for the pro- of such machines having testing capacity of hun- Only essential service vehicles and SRTC Every single one of those steps is fraught with spreading rumours and pay no heed to them ceedings. dred samples per day, consolidated test reporting, buses, ferrying stranded passengers who were challenges, he said. at the same time. (KNO) A threadbare discussion was held on transfer regular supply of RNA extraction kits & CBNAT returning from different parts of the country, Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for of all the files, complaints and appeals pending cartridges and other COVID-19 related measures. have been allowed to ply on the highway in COVID-19, added that she recognized some people CJ Mittal Writes with erstwhile J&K Information Commission Divisional Commissioner directed for im- view of nation-wide lockdown to curtail the were in a state of feeling quite some despair, but enforcement of the J&K Re-organization Act, to CIC, New Delhi and the Lt Governor assured proving sample collection, labeling and testing spread of COVID-19. (UNI) pointed out that stopping the virus even without 2019 and the issuance of the notification dated the CIC that the same would reach the CIC of- procedures. He asked the concerned to ensure medical interventions was possible. 29th of April, 2020 bearing no 208, some 31,641 fice within a week. proper database of samples taken besides hand- Sgr Airport Ready The trajectory of this outbreak is in our pending service matters have to be transferred Besides notifying all CPIOs of J&K, emphasis ing/taking of samples with proper receipts. give us the nod, we will go ahead”, he said. hands, she said. We have seen some countries from both the wings of the High Court of Jam- was also given on sensitizing the CPIOs/ PIOs While interacting with the Chief Medical He said that to ensure protocol is followed in bring the virus under control. (Agencies) mu and Kashmir to the administrative tribu- and First Appellant Authorities, through Webi- Officers of Kashmir Division through Video spirit and social distancing maintained among nals. nar, on Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 and Conferencing, the Div Com received first hand the passengers, they have started marking Pregnant Lady In the absence of any infrastructure or regis- RTI Rules 2012 notified by the Department of appraisal about the present situation in their some spots and in the coming few days’ marks Thursday taking toll of total positive cases try for operationalising the functioning of the Personnel & Training (DoPT). respective districts and directed them to ensure to be used for maintaining social distancing in Ramban district to 04.Deputy Commission- tribunal in J&K, only a single circuit bench of Chief Secretary informed the CIC that visible improvement with regard to Covid-19 will be done. er Ramban informed that three positive cases the Chandigarh bench of the tribunal would be around 243 Second Appeals/ Complaints are containment by adopting target sampling. He “Special marks will be used at the checking found in Ramban are all migrant returnees add- hopelessly insufficient to provide efficacious pending in J&K which would be transferred to further directed the CMOs to take samples of all counters to ensure social distancing among of- ing that these persons were already in adminis- dispensation to the disputants in service mat- the CIC for disposal. goods and service providers in their respective ficials. Airlines will also depute their officials trative quarantine. ters in the UT of J&K as well as in Ladakh, Mit- Meanwhile, the Lt Governor directed the of- jurisdiction besides all returnees. who will provide passengers boarding pass af- “3 Positive cases found in Ramban today. All tal wrote. ficers concerned to update the websites and en- The Divisional Commissioner also stressed ter showing valid PNR number. But in entire 3 from among the designated migrant returnees In the letter, the chief justice said the penden- sure voluntary disclosure of information as per the importance of increasing the capacity of exercise, proper guidelines will be followed and from other States and staying in admin quaran- cy of service matters before the Jammu or the the mandate of the RTI Act so as to minimize COVID-19 laboratories, in terms of number of no laxity will be allowed,” he said. tine centres,” DM Ramban tweeted. Srinagar wing of the J-K high court was more the scope of RTI applications and maintaining tests done per day and timely reporting. He He said all the arrangements are being made According to the daily Media Bulletin, out of than the pendency before the principal bench transparency in the working of Administra- said that this is very vital for overall COVID-19 to ensure the safety of passengers and officials. 983 positive cases, 487 are active Positive, 485 in Delhi and way more than that before the ad- tion. control and mitigation operations across val- “At entrances, the computers and web camer- have recovered and 11 have died. ministrative tribunals in Allahabad, Chennai, ley like Isolation, Administrative Quarantine, as have been installed to magnify the boarding Moreover, 19 more COVID-19 patients have Hyderabad, Kolkata and Jabalpur among oth- Doubling Time Home Quarantine, Contact Tracing, Sampling passes and tickets. Passes will be shown on recovered and discharged from various hospi- ers. Sikkim, Nagaland and Lakshadweep have and other appropriate daily planning of these computer screen to satisfy the CISF officials tals of Kashmir Division. Even for the states having extremely low not reported any case so far. activities at highest level. who will allow entry,” Dhoke said. The Bulletin further said that out of 63515 pendency, separate tribunals have been creat- “It is heartening that the last three days’ Pole stressed for strict adherence to the Similarly, at the gate, there will be a team of test results available, 62532 samples have tested ed, she added. (COVID-19) doubling time has slowed down to Covid-19 protocol and guidelines while dealing health officials who will check the temperature as negative till May 14, 2020. The number of government employees in the 13.9 days, while the doubling time in the past 14 with the Corona virus situation and exhorted of Passengers and as per government guide- Furthermore, till date 103290 travellers and UT of J&K is more than some of the larger states days was 11.1,” Vardhan was quoted as saying officers to put in joint efforts in containment of lines, the passenger should have Arougya-Setu persons in contact with suspected cases have and hence, in absence of an administrative tri- in a health ministry statement. the COVID-19 pandemic in a collective manner. app and the indication it shows must be green. been enlisted for surveillance which included bunal with multiple benches having permanent About ramping up testing capability, the Principal GMC Dr Saima Rashid, Director “In case it’s orange, one won’t be allowed to en- 26603 persons in home quarantine including fa- seats both in Jammu as well as Srinagar, the minister said, “We have now developed a ca- Health Services Kashmir, OSD H&ME, HoDs ter/proceed,” he said, adding that Arogya-Setu cilities operated by government, 152 in Hospital fundamental right of access to justice as also pacity to conduct 1,00,000 tests per day. Today of Microbiology SKIMS Soura, SKIMS Bemina app is mandatory. “If a passenger arrives with- Quarantine, 487 in hospital isolation and 12383 the legitimate expectation of efficacious and marks an important milestone as we have car- & GMC, Registrar Academics GMC Srinagar, out it he/she won’t be allowed to proceed,” he under home surveillance. Besides, 63654 per- expeditious remedies for dispute would be ad- ried out nearly 20 lakh COVID-19 tests at more Medical Superintendents of SKIMS Soura, said. sons have completed their surveillance period. versely impacted, Mittal said. (Agencies) than 500 laboratories -- 359 government and 145 SKIMS MC Bemina and Associated Hospitals, A decontamination tunnel is also being in- Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulle- private -- in the country.” Lab Coordinator SMHS and NHM were present stalled by SMC for sanitizing the passengers tin said that Bandipora has 134 positive cases Indian Troops Maintaining The COBAS 6800, he said, is the first fully in the meeting. and their luggage also with 1% of hydro chlo- with 16 Active Positive, 117 recovered (includ- “It is reiterated that both these incidents are automated, high-end machine for real-time ride. The director airport said that it’s going ing 09 recoveries today), 01 death; Srinagar has neither co-related nor do they have any connec- COVID-19 PCR testing procured by the govern- Militants Escaped to be a challenge but all the government guide- 142 positive cases (including 05 reported today) tion with other global or local activities,” he ment, and is installed at the NCDC. village Yamrach. lines are being followed to ensure smooth flow with 54 Active Positive, 84 recovered, 04 deaths; told journalists when asked about the face-offs. “The COBAS 6800 will provide quality, “During the search operation, militants fired of air traffic and passengers that include arriv- Anantnag district has 145 positive cases with “All such incidents are managed by estab- high-volume testing with a high throughput indiscriminately at the searching parties of als and departures. (KNO) 121 Active Positive, 23 recovered (including lished mechanisms where-in local formations of test around 1200 samples in 24 hours. It will forces. The troops immediately took cover and 06 recoveries today), 01 death; Baramulla has from both sides resolve issues mutually as per largely increase the testing capacity with re- retaliated. Militants took advantage of dark- Committee Constituted 110 positive cases with 50 Active Positive, 57 established protocols and strategic guidelines duction in pendency,” Vardhan said. ness and fled from the spot,” he said. (KNO) Department, Farooq Ahmad Lone, Secretary, recovered, 03 deaths; Shopian has 107 positive given by the prime minister after the Wuhan Highlighting its other features, the Union General Administration Department and Achal cases (including 02 new cases reported today) and Mamallapuram summits,” Gen Naravane Health Minister said COBAS 6800 is robot- Chill returns Sethi, Secretary, Department of Law, Justice with 47 Active Positive, 60 recovered; Kupwara said. has 83 positive cases with 38 Active Positive, 45 He said Indian Border troops have always recovered; Budgam has 52 positive cases with been upholding peace and tranquillity along 34 Active Positive and 18 recovered cases (in- the border areas. cluding 04 recoveries today); Ganderbal has “I can say with confidence that development 23 positive cases with 09 Active cases and 14 of infrastructure capabilities along our north- recoveries; Kulgam has 72 positive cases with ern borders is on track. Our force posture will 66 Active Positive and 06 recoveries; Pulwama not suffer due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he has 14 positive cases (including 01 case reported said. today) with 10 active positive, 04 recovered. It is learnt that the situation in the Eastern Similarly, Jammu has 38 positive cases with Ladakh region remained tense with troops of 11 active positive cases and 26 recoveries and 01 the two countries maintaining a close watch death; Udhampur has 23 positive cases (includ- on each other demonstrating aggressive pos- ing 01 reported today) with 03 active positive turing, even nine days after the violent clash case, 19 recovered and 01 death; Samba has 11 involving 250 soldiers from both sides. positive cases with 07 Active Positive and 04 re- The confrontation began on the evening of coveries; Rajouri has 04 positive cases who all May 5 and both sides decided to “disengage” have recovered; Kathua has 17 positive cases the next day. with 16 Active positive and 01 recovered; Kisht- In a separate incident, nearly 150 Indian and war had only 01 positive case who has recov- Chinese military personnel were engaged in a ered; Ramban has 04 positive case (including face-off near Naku La Pass in the Sikkim sector 03 reported today) with 03 active positive and of the Sino-India border on Saturday. At least 01 recovered while Reasi has 03 positive cases 10 soldiers from both sides sustained injuries in with 02 active positive and 01 recovered today. the incident. (Agencies) The Bulletin said that the breakup rep- resents districts from which the patients have CIC To Begin been traced or are ordinarily residing. by Dr. Singh after meeting the Chief Informa- As per the bulletin, the public in general has tion Commissioner (CIC) Bimal Julka, who been informed that smokers are at higher risk called on the Union Minister here. The Minis- of COVID-19 infection , Stop Smoking now; The ter said that applicants from J&K and Ladakh act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly can file RTI applications from home and no one contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with has to travel outside even for appeals to the CIC. lips which increase the possibility of transmis- This will usher in a new culture of “Justice sion of virus from hand to mouth, smokers may from Home”, said Dr Jitendra Singh. ics-enabled minimising the chance of contam- said that light to moderate and thundershowers &.PA would be other officers of the Committee. also already have lung disease or reduced lung Applicants from both the UTs can file first ination as well as the risk of infection among would occur at most places in the valley for three The terms of reference of the Committee capacity which would greatly increase risk of appeal before the Officers designated by them healthcare workers since it can be operated re- days from Thursday under the influence of a West- shall be to identify the vacancies for being serious illness, smoking products such as wa- and can avail the facility of hearing from home motely with limited human intervention. ern Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region. filled up on immediate basis with priority to ter pipes often involve the sharing of mouth for 2nd appeal before the CIC. Moreover, the As the machine requires a minimum BSL2+ “The weather will remain wet on Sunday and Mon- Class-IV vacancies; finalizing the procedure to pieces and hoses, which could facilitate the applicants can file RTI anytime through the on- containment level for testing, it cannot be day as well,” he said, adding the weather will start be followed for recruitment, so that the prin- transmission of COVID-19 and conditions that line mechanism. placed at just any facility. COBAS 6800 can also to improve from May 20 onwards. ciples of transparency and inclusiveness are increase oxygen needs or reduce the ability of The Minister also informed that any citizen detect other pathogens such as viral Hepatitis He said farmers have been advised not to spray maintained and the process of recruitment is the body to use it properly will put patients at of India can now file RTI pertaining to matters B and C and HIV, according to an official state- pesticides and fertilizers in orchards for about a concluded speedily; to ensure that necessary higher risk of serious lung conditions such as related to J&K and Ladakh, which was reserved ment. week. sanctions/approvals are obtained, rules noti- pneumonia. to only Citizens of erstwhile State of Jammu Vardhan also visited the control room and After witnessing improvement in the night fied (wherever required) for enabling Services “The best way to protect yourself against and Kashmir, before the Reorganisation Act of testing laboratories, and reviewed the current temperature, people woke up to a cloudy Selection Board to commence the process of re- COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance 2019. status of COVID-19 testing with NCDC Director Thursday morning in Srinagar. As the day cruitment immediately and removing hitches of at least 2 metre from others and frequent- It is pertinent to mention here that conse- Dr S K Sing and other senior officials, it said. progressed, incessant intermittent rain lashed in the recruitment process, if any. ly cleaning your hands with an alcohol based quent to the passing of J&K Reorganisation Act “I salute the pathologists, lab technicians, the city, resulting in chilly weather conditions. The Chairman/Nodal Officer shall be re- hand rub or wash them with soap and water”, 2019, the J&K Right to Information Act 2009 and scientists and other staff who are our ‘Coro- People in the city could be seen wearing sweat- sponsible for the tasks assigned to the Commit- the Advisory further informed the people. the Rules there under were repealed and Right na Warriors’ and working under tremendous ers and jackets, besides use electric and gas tee and he shall be assisted by other officers of The bulletin further explains that early de- to Information Act 2005 and the Rules there risky conditions day and night to save their fel- heaters to keep themselves warm. the Committee. tection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of under were enforced from 31.10.2019. Dr. Singh low countrymen,” he said and stressed the peo- World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about The Committee shall meet frequently, if disease, let us be responsible for the well-being stated that concerted efforts for smooth transi- ple need to shun stigmatising frontline health- 55 km from here in north Kashmir, witnessed necessary on daily basis, and interact with of ourselves and everyone around us. Not dis- tion from the J&K RTI Act 2009 to the Central care providers and applaud their contribution. light to moderate rain since early this morning, Administrative Secretaries to ensure that the closing symptoms could put life of individuals RTI Act were taken by the offices of Ministry Vardhan also emphasised on the quality resulting in dip in the maximum temperature. indent(s) for recruitment(s) is forwarded to Ser- and their families at risk. In case of symptoms of Home Affairs, DoPT and Central Information and sturdiness of community surveillance and People associated with tourism have lost their vice Selection Board by 22nd May, 2020. like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing re- Commission. The Minister informed that till contact tracing in fighting the coronavirus out- source of income as the ski resort remained de- The Committee will continue to monitor the port early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline 10th May, 2020, 111 second appeals/complaints break. serted in view of lockdown to curtail spread of process till the recruitment process is completed. numbers and seek medical advice. (fresh cases) from the UT of J&K have been reg- “It is the need of the hour that all people who COVID-19. “We were already facing financial As a measure for social distancing in public istered in the CIC consequent to the Reorgani- are either at home or facility quarantine, need crises in view of zero tourist influx last year Govt Sets Up places & workplaces wearing a face cover is sation Act, 2019. to maintain a strict vigil, and practise the proto- after August 5, when centre abrogated Article superintendence and control of the Inspector compulsory. Training for CPIOs and FAAs is being cols of social distancing, and personal hygiene. 370 and Article 35 A. Now we were hopeful that General of Police, Crime, Jammu and Kashmir. Advisory urged people not to step out of planned and registration/alignment of Public Special care needs to be taken of the elderly, the tourism will pick up this year, but due to The Home Department has also ordered trans- home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have Authorities of Union Territories of J&K and La- pregnant women and children,” he said. COVID-19 lockdown all our hopes have been fer of one post of Superintendent of Police, two to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure dakh on RTI online portal of DoPT is also being As many as 134 COVID-19 deaths and 3,722 scattered,” a hotelier from Gulmarg said over posts of Deputy Superintendents of Police, nine that you wear a mask and practice social dis- taken up with DoPT. fresh instances the respiratory infection were the phone. posts of Inspectors, eighteen posts of Sub Inspec- tancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand- At present, all information commissioners reported in 24 hours till Thursday 8 am, accord- Incessant intermittent rain lashed world tors, eighteen posts of Assistant Sub Inspectors washing with soap and water.” are hearing cases and CIC headquarters are ing to the Union Health Ministry. famous health resort of Pahalgam, which also and fifty two posts of selection grade constables In case of any emergency people can avail functioning with 33% official staff. Senior Infor- With 26,235 people having cured of the dis- remained deserted from last over two months, and constables with total strength of the force free ambulance services 24x7 at their doorsteps mation Commissioners are hearing cases from ease so far, Vardhan said the recovery rate has since early this morning, resulting in chilly involving all ranks shall be of one hundred. All by calling on toll-free number 108 while as preg- the office over video conferencing. further improved to 33.6 per cent from 32.83% weather conditions. these officers will be part of the ANTF. nant women and sick infants can avail free am- on Wednesday on while the fatality rate was 3.2 Rain also lashed other parts of Kashmir val- The Home Department in its order has further bulance services by dialling toll-free number LG, CIC Discuss Transfer per cent. ley, including Qazigund, gateway to the valley, stated that it shall be ensured that 50 per cent of 102. Commission, New Delhi. D.P Sinha, Information Com- He also added that as of Wednesday there Kupwara and Baramulla in north Kashmir, and Sub Inspectors to be posted to the new force shall missioner for UTs also joined the discussion, besides People can also call on toll-free national were 3 per cent active COVID-19 patients in tourist resort of Kokernag. (UNI) be direct recruits. A police spokesman said that BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Farooq Ahmad helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Lone, Special Secretary to Government, General Admin- ICU, 0.39 per cent on ventilators and 2.7 per cent DGP Dilbagh Singh has thanked the Lt Governor Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191- istration Department (GAD); Achal Sethi, Secretary to on oxygen support. (Agencies) Traffic Suspended G C Murmu for creation of ANTF on the police 2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jam- Government, Law Department were also present on the were stranded at various places on the high- proposal stating that the Force will help in fight- mu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For occasion. Adopt Target way due to the closure of the highway. ing the drug menace in the UT. Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and centers at District/Subdistrict hospitals in However, he said the National Highway Au- “This will be yet another special wing within response to health-related queries on Novel During the interaction, it was given out that kashmir division. thority of India (NHAI) has already pressed the police department to deal with the crimes Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). from 15th May onwards, the CIC would start During the meeting several measures were into service sophisticated machines and men to related to drugs and their trafficking,” the Public is advised to strictly follow the adviso- hearing the complaints and appeals from J&K discussed threadbare which include 24×7 func- clear the landslides, adding continued shooting spokesman said. (KNO) SRINAGAR NEWS SRINAGAR / FRIDAY / 15 MAY I 2020 OBSERVER 03

Navin Choudhary honours Basmati Advisor Baseer Khan reviews JKPDC working Growers with Certificate of Quality • SO NEWS DESK DC to shortlist and prioritize viable and feasible projects which can be JAMMU: Advisor to Lieutenant Gov- easily borne by the Corporation and • SO NEWS DESK Development Authority issues which inter alia in- ernor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today complete all the pending paper work (APEDA) and other relevant cluded promotion of Direct reviewed the working of J&K Power for their early execution. He also en- JAMMU: Principal Secre- forums for promoting and Seeded Rice, Establishment Development Corporation (JKPDC) joined upon the officers to conduct tary, Agriculture Production popularizing the Jammu of Custom Hiring Centres, here at a meeting. the inspections of ongoing schemes Department, Navin Kumar Basmati and further remov- Formation of Farmers Pro- The Advisor took detailed review and resolve the bottlenecks, if any. Choudhary, today awarded ing the bottlenecks in trou- ducers Organisations (FPOs) of the physical and financial progress, Earlier, Managing Director, JKSP- the Basmati Growers with ble-free export of Basma- in mushroom and bee-keep- working of the Corporation along with DC gave a power point presentation Certificate of Quality and ti-370. ing, exposure visit of farmers ongoing projects, strategy for harness- on the energy scenario and hydro pesticide residual safety in a Director, Agriculture Jam- outside the UT, irrigation ing the Hydro Power potential and to power potential in J&K. He said the farmers meet at Krishi Bha- mu, lnder Jeet, informed canal, agricultural machin- make the Corporation a viable profit UT has 20000 MW of estimated hydro wan, Talab Tillo Jammu. that approximately 85,000 to ery, promotion of contract earning entity for the UT. power potential of which only 16475 Speaking on the occasion, 90,000 farming families are farming, installation of Solar Secretary, Power Development De- has been identified on the basin of Principal Secretary informed involved in Basmati cultiva- Irrigation pumps, marketing partment, M. Raju, Executive Director, proposed projects, the Advisor em- cost escalation. He directed the Man- Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Indus. that 184 samples of Basmati tion in three districts of Jam- of sugarcane. Electric, JKSPDC, Executive Director, phasized upon adhering to the time- aging Director, JKSPDC to finalize He apprised the Advisor that the Rice from Basmati growers of mu, Samba and Kathua. Of The Principal Secretary Civil, JKSPDC, Chief Engineer, Gen- lines for framing of tender documents the tenders for Lower Kalnai project JKSPDC owns, operates and main- Jammu, Samba and Kathua which, 90 percent are small assured the farmers that all eration Wing, JKSPDC, Jammu, Chief and other technical reports. He di- on Chenab within 30 days. tains 22 Power Projects (13 in UT of districts were tested for pes- and marginal farmers hav- their issues would be looked Engineer, BHEP, General Manager rected the Secretary to take periodic The Advisor also directed the con- J&K and 9 in UT of Ladakh) and the ticide residue by the Quality ing low investment and risk into for redressal. (Civil) JKSPDC, Jammu besides other (monthly) review of the projects to cerned to complete the tender docu- Corporation has an annual return of Control & Quality Assurance bearing capacities. He said Joint Director Agricul- senior officers of the corporation were keep tab on the ground situation and ments for the eight projects proposed Rs. 400 Crores. He also apprised the Division of Indian Institute that this honour will boost ture (Inputs) Anil Nargotra; present in the meeting. remove stumbling blocks, if any. He under PMDP within 30 days. meeting regarding the projects opera- Of Integrative e-Medicine growers’ morale for their per- Joint Director Agriculture While reviewing the status of the said it will help to avoid delay and The Advisor directed MD JKSP- tional as well as in the pipeline. (CSIR) Canal Road Jam- sistent pursuit in quality obe- (Extension) B K Chandan; mu to confirm the purity of dience besides paving way in Joint Director SLUB Dai- Prestigious Jammu Basmati raising the economic status sy Bhan; Deputy Director Rice. The samples have been of Basmati growers. (Central), Inderjeet Singh, certified as safe for pesticide Prominent farmers includ- Agriculture Economist, K K residue. ing Rajinder Sharma, Majua Sharma, Technical Officer Rs 14.47 cr released as cooking Div com tours Srinagar city to While releasing the re- Bishnah; S. Tajinder Singh, to Principal Secretary APD, port issued by IIIM in this Jammu; Kesar Parveen, Jam- Vijay Upadhay, Agronomist cost to children under MDM review dewatering measures regard, Navin Choudhary mu; Kewal Krishan, Kathua; (Vegetables), A S Reen; CAO said that this report will be Sushant Sharma, Kathua in- Jammu, F A Bhat; CAO Sam- • SO NEWS DESK classes per child per day and shared with Agriculture and teracted with the Principal ba, Sanjay Verma were also Rs 7.45 per child per day to • SO NEWS DESK Processed Products Export Secretary and raised several present on the occasion. JAMMU: An amount of Rs. those belonging to upper pri- 14.47 crore has been released mary as cooking cost. SRINAGAR: Divisional as cooking cost Food Securi- Dr. Arun Manhas in- Commissioner Kashmir, ty Allowance for one month formed the Advisor that Pandurang K Pole today con- to 8.29 lakh eligible children since the lockdown imposed ducted tour of Srinagar city Restrictions Imposed On Public Transport who were provided dry ration due to Covid-19 pandemic, to review dewatering exer- under Mid Day Meal (MDM) the Department in league cise across the city areas. and Movement of People in Shopian Scheme some time back. with Food Civil Supplies and During his visit, Pole visit- This was informed during Consumer Affairs has dis- ed Lal Chowk, Rajbagh, Son- • JUNAID GULZAR kets across the district were The district administra- a meeting convened by Advi- tributed dry ration (Rice) un- war, Gogji Bagh, Radio Kash- shut in order to prevent the tion has appealed the public sor to LG, KK Sharma here der the scheme among more mir, Jawahar Nagar, and SHOPIAN: Fruit growers infection of Covid-19 virus to Co-operate with us to make today. than eight lakh students other dewatering stations to association Shopian thanked in the district. the lockdown successful and Principal Secretary, in Jammu and Kashmir. take first hand appraisal of principal secretary horticul- The security forces has also emphasize on Stay Home School Education, Dr Asgar He further informed that the dewatering exercise in pumps with ranging capac- units with a capacity ranging ture, director horticulture sealed off all the roads es- Stay Safe Samoon, Mission Director 4,42,768 students belonged view of the rainfall. ity from 2 lakh to 5 lakh li- from 75000 litres to 5 lakh li- and CA stores association for pecially main roads in the Fruit growers association MDM, Dr Arun Manhas and to Jammu Division whereas Divisional Commissioner, tres per hour per unit was tres per unit are in place to one month relaxation district and also erected Shopian thanked principal other senior officers partici- 3,59,718 students were given who was accompanied by presented before Divisional dewater inundated areas. Strict restrictions has barriers at several places to secretary horticulture, di- pated in the meeting through dry ration in Kashmir Divi- Commissioner SMC, Gazan- Commissioner. Mobile dewatering pumps been imposed on the public prevent the unwanted move- rector horticulture and CA video. sion. Besides, Bank Account far Ali, S.E Drainage along SMC has procured 12 have been set up at differ- movement in the district ment of the people. stores association for one Pertinently, the 8.29 lakh details of the students were with Executive Engineers high capacity dewatering ent points in the city, he in- Shopian, also the public Only the persons with val- month relaxation in terms of eligible children were pro- also obtained for transfer- Drainage Circle and other units have already pressed formed. transport was completely id passes were allowed to CA charge on apple from 20 vided dry rations (rice) in ring the cooking component officers inspected the func- into services at most in- Besides, SMC has put off the roads and the mar- move in the district. march to 20 April. view of COVID-19 Pandemic amount of Midday Meal tioning of various permanent undated points. Commis- pressed into Sucker Ma- so that they could cook the Scheme to these students dewatering stations and por- sioner SMC updated Mr chines and high pressure same at their homes. through DBT Mode. table mobile pumps across Pole that SMC’s men and mobile dewatering units for The amount released to- It is pertinent to men- the city. machinery are working quick results. Government of Jammu & Kashmir day would be credited into tion here that Midday Meal On the occasion, he di- round-the-clock to ensure Div Com was also briefed their bank accounts by the Scheme is aimed at improv- rected SMC to press into that people should not face about the present scenar- Chief Education Officers ing nutritional status of the services more mobile pumps any inconvenience due to io of drainage networking OFFICE OF THE MANAGER AGRICULTURE (CEOs) of their respective children from classes First across the city, particularly the rain water. highlighting low lying and districts through Direct Ben- to Eighth studying in the at the vulnerable points for a SMC Commissioner fur- vulnerable areas and was FARM PADGAMPORA efit Transfer (DBT). Out of Government schools besides speedy dewatering of numer- ther informed that 85 per- briefed about the various on- the total released amount, encouraging the underpriv- ous submerged areas. manent dewatering stations going drainage schemes and DASTI QUOTATION Rs. 4.97 would be given to ileged children to attend the A live demonstration of having capacity of 1300 cu- the future plans in drainage those belonging to primary schools on regular basis. high capacity dewatering secs and 115 mobile pumping networking as well. Sealed quotations (affixed with revenue Stamp of Rs: 5/=) are invited from interested parties for harvesting of Oilseed crop in the below mentioned area at Agriculture farm Padgampora, which should reach to this office by or before 18/05/2020 up to 2.00 Emboldened by Samoon’s tweet, PM. The quotations will be opened on the same date viz, 18/5/2020 at 3.00 PM in the Tehsildar, S. H.O Thanna office of u/sd in presence of quotationers who wish to remain present. private schools start sending text messages Further clarification of any kind if needed can be obtained from the office of u/sd on Mandi Conduct to parents demanding fee any working day during office hours. • AGENCIES Joint Inspection forced to pay the school fee keen to see people in trou- S. No Particulars Area in Ha Remarks post abrogation of Article 370 ble,” said Ajaz Ahmed. • IMRAN KHAN prominant place f their shops SRINAGAR: Getting em- despite the fact the lockdown The Lieutenant Governor 1 Harvesting of Oilseed crop 6.5 ha for public convenience. boldened by a recent tweet, then was enforced by the gov- led erstwhile state of Jam- RAJOURI: Immediately after The officers also distrib- tweeted by incumbent Prin- ernment and there was no mu and Kashmir enforced taking over as new Station uted face masks among the cipal Secretary Education, call for strike from any sepa- lockdown in the third month The constituent committee nominated reserves the right to accept or reject any quo- House Officer Thannamandi people during their visit of Dr Asghar Samoon, private ratist organization. (March) of this current year tation without assigning any reason thereof. inspector Mohd Fareed, today the market. schools have started demand- This time, the history is and since then schools, both conducted a joint inspection Later , talking to this cor- ing school fee from parents in getting repeated. Despite lock- government and private are Terms & conditions: of the market alongwith the respondent, Tehisldar Tham- Kashmir Valley. down being enforced by the closed. It was Srinagar May- 1- The whole process for Harvesting of Oilseed must be completed within 05 Tehdildar Thamna mandi Sh. na mandi briefed about the Dr Samoon recently tweet- government and people sitting or, Junaid Matuu, who took a B.A.Khatak . measures being taken by the ed that private schools can idle in their homes, private lead and enforced lockdown days. Both the officers went local administration un- collect tuition fee and man- schools, supported by some in whole city, though he was 2- The payment will only be made after the completion of harvesting. round the market and had der the guidance of District agement of the schools can people in power corridors are criticized by the then Divi- detailed interaction with the Development Commisioner decide about the concession keen to empty the pockets of sional Commissioner Kash- 3- The crop should be harvested without causing any losses if any losses have shopkeepers . The officers Rajouri Sh. N.A. Sheikh to in transportation fee. the parents. “Parents have mir, Baseer Khan. “Govern- been found at any stage the same will be recovered from the bidder. also interactied with a few combat Covid 19. Majority of the people believed started receiving text messag- ment bothers least for the Issued through Information and Publications ,Department of Agriculture Kashmir customers who had been in The new Station House that this ‘one sided anti-people’ es from school managements. common people. Ways and the market for purchase of Officer , during his brief tweet surfaced after some pri- I too received a message from means are being devised to essentials. assured the general public vate school owners got in touch Delhi Public School Srinagar harass people on one or the Sd/- The officers advisd the that every effort, on behalf with Asghar Samoon. that reads: kindly clear your other pretext. It is useless M A N A G E R shopkeepers and the custom- of police , shall be made to “This was an irrational tweet school dues by 1st June, 2020. to oppose the decision and DIPK-771/20 Farm Padgampora ers to adhere to the rules help the people in their fight clearly dictating parents to You can now pay from your better to beg and pay these of social distancing, use of against Corona. pay tuition fee. Everyone mobile using credit/debit school owners, who are not masks, timing of the market The SHO furthur assured doesn’t have income like a bu- cards, Net Banking, PayTM educationist but business- Government of Jammu & Kashmir and price control. that any person found in- reaucrat. People at the helm of or UPI. For any help call: men and whose greed for The officers asked the volved in exploitation of the affairs should think twice be- 9622771144, 7051533207.” money will never insatiate,” MECHANICAL HOSPITAL & CENTRAL shopkeepers to ensure the public or violating the rules fore tweeting any stuff,” said a Other schools have also said a visibly angry father hanging the rate lists at the shall be strictly dealt with. local Muhammad Shafi. started sending such messag- whose three kids are study- HEATING DIVISION SRINAGAR After the abrogation of spe- es to parents. “I too received ing in a private school. cial status of Jammu and a message from Wood Land Director Education Mu- (Phone No: 0194-2496089, E-mail id: [email protected]) Website: www.medkmr.or Kashmir last year in August, School Sonawar,” said Bilal hammad Younis Malik said parents were forced to pay Ahmed. that there is no such decision (Short Term) tuition fee on the pretext that “Private school business is taken yet by the government. NIT No: MHCHD/TS/2020-21/06 schools have to pay salaries to a big industry. Can’t these “We have to take the suffer- Godfrey Phillips India teachers. But, on the ground, afford the salaries of teach- ings of the parents into ac- Dated: 12.05.2020 most of the schools deprived ers from their own account count before taking any de- SHORT TERM NOTICE INVITING TENDER helps Kashmir Police in its teachers of their salaries while without fleecing parents in cision. I will let you know, if some of them showed door to this time of pandemic? Why any order has been passed in Date of sale of tender documents. From 13.05.2020 to 26.05.2020 (2.00 P.M) these teachers. our government is so callous Secretariat in this regard or Last date of receipt of Tenders. 27.05.2020 upto 2PM. fight against Covid-19 Ironically, parents were and bureaucrats so heartless, not,” he said. (KNT) For & on behalf of the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir State, sealed tenders affixed with Rs.5/- revenuestamps are invited from the registered firms/Govt. Contractors for the below mentioned work: S. Description of work. Estimated Amount Cost of Time of Position Govt. Of Jammu & Kashmir No cost in of Earnest Tender completion of Funds Rupees Money, document Department of Materials Management (Purchase-II) in Rs. in Rs. 1 Servicing of Elgi make Air Compressor feeding med- 46415/- 950/- 200/- 07 Days Demanded Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, ical air supply at Govt. SMHS Hospital Srinagar. Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir J&K The tender must be accompanied with the requisite earnest money deposit in the shape of CDR/FDR drawn Tel: 0194-2401013/2400064 (Ext: 2170) Fax: 2403403 email: ammopurchase2@ skims.ac.in) from any scheduled/national bank and pledged in favour of Executive Engineer, MH&CH Division, Srinagar. The • SO NEWS DESK Sub: Extension in eNIT. tenders found without earnest money shall be rejected out rightly at the time of opening of tender. frontline duties. The tender document can be had from the office of the undersigned during working hours against cost Godfrey Phillips India Ref: eNIT No. SIMS 07 (P-II) of 2020 dated 11/03/2020. mentioned above, in the form of IPO/Demand Draft or Cash Payment. Tender documents shall be issued subject SRINAGAR: To help J&K Social Initiative for sup- The schedule dates for downloading & submission of tenders invited vide above referred eNIT for "Supply of to production of certificates to the following effect: Police in its fight against porting the real heroes in Electric Spares on Annual Rate Contract basis" at SKIMS, Soura Srinagar is hereby extended as per following: 1. Latest Sales tax clearance certificate/or as applicable as per new GST rules. Covid-19, Godfrey Phillips fight against Covid-19 pre- India, reaches out to Kash- sented the kits and appre- S.No. Description Date & time 2. J&K State Sales Tax Registration Certificate/ GST registration certificate. mir Police with PPE kits. ciated the role of Kashmir 1. Last date & time for submission of online tender 23/05/2020 (02:30 pm) 3. Documentary proof of having successfully executed similar nature of job in Government or Semi-Government Department. Today a Team of Godfrey Police for dealing with the 2. Date & time of opening of technical bids 27/05/2020 (04:00 pm) Phillips India called on IGP pandemic as frontline war- The tenders should reach the office of undersigned on 26.05.2020 upto 2 P.M and shall be opened on Kashmir Shri Vijay Ku- riors. In case of date of opening of Technical bids happen to be non-working day on any account, the same shall be the same day or any subsequent date convenient to the undersigned in presence of the tenderers who may be mar-IPS at ZPHQ Srinagar IGP Kashmir while ex- opened on next working day or any other day convenient to tender opening committee. present on the spot. The envelope containing tender should properly be superscripted with Tender Notice no, Name of work and and presented N-95/Surgical pressing gratitude, appreci- Other terms & conditions of the e NIT shall remain unchanged. masks, hand gloves, PPE ated the Social Initiative put Name of tenderer. Sd/- Sd/- kits, sanitizers etc for the forward by Godfrey Phillips No. SIMS 325-08-2020 -1015-21-4641-43 Asst.Materials Management Executive Engineer officials of Kashmir Police India to help the Police in Dated: 12/05/2020 officer Purchase -II Mechanical Hospital & Central Heating Division, Srinagar. performing Covid-19 related fighting against Covid-19. DIPK-770/20 SRINAGAR 04 OBSERVER SRINAGAR / FRIDAY / 15 MAY I 2020 EDIT

Remote work is good for COVID 19 business, and the world

NISSAR AHMAD BABA [email protected] IFEANYI M NSOFOR ALJAZEERA The entire world is on pause

n the last few months, as it became clear Because the COVID 19 is the cause. that the rapid spread of the novel coro- navirus would eventually overwhelm Today, the whole world is all alone Ihealth services, governments around the world started to mandate social distancing in public places to protect their citizens. Like the Sky with the lonely Sun. Social distancing, which typically in- volves keeping a certain distance from oth- COVID 19 is the problem of every nation ers and avoiding large gatherings, is a sound non-pharmaceutical intervention common- ly used during epidemics. It prevents per- This would lead to a drop in greenhouse losses in the US due to car crashes was above Because it has put everyone in isolation. son-to-person transmission of contagions gas emissions, which contribute to climate $75bn in 2017. and helps authorities to contain disease out- change. In the European Union, road trans- Remote work would also help reduce some COVID 19 only allows birds to fly breaks. portation accounts for 72 percent of total of the disadvantages women have in the In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, while in the workplace and contribute to maternal and many countries not only mandated basic so- US emissions from all transportation - cars, infant heath. Many women around the world Because a man only wants to pollute the Sky. cial distancing, but also closed down schools, trucks, trains, ships, aeroplanes and other ve- still do not have adequate maternity leave, shops and offices, cancelled all conferences hicles - make up 29 percent. and others choose not to use the maternity COVID 19 has made people sad, and meetings, and banned domestic and in- The world has already seen an average of a leave they have in full because they cannot ternational travel. 6 percent drop in greenhouse gases amid the survive on the limited maternity pay they These shutdowns sent economies into coronavirus pandemic due to lockdowns and receive or are scared of harming their career To make them more mad. meltdown and caused real financial hard- industry shutdowns. While it would be impos- prospects by staying away from the office for ship for small businesses and people in the sible to keep to this level after the end of the too long. Many new mothers who return to COVID 19 doesn’t discriminate gig economy in many countries. Some com- pandemic, remote work can help us hold on work a few months - or even weeks - after giv- panies, whose workers are able to work re- to some of the environmental gains we made ing birth also face a difficult choice between motely, however, managed to not only con- during this crisis. either giving up on breastfeeding completely Because it only knows to attack. tinue business as usual amid the chaos, but It is easy to see how fewer cars on our or enduring the stresses of pumping milk in increase their employees’ productivity. roads could help mitigate the harmful ef- the workplace. Remote work can resolve all COVID 19 has compelled us to follow lockdown The success of remote work is no coinci- fects of climate change. This could also mean these issues. New mothers can return to work dence. Studies have shown that when it is densely populated cities would be less pollut- in the comfort of their homes, not endure long done right, remote work can improve em- ed, residents would have access to fresher air commutes before their bodies fully recov- Because the whole world is unacquainted with a shutdown. ployee productivity, creativity and morale. and children would be less vulnerable to ill- er, remain close to their babies even during It has also been established that remote work nesses like pneumonia. working hours, and breastfeed or pump com- leads workers to take fewer sick days and less With cleaner air, improvements in health fortably in private. Nobody has ever thought of facing this season vacation time, resulting in more workdays can happen fast. As a report from the Amer- To be sure, remote work also has some overall. Moreover, it can save businesses ican Thoracic Society notes, “Within a few disadvantages, for some workers, such as de- Because everyone is in a visible prison or an invisible prison. thousands of dollars a month per employee in weeks, respiratory and irritation symptoms, creased work-life balance, isolation and man- office and other expenses. such as shortness of breath, cough, phlegm, agement difficulties. But businesses can over- After being compelled to invest in tools and sore throat, disappear; school absentee- come these challenges by building up strong The religious places are being closed that make remote work easier and more ef- ism, clinic visits, hospitalisations, premature communication channels between employ- ficient due to the coronavirus pandemic, and births, cardiovascular illness and death, and ees, listening and addressing the workers’ Like a bomb has been exploded. experiencing the benefits of this new work all-cause mortality decrease significantly.” concerns and making sure that employees model, many companies are considering al- Further, eliminating the stress of commut- have the ability to switch off from work and lowing their employees to work from home ing could lead to lower blood pressure and a focus on their private lives on weekends and Many babies have died in wombs, indefinitely. decrease in risks associated with cardiovas- after-hours. Social media giant Twitter recently an- cular diseases such as hypertension, which, It is also true that not everyone can work As there is increase in the number of tombs. nounced that it would support employees, according to the World Health Organization from home, and remote-work is only an op- who are able and willing to work from home (WHO), causes 7.5 million deaths globally ev- tion for a privileged minority who work in to do so “forever”. Many other tech giants, ery year. some white-collar industries. Nevertheless, Some people say that it has spread due to rats from Facebook to Google, also said they are Fewer vehicles on roads would also result remote work practices benefit all members planning to support remote work “for the in fewer traffic accidents. According to the of the society, including the ones who are not Because they blame the bats. foreseeable future”. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, able, or willing, to work from home. If every- The business world’s apparent move to- globally, road traffic crashes was the sixth one who can work from home does work from wards remote work is good news not only leading cause of death in 2017. According home, others will enjoy easier, safer, less Some are claiming that it is a biological war for companies themselves and their employ- to WHO, in 2018 alone, 1.35 million people stressful commutes, cleaner streets, better air ees, but also for the wider society and the around the world lost their lives in road traf- quality and less overwhelmed public health Because they call it the last war. environment. Businesses can help the fight fic accidents. On average, road traffic crashes services. against climate change and protect public cause 3,287 deaths per day, and injure or dis- It is clear that coronavirus is redefining health by continuing to support remote able thousands of others. Estimates by the US the future of work and providing a great op- The whole world is in search of medicine work where possible even after the end of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention portunity for establishing long-term policies this pandemic. show that every year, 3 million people are in- that can increase the health and happiness Because the sin of the present is not a sin. Widespread remote work practices would jured in nonfatal crashes in the US. Further- of employees and nations, while also helping reduce the number of vehicles on our roads. more, medical care costs and productivity businesses increase their profits.

Safe Ramadan and Eid ul Fitr Practices in COVID-19 times DO’s and Don’t’s

religious rituals even with the reinforce- to severe disease and death from COVID-19. alcohol) at the entrance to and inside mosques. 11) What else should one avoid so as to stay ment of these measures? • Ensure the availability of disposable tis- safe? 8)What precautions should be taken in sues and bins with disposable liners and lids, Tobacco use is ill-advised under any cir- After the cancellation of social and religious case lockdown restrictions are eased and and guarantee the safe disposal of waste. cumstances, especially during Ramadan and gatherings, whereever possible, virtual alterna- gatherings are allowed again? • Encourage the use of personal prayer rugs the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequent smokers tives using platforms such as television, radio, The following measures should be applied to to place over carpets. may already have lung disease, or reduced lung digital, and social media can be used instead. any gathering occurring during Ramadan, such • Enforce routine cleaning of venues where capacity, which greatly increases the risk of DR MOHAMMAD HAYAT MD DM , DR. JUNAID RASHID MD Sermons can be given online by our religious as prayers, gathering for last rituals of a deceased people gather before and after each event, using serious COVID-19 illness.When smoking ciga- heads so that others sitting away can listen and (Jenazah), and communal meals or banquets. detergents and disinfectants. rettes, the fingers (and possibly contaminated watch .If gatherings are allowed again to pro- • Consider holding the event outdoors if pos- • In mosques, keep the premises and wudu cigarettes) touch the lips, which increases the ceed, measures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 sible; otherwise, ensure that the indoor venue facilities clean, and maintain general hygiene likelihood of the virus entering the respiratory 1) Why is there a need to stress for safe transmission should be implemented. has adequate ventilation and air flow and sanitation. system. When water pipes are used, it is likely practices in current scenario? • Shorten the length of the event as much as • Frequently clean often-touched objects that mouth pieces and hoses are shared, which 5)Are there any guidelines for local mosque possible to limit potential exposure such as doorknobs, light switches, and stair also facilitates transmission of the virus. The holy month of Ramadan is marked by committees? • Give preference to holding smaller services railings with detergents and disinfectant. social and religious gatherings with fewer attendees more often, rather than 12) How to promote mental health in the where Muslims unite to break their fast to- Religious leaders have to be actively en- hosting large gatherings 10) How can we maintain physical activity lockdown? gether. There is also increased gaged in communicating any decision affecting • Adhere to physical distancing among amid restrictions? Yes the situation is troublesome especially for attendance at mosques during the month events connected with Ramadan. Clear instruc- attendees, both when seated and standing, those who are not able to do daily routine business and congregations for longer tions should be given and the importance of fol- through creating and assigning fixed places, During the COVID-19 pandemic, many earnings, who are away from home and already prayers for taraweehand qiyam.Hence there lowing policies reinforced. The communication including when praying, performing wudu (rit- people are restricted in their movements; but, suffering from depressive illnesses. Psychological is need for public health advice for social and strategy should also include proactive messag- ual ablutions) in communal washing facilities, if restrictions allow, always practice physi- breakdown is known to occur in such a scenario. religious practices and gatherings during Ra- ing on healthy behaviors during the pandemic as well as in areas dedicated to shoe storage. cal distancing and proper hand hygiene even Ensure that family, friends, and elders are still en- madan 2020 year that can be applied around the and use different media platforms. during any exercise activity. In lieu of outdoor gaged in light of physical distancing; encouraging world to control the spread of COVID-19. activities, indoor physical movement and on- alternate and digital platforms for interaction. Of- 6)How to implement physical distancing? line physical activity classes are encouraged. fering special prayers for the sick, alongside mes- 2) How can religious practices and social Diabetes patients who need to go for regular ex- sages of hope and comfort, are methods to observe rituals affect COVID 19 transmission? Given the fact that all viral illness including seasonal flu & • Practice physical distancing by strictly swine flu (influenza Virus) which transmit via respiratory ercise can walk diagonally in a spacious room the tenents of Ramadan while maintaining public maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter (3 droplet method show surge in winter months, these in a figure of 8.Simillarly use of skipping rope, health.In settings where movement restrictions The transmission of COVID-19 is facilitated feet) between people at all times. precautionary measures obviously need to betaken for playing badminton, Gardenind, washing your are in place, incidents of domestic violence, par- by close contact between people, as the virus is • Use culturally and religiously sanctioned extended period of time. carare all good options. ticularly against women, children, and marginal- spread through respiratory droplets and con- greetings that avoid physical contact, such as wav- Proper nutrition and hydration are vital ized people, may increase. Religious leaders can tact with contaminated surfaces. ing, nodding, or placing the hand over the heart. during the month of Ramadan. People should actively speak out against violence and provide • Stop large numbers of people gathering eat a variety of fresh and unprocessed foods ev- support or encourage victims to seek help. Psychi- 3)What genuine actions can be taken to in places associated with Ramadan activities, 9)In case the restrictions are eased, and ery day and drink plenty of water. atric consultations can be done telephonically and contain the spread? such as entertainment venues, markets, and congregational prayers are held what is in personal with doctors shops. the checklist for concerned mosque au- Physical distancing measures aimed mea- thorities? Staying indoor amid lockdown does not mean you remain inactive. sures are fundamental to control the spread 7)What is the advice to high-risk groups? Regular physical activity can still be done while at home, maintaining social distancing norms.This is of paramount importance for patients

of infectious diseases, particularly respiratory • People who are feeling unwell or have any Muslims perform wudu before prayers, suffering from Diabetes mellitus, Obesity, PCOD,Hypertension and infections, associated with large gatherings of symptoms of COVID-19 should avoid attending which helps maintain healthy hygiene. The Psychiatric disorders. In addition to walking diagonally in a figure of 8 in attic or spacious room, activities like gardening, washing your car, exercise These safe practices need to be maintained even when the people.These include the closing of mosques, congregational events. following additional measures should be con- like pushups etc stand good options to remain busy and avoid boredom curve of infectivity and death shows a downward trend. monitoring of public gatherings and other re- • People with pre-existing medical condi- sidered: and weight gain. Let us not forget the Spanish Flu of 1918 , Where the 2nd peak of pandemic was devastating strictions on movement. tions (such asdiabetes, hypertension, lung/liv- • Ensure that handwashing facilities are due to sudden give away of safe practices er/heart/ kidney ailments, and cancer) should adequately equipped with soap and water and 4) Can we still participate collectively for not to attend gatherings, as they are vulnerable provide alcohol-based hand-rub (at least 70%

Printer, Publisher, Owner & Editor: Parvaiz Ahmad Khan Exe. Editor: Raja Muzamil Published From: Dadi Kadal Tanki Pora D.C Office Road, Srinagar Kashmir -190001, Cell No: +91-9419007532, +91-9419007530 Tele/Fax: 0194-2486069 Printed at : Khidmat Offset Press The Bund Srinagar Regd : JKNP-177 RNI No: JKENG/2012/43267 SRINAGAR 05 OBSERVER Srinagar / fRIdAY / 15 May i 2020 News

Sakhi-OSC Rajouri DGP Sanctions 76 Lakh Distributes Personal Health Special Welfare Relief Care Items Among Villagers DC Reviews Arrangements At Quarantine Centres, Interacts With Arriving Residents

SO NEWS DESK

JAMMU: In order to provide help to the families of the Police personnel who have passed away in IMRAN KHAN harness, the Director General of Police Shri Dilbag Singh has sanctioned rupees 76 lakh as Special Wel- RAJOURI: On the directions of *District Development fare Relief in favour of dependents/legal heirs of Commissioner Rajouri Mohd Nazir Sheikh and under four such deceased Police personnel. the supervision of Nodal officer of OSC Rajouri Mr. Bi- The special welfare relief of rupees 19 lakh each lal Rashid Mir.* has been sanctioned in favour of dependents/legal OSC Rajouri and ICPS, in an effort to generate Aware- heirs of four deceased Police personnel SI Subash ness among the villagers on CoronaVirus pandemic,dis- Chander, Sgct Bhabishan Raj, Constable Raj Singh tributed personal health care items including masks and and Follower Suresh Kumar who expired during sanitizers among the villagers at Tehsil Kotranka in pres- service due to health related issues. ence of Block Development Chairperson Budhal,Javed Rupees one lakh each was already paid to the de- Iqbal Chowdhary. ceased family for performing the last rites as imme- The Administrator OSC Rajouri and legal cum Pro- quarantined centres and also reviewed Balkhi, Masarat Hashim, Jt Director diate relief by the concerned units. The financial as- bation officer during one to one interaction with house- SO NEWS DESK implementation of safety protocol by Planning Mohammad Yaseen Lone, sistance has been given out of Contributory Police holds informed about various precautionary measures the staff. He interacted with the resi- Chief Medical Officer Dr Jahangir Welfare Fund. which can be taken to prevent the virus infection and SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner, dents and obtained feedback about ar- Bakhshi and other officers visited TRC Meanwhile the DGP has also sanctioned meritori- advised them to follow the SOPs norms. Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary vis- rangements. In view of requirements where arrangements have been put in ous scholarship of rupees forty-eight thousand with *Administrator OSC Nitu Sharma* said that District ited more than two dozen quarantine baby food, medicines and other items place for registeration and screening an aim to promote the merit and instill a spirit of Administration is always with the general public in centres in Panthanchowk, Nowgam, were dispatched to respective hotels. in arrival from Udhampur, Jammu, competition in favour of ten wards of serving SPOs this tough time of COVID19 pandemic and is commit- Shalteng, South, Khanyar and North It is pertinent to mention here that Kathua as well as Srinagar airport for securing 80% and above marks in the annual ex- ted to provide the best possible assistance to them to Tehsils to review the arrangements hoteliers in Srinagar have provided . They interacted with the residents amination of Class 10th & 12th during the academic mitigate their sufferings.She added that the need of the and interacted with residents arriving their hotels as quarantine centres and reporting at TRC after travel from var- session. The amount has been sanctioned out of Po- hour is to remain extra cautious all the time to remain from different states. packed food is being provided to more ious states. In many case of old-age, lice Pariwar Fund. safe from this deadly virus. More than 90 hotels across the city have than 4000 guests. Health department serious ailments and diseases special The scholarship of rupees six thousand each has She also interacted with the women and made aware been taken over by the administration has conducted sampling of 1800 persons arrangements were allowed for such been granted in favour of Sumeet Bhagat (class them about the objectives of the ‘Sakhi’, a one stop cen- and designated as quarantine centres. An- and more than 500 test reports have persons. A dedicated team has also been 10th), Ashish Parihar, Faizan Ahmad Shah and tre that,it provides support and assistance to women other batch of 1214 persons from Udham- been made available. The issue raised deployed for logistics in such cases. Quratul Umaid all students of class 12th for secur- affected by violence, sexual exploitation, physical or pur, Jammu and Kathua arrival points by residents about delay in test reports The DC also visited Zakura and Haz- ing 90% and above marks. Rupees four thousand mental torture, dowry and domestic violence. It also reached Srinagar taking the number to was also discussed threadbare during ratbal quarantine centres, along with each has been granted in favour of Asrar Ahmad provides police, medical and legal help to such victims. more than 4000 in last one week. the visit of Deputy Commissioner and Tehsildar North Dr Haroon Rashid Ganie, Jhonit Singh, Aabiru Mashooqa, Ifla Tariq, She also advised that they can register their grievances Dr Shahid interacted with manage- the procedure involved in the process in and other officers. He interacted with Aiman Nabi and Nidash Ahmad Bhat for securing at 181 and they can also report their nearby Anganwadi ment staff of quarantine centres, field view of huge numbers of arrivals in var- inmates as well. Later, he visited 80% and above marks in class 10th. workers if there's any violence against the women. officials and housekeeping staff. He ious districts being catered by SKIMS Red Zones names Lal Bazar, Eidgah, Police headquarters has launched many schemes Moreover the Legal cum Probationary Officer also visited the premises to oversee the and GMC was informed. Ahmed Nagar, Chhatabal and Rain- for the welfare of its personnel and their families. ICPS,Shivangi kant sudan also interacted with villagers facilities and requirements in place. Earlier the Deputy Commissioner, awari for overall review and arrange- There are also schemes for the wards of Police per- and made them aware about the child and women orient- He inspected the basic facilities at accompanied by ADCs Syed Hanief ments in place for essential services. sonnel and SPOs. Besides, there are schemes for the ed Schemes.She also advised them to follow the instruc- NoKs of martyrs, their wards as also for the retired tions and follow the SOPs to break the chain of COVID-19. Police personnel and their spouses.

Most COVID-19 patients Offer Shab-e-Qadar prayers at Idara Falah e Aam asymptomatic, such home: Grand Mufti to people Issue Movement Passes donates PPE kits to persons pose grave risk: To Stranded Labourers: quarantine facility HoD CD hospital ‘Eid Nimaz Can’t Be Congress Tells Govt AGENCIES at SP College Offered At Home’ SO NEWS DESK Eid Ul Fitr. SRINAGAR: Asking people to strictly fol- They said dozens of SO NEWS DESK low guidelines, including maintaining social AGENCIES SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Stranded Migrant Labour- distancing and proper hygiene, to combat Kashmir Pradesh Congress ers have booked their train SRINAGAR: Idara Falah e Aam COVID-19, Chest Disease Hospital, Head of SRINAGAR: As the holy month of Ra- Committee (JKPCC) today tickets in coming days from Wakaf, Alamgari Bazar, donat- Department, Dr Naveed Shah on Thursday madhan is in progress, Grand Mufti urged the JK Govt to issue Jammu and they need to be ed number of Personal Protective said that as most Coronavirus positive pa- Thursday appealed people to offer Shab- movement passes to Migrant issued movement passes at Equipment (PPE) kits to persons en- tients are asymptomatic or have mild signs e-Qadar prayers at home and avoid any Labourers, besides allowing the earliest, enabling them to gaged with the running of COVID-19 they pose a grave risk of infecting high risk kind of social gatherings amid the Coro- the stranded Kashmiris to board the train at appropri- quarantine facility at Boys Hostel population. navirus outbreak in Kashmir Valley. leave Jammu for Srinagar. ate time, they said. SP College, Srinagar. “Most carriers of Coronavirus infection Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said that Senior Congress Leaders Both Mohd Amin Bhat and The COVID-19 Wellness Centre have either mild signs or asymptomatic. It that the virus can be eradicated if peo- and Ex. Legislators Mohd Gulzar Ahmad Wani laid em- has been established by District ad- is a dangerous trend as such people, who ple follow the lockdown norms strictly. prayers collectively and this can’t be Amin Bhat & Gulzar Ahmad phasis over the allowing has- ministration Srinagar. are asymptomatic, they can infect others, “If we follow government instruc- offered at homes individually,” he said. Wani have expressed serious sle free movement of Migrant This humanitarian gesture has including people in high risk category,” Dr tions, we will be able to eradicate “Eid prayer is congregational prayer concern over the delay in Labourers from Kashmir, been highly appreciated by the col- Shah said. Covid-19 soon. The holy month of Ra- and it can’t be offered at home. I will talk issuing movement passes to similarly the stranded Kash- lege administration and the people He said the high risk category includes madhan is in progress. Prayers are to administration in this regard,” he said. Migrant Labourers, who are miri Laboures and students who are being benefited through people who have weak immune system like being offered at homes and now I urge Pertinently, Saudi Arabia's grand stranded at different places be facilitated to return to these PPE kits. elderly or people with disease that weakens upon people to offer the prayers of mufti, the highest religious authority in entire Kashmir valley due Kashmir from Jammu, they While distributing PPE kits, Prin- immune system. “The diseases could be di- Shab-e-Qadar in their homes as well. in the kingdom, has said prayers during to the lockdown. urged the Govt. cipal SP College Prof. Khurshid Ah- abetes, problem in lungs, kidney, heart and This I am saying because Coronavirus Ramadan and the subsequent Eid ul-Fit- They also expressed sur- JK Govt must instruct the mad Khan lauded the role of Idara chronic disease,” he added. threat is still looming and it is not yet ar prayers should be performed at home prise over the delay in facil- officials to speed-up the work Falah e Aam Wakaf for their generous Dr Shah said the high risk people could over,” Grand Mufti said. if the coronavirus outbreak continues. itating return of Kashmiri and attach more importance contributions and hoped that the or- develop sever problem and could result in When asked about the Eid-ul-Fitar "Ramadan's Taraweeh (evening) students, Labourers who to the issue of Migrant La- ganization will continue their efforts complications. prayers, Grand Mufti said that he will prayer can be performed at home if it are stranded in Jammu and bourers inorder to ensure in future also so that others will be So far 11 lives have been lost due to talk to administration in this regard. cannot be performed at mosques due to urged the JK Govt to allow that they get movement pass- motivated to join this noble cause. COVID-19 in the Union Territory of Jammu “It has to be seen if administration the preventive measures taken to fight them to return to their re- es without any further delay, The Principal also thanked all and Kashmir, where around 1000 people allows people to offer Eid prayers or the spread of coronavirus," Grand Muf- spective places in Kashmir as that, they are desperate the team members engaged with the have been tested positive for the infection not. If it doesn’t, that means people ti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh said in keeping view the upcoming enough to reach their respec- running of this COVID-19 Wellness while about 500 people have been cured and can’t offer Eid pryers even at home. response to a question, adding that the occasion of Shab I Qader and tive places, they added. Centre for their cooperation during discharged from hospitals.(UNI) Eid prayers are offered as ‘shukrana’ same applies for Eid prayers. (KNT) these testing times. DDC Shopian Visits Block Harman, DC Inaugurates Decontamination Tunnel Reviews Developmental Works Installed At Mini Secretariat Ganderbal

SO NEWS DESK SO NEWS DESK

SHOPIAN: - District Develop- GANDERBAL: The Depu- ment Commissioner, Shopian ty Commissioner Ganderbal, Choudhary Mohammad Yasin to- Shafqat Iqbal today inaugu- day visited block Harman Shopi- rated decontamination tunnel an where works under MGNRE- installed at the entry point of GA and other schemes have been Mini secretariat, Ganderbal to resumed to boost rural economy ensure employees and visiting during lockdown period. persons get sanitized instantly DDC said that the main aim while entering the Mini secre- is that the people of the rural ar- tariat premises. eas especially those who belong While lauded the efforts of to far-flung areas can earn their ment has constructed a road from of rural development in the District Municipal Committee, he di- livelihood with ease. Masjid Sharief to Dragud at Chakoo- Shopian are for effective and timely rected the concerned to ensure During the visit DDC said that ra coming up with an estimated cost compilation for their subsequent that each and every person in- the department of rural develop- of rupees 4.87 Lacs and generated benefits to the intending sections cluding employees visiting DC ment meant to create durable assets Man work days under the scheme of the society. Efforts are being office must pass through this in the far flung areas and to pro- and benefited 1700 beneficiaries. made by the department of rural decontamination tunnel and get vide livelihood to the economically The department also under 14fc development for upliftment of sanitized. for which funds are provided tire district and will help in effec- Ahmad Baba, President Mu- weaker sections of the society is in- scheme constructed a culvert with weaker sections through special Meanwhile, the DC also kicks by the district administration tive disinfectant spray in urban as nicipal Committee Ganderbal, creasing man work days under vari- an estimated cost of rupees 2.95 lacs. schemes and programs. off the mist blower toed on trac- under SDRF. well as rural areas of the district. advocate Altaf Ahmad, EO Mu- ous schemes such as MGNREGA, 14 The developmental works being ACD, BDO and other concerned tor which is procured by Mu- The DC said that mist blower The DC was accompanied nicipality, G M lone and other fc etc . For this purpose the depart- executed under various schemes officers accompanied the DDC. nicipal Committee Ganderbal will be used for sanitization in en- by ADC Ganderbal, Farooq concerned officials. SRINAGAR 06 OBSERVER SRINAGAR / FRIDAY / 15 MAY I 2020 BUSINESS

Govt releases truncated April WPI inflation Accept loan repayment offer, close case against me: data; 10% deflation in fuel, power basket Vijay Mallya asks govt

New Delhi: The government on from manufactured products group Thursday released truncated data have provisionally increased from for April wholesale price-based 146.1 in March 2020 to 146.6 in April inflation saying there was limited 2020. transaction of products in the mar- The rate of inflation based on WPI ket due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Food Index decreased from 5.49 per As per the data released by the cent in March, 2020 to 3.60 per cent Commerce and Industry Ministry, in April, 2020. wholesale price index (WPI) defla- In March wholesale price infla- tion in primary articles was 0.79 per tion eased to a four-month low of an cent in April, as against an inflation official statement said one per cent, of 3.72 per cent in March. from 2.26 per cent in February, on New Delhi: Embattled li- lines, who is wanted in In- The fuel and power basket saw a sharp fall in prices of food and fuel quor baron Vijay Mallya, dia over alleged fraud and deflation of 10.12 per cent in April, items as demand slowed. who is fighting against his money laundering charges against 1.76 per cent deflation in the Earlier this week, the National Sta- extradition to India, on amounting to estimated Rs previous month. tistical Office (NSO) also deferred the Thursday asked the gov- 9,000 crore, added,"Please "In view of the limited transac- release of retail or consumer price ernment to accept his offer take my money uncondi- tions of products in the wholesale index based inflation for April saying to repay 100 per cent of his tionally and close." market in April 2020 due to the that the nationwide lockdown pre- loan dues and close case Earlier this month, Mal- spread of COVID-19, it has been de- vented officials from collecting price against him. lya had filed an appeal in cided to release the price movement data at various centres. While congratulating the UK Supreme Court after of selected sub-groups/groups of The data collected telephonically the Indian government losing an appeal in the Lon- WPI, following the principles of ad- showed increased in prices of com- over the Rs 20 lakh crore don High Court against an equacy,” an official statement said. modities like milk products, fruits economic package, Mallya extradition order to India on All commodities WPI could not and vegetables. lamented that his repeat- alleged charges of fraud and be computed for April-2020 due to The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ed offers to repay his dues money laundering related to non- availability of manufactured Price indices of these major The data (ex-factory prices) was cal and botanical products, and ba- takes into account retail inflation while have been ignored. unrecovered loans to King- product group index, it added. groups (primary articles and fuel collected through electronic means sic metals. formulating its monetary policy. "Congratulations to the fisher Airlines. It said the price indices of pri- & power) were released for April of communications from selected Prices of manufacture of food The RBI had last month said that Government for a Covid In the past, Mallya had mary articles have been computed 2020 with standard procedures. No factories and institutional sources. products (-0.29 per cent), pharma- its inflation outlook looks benign, 19 relief package. They can tweeted that he had offered based on mandi prices of agricultur- changes in estimation procedures The price movement of these sub- ceuticals, medicinal chemical and with risks around inflation proj- print as much currency to pay 100 per cent of the al items; ex-mine prices of minerals; were done, it added. groups/groups of WPI was worked botanical products (-0.15 per cent) ect being balanced. With softening as they want but should a amount borrowed by King- prices of crude petroleum and natu- With regard to inflation in manu- out by taking the prices of only and basic metals (-0.84 per cent) pro- of food prices, sharp fall in crude small contributor like me fisher Airlines to the banks ral gas. factured products, the ministry said those items for which at least 25 per visionally declined, whereas prices prices and normal monsoon, RBI who offers 100% payback but neither banks were Price indices of fuel and power in view of the preventive measures cent of price quotations were report- of chemicals and chemical products expects inflation for current fiscal of State owned Bank loans willing to take the money major group have been computed and announcement of nationwide ed from the selected manufacturing (0.86 per cent) and beverages (0.24 to be in the range of 3.6-3.8 per cent. be constantly ignored?" he nor the Enforcement Di- based on the price data reported lockdown by the government to con- units. per cent) provisionally increased It said the impact of COVID-19 on said in a tweet. rectorate was willing to from Ministry of Petroleum and tain spread of COVID-19, the price Indices were compiled only for in April compared to the previous inflation is ambiguous, with a pos- Mallya, promoter of the release his attached assets Natural Gas, selected public sector collection of manufactured prod- five manufacturing groups - manu- month, it added. sible decline in food prices likely to defunct Kingfisher Air- at the behest of the banks. undertakings (PSUs), Office of the ucts through personal visits of price facture of food products, beverages, The ministry said food index con- be offset by potential cost-push in- Coal Controller and Central Elec- collectors was suspended with effect chemicals and chemical products, sisting of ”food articles' from prima- creases in prices of non-food items tricity Authority. from March 19. pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemi- ry articles group and 'food products' due to supply disruptions. Oil prices edge higher on surprise US stock drawdown, but Sensex plummets 886 points, UK court plays video of Nirav Modi's death demand concerns linger Nifty cracks below 9,200 threats to 'dummy directors' Mumbai: Equity benchmark Further, investor reaction Sensex plunged 886 points on to the first set of measures in London: Threats of being Scotland Yard on March 19, Thursday, tracking heavy the relief package announce- implicated for theft and even 2019. The jeweller remains losses in index heavyweights ment by Finance Minister being killed are among the al- behind bars at Wandsworth Reliance Industries, HDFC Nirmala Sitharaman was legations caught on camera in Prison in south-west London twins, Infosys and ICICI mixed and traders await fol- a video recorded by so-called since then, failing to get bail Bank amid a selloff in global low up announcements, he "dummy directors" associat- despite repeated attempts. markets. noted. ed with companies linked to A second extradition re- Further, market players "During the afternoon ses- Nirav Modi, which was sub- quest, relating to "causing SEOUL: Oil prices crept past two weeks as some were disappointed as the im- sion, market further weak- mitted by the CBI to the UK the disappearance of evi- up on Thursday, support- countries relaxed corona- mediate spend out of the gov- ened as truncated WPI data court hearing the extradition dence" and intimidating wit- ed by a surprise decline of virus restrictions and lock- ernment's Rs 20 lakh crore added to the pessimism," he case against the diamond mer- nesses or "criminal intimida- U.S. crude inventories, but downs, giving hope for a fiscal stimulus package was said. chant charged with fraud and tion to cause death", was also gains were capped by wor- pickup in fuel demand. seen to be relatively small, As per data released by money laundering. certified earlier this year. ries that a potential second The mood in the mar- raising doubts about the the Commerce and Industry A group of six Indian men While the hearing to es- wave of the coronavirus ket has also been boosted revival of growth any time Ministry, wholesale price can be heard in the video tablish a prima facie case pandemic might trigger major oil producers' com- soon, experts said. index (WPI) deflation in pri- played at Westminster Mag- tor of Auragem Company Exports and Stellar Dia- against Modi is ongoing in fresh lockdowns and slam mitments to curb output After crashing over 955 mary articles was 0.79 per istrates' Court in London Limited, Hong Kong; Shreed- monds making fraudulent London this week, the ex- fuel demand once again. to help restore supply-de- points during the day, the cent in April, as against an during the trial this week, har Mayekar, the namesake use of a credit facility offered tradition trial will conclude Brent crude futures rose mand balance. 30-share index settled 885.72 inflation of 3.72 per cent in with each of them making owner of Unique Diamond by the Punjab National Bank only in September once 6 cents, or 0.2%, to $29.25 The Organization of Pe- points or 2.77 per cent lower March. allegations of being forced to and Jewellery, Azman; and (PNB), known as "letters of the second part of the case per barrel at 0045 GMT. troleum Exporting Coun- at 31,122.89. The fuel and power basket leave Dubai and come to Cai- Nileshkumar Balwantrai undertaking" (LoUs). and the defence arguments U.S. West Texas Interme- tries (OPEC) and its allies Similarly, the broader saw a deflation of 10.12 per ro, Egypt, where their pass- Mistry, the namesake owner According to the govern- against prison conditions at diate (WTI) crude futures including Russia agreed in NSE Nifty tanked 240.80 cent in April, against 1.76 per ports were confiscated and of Hamilton Precious Trad- ment of India's case, a num- Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai were up 8 cents, or 0.3%, to April to curtail their pro- points, or 2.57 per cent, to cent deflation in the previ- were allegedly made to sign ers Limited in Dubai. ber of PNB staff conspired are heard. $25.37 a barrel. duction by 9.7 million bar- 9,142.75. ous month. dubious documents against Speaking in a mix of Hindi with Modi to ensure LoUs The UK's Crown Prosecu- Crude stocks in the rels per day (bpd) in May Tech Mahindra was the Meanwhile, Asian mar- their will by Modi's brother, and Gujarati, they are heard were issued to these compa- tion Service (CPS), present- United States had billowed and June. top laggard in the Sensex kets were in the red after the Nehal Modi. saying that they are making nies without ensuring they ing the arguments in court since mid-January on fall- Saudi Arabia, de facto pack, cracking over 5 per World Health Organization "My name is Ashish Ku- the recording as they fear for were subject to the required on behalf of the Indian au- ing fuel demand around leader of OPEC, also said it cent, followed by Infosys, warned that the coronavirus mar Mohanbhai Lad, I am their safety and just want to credit check, without record- thorities, has sought to estab- the world as a result of the would cut its oil output by HDFC, IndusInd Bank, Reli- "may never go away". the namesake owner of Sun- go back to India but are being ing the issuance of the LoUs lish a pattern of dishonest be- pandemic. an additional 1 million bpd ance Industries and NTPC. On top of that, US Federal shine Gems Limited, Hong held against their will. and without charging the re- haviour on the part of Modi But U.S. crude invento- to 7.5 million bpd starting On the other hand, Hero Reserve chief Jerome Powell Kong, and Unity Trading "We have signed the docu- quired commission upon the when he acquired the LoUs ries fell by 745,000 barrels in June. MotoCorp, L&T, Maruti, warned of a "highly uncer- Fze, Dubai," says one of the ment because they will not transactions. This resulted and also in their dispersal to 531.5 million barrels in In Europe, demand for UltraTech Cement and Sun tain" outlook for the world's men on the recording from give back our passports until in a fraud amounting to near- across a complex worldwide the week to May 8, the En- petrol and diesel has be- Pharma led the gainers' top economy. June 2018. we sign," says Jethwa. ly USD 2 billion. empire. ergy Information Adminis- gun a slow recovery as chart. Bourses in Shanghai, Hong "Nirav Modi phoned me These witnesses relate to Modi claims to have come Modi's defence team have tration said on Wednesday, governments eased coro- Indian market opened on a Kong, Tokyo and Seoul closed and told me that he would im- the Enforcement Directorate to the UK ahead of a planned claimed a paucity of evidence comforting the market navirus curbs and vehicle negative note following over- with losses. Stock exchanges plicate me for theft. He used (ED) discovery that dummy initial public offering (IPO) to prove dishonesty and also after analysts in a Reu- traffic increased in major night negative close in US in Europe were also trading the worst expletives told me directors/owners/managers but an Interpol Red Notice questioned the admissibility ters poll had forecast a 4.1 cities, according to data markets as the Fed warned on a negative note in early that he would get me killed were appointed in a num- was issued against him be- of some of the evidence. million barrel increase. provided to Reuters by that the coronavirus crisis deals. he did so much to us," he says ber of overseas companies fore he was traced to a plush A ruling in the extradition [EIA/S] location technology com- raises longer-term growth International oil bench- in Hindi. in Hong Kong and Dubai, rented apartment at Centre hearing to establish whether "U.S. commercial crude pany TomTom. concerns and could result mark Brent crude futures The other Central Bu- though the companies re- Point in central London ear- Modi has a case to answer in stocks unexpectedly fell However, concerns over in an extended period of low surged 3.85 per cent to USD reau of Investigation (CBI) mained under the direct con- ly last year. the Indian courts and that last week, adding to grow- a possible second wave productivity growth and 30.32 per barrel.On the witnesses include Rushabh trol of Modi. An extradition request there are no human rights ing evidence that the U.S. weighed on prices as new stagnant incomes, said Nar- currency front, the rupee Jethwa, who says he is the The charges against the from the Indian government barriers to him being extra- oil market has passed the coronavirus cases have endra Solanki, Head- Equity slipped 10 paise to provision- namesake owner of Empire 49-year-old diamond mer- was certified by the UK dited to India is expected worst," Capital Economics emerged in South Korea Research (Fundamental), ally close at 75.56 against the Gems FZE in Sharjah; Sonu chant centre around his Home Office in February only after the second hearing said in a note. and China after they soft- Anand Rathi. US dollar. Mehta, the namesake direc- firms Diamonds R Us, Solar last year before his arrest by in the case in September. Prices have risen in the ened restrictions.

Power discoms to get ₹90,000-cr liquidity fund as demand drops Stocks in global markets drop as coronavirus recovery begins to look distant New Delhi: The government on will be disbursed in two tranches and Wednesday announced a ”90,000 crore be linked to certain reforms such as Singapore: Stock markets fell ket in Asia fell. Bonds and “It is important to put this liquidity injection into fund-starved increasing digital payment interfac- and bonds were in demand the dollar held ground won on the table: this virus may electricity distribution companies es; prepaid metering in government on Thursday as worries grew overnight. become just another endem- (discoms) as part of a stimulus pack- departments; and coming up with a about a second wave of coro- FTSE futures and EuroS- ic virus in our communities, age to revive the country’s battered concrete plan to reduce losses. navirus infections and a dour TOXX 50 futures dropped and this virus may never go economy. This comes amid India’s proposed assessment from the head of about 0.5%, while futures for away,” WHO emergencies The announcement, made by fi- distribution reforms scheme—tenta- the US Federal Reserve dashed the S&P 500 struggled to lift expert Mike Ryan told an on- nance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, tively named Atal Distribution Sys- hopes for a quick economic re- much above flat. line briefing on Wednesday. is one of the measures in the first tem Improvement Yojana (Aditya)— covery. MSCI’s broadest index of Bonds and the dollar ral- tranche of a stimulus package to com- to cut electricity losses below 12%. “The path ahead is both Asia-Pacific shares outside lied after Powell talked down bat the economic disruption that has The scheme aims to ensure continu- highly uncertain and sub- Japan fell 1%. the prospect of negative in- worsened the precarious finances of ous supply of power, adopting models ject to significant downside “We don’t think the market terest rates in the United discoms. such as privatizing state-run discoms risks,” Fed Chair Jerome is going to re-test the lows, States, and extended gains on “Discoms today are facing unprece- and promoting retail competition. Powell said in a webcast but it’s probably seen its best Thursday. Yields on bench- dented cash-flow problems,” Sithara- Sitharaman also spoke about the speech. also, so I’m expecting a cor- mark US 10-year Treasuries man said. JAM trinity solution—Jan Dhan Yo- He warned of a recession rection,” said Tony Huntley, fell slightly to 0.6395%. Electricity demand load shifted to jana, Aadhaar and mobile numbers— worse than any since World chief investment officer at A surprise drawdown of homes during the lockdown, result- as a game-changing reform for better War Two, and called for ad- Melbourne-based fund man- U.S. inventories helped oil ing in lower realizations. With peak by raising ”90,000 crore from the mar- billion by assets and are the largest targeting of subsidies. ditional fiscal spending to ager Adansonia Capital. prices make meagre gains, electricity demand coming down, kets against the receivables of dis- lenders to the sector. The National Democratic Alliance stem the fallout from the pan- “The issue is whether we but the bleak outlook capped commercial and industrial power coms. These funds will be then given The idea is to clear the payment government has readied a raft of demic - a pointed comment get a second wave (of infec- rises. demand has taken a hit after many to discoms against state government backlog with concessional loans guar- power sector reforms, including im- from a central banker who tions) ... that would be my Gold pulled back from a factories shut. guarantees for the sole purpose of dis- anteed by the respective state govern- plementing the direct benefit trans- has avoided giving advice to greatest fear.” one-week high hit early in The ”90,000 crore infusion, which is charging their liabilities. ments. fer scheme in the electricity sector elected officials. China has re-imposed the Asian session, but held linked to reforms, will help in clear- The government has also asked the The one-time liquidity infusion for better targeting of subsidies. Ac- New outbreaks in South movement restrictions near comfortably above $1,700 an ing outstanding dues of discoms to central public sector generation com- will be used to pay the public sector cording to the draft Electricity Act Korea and China were cause its borders with North Korea ounce at $1,711.20. state-owned financial institutions. panies to give rebate to discoms that generation firms, transmission com- (Amendment) Bill 2020 to the Elec- for concern, even as more and Russia after a new out- Markets are looking ahead Mint reported the proposed power will be passed on to the end users. panies, independent power producers tricity Act, 2003, the government has countries begin to re-open break was detected there and to the release of the Europe- sector package on Wednesday. “…we are making it clear that and renewable energy generators. also pitched for a cost reflective tariff their economies after lengthy South Korea is working to an Central Bank’s latest eco- The state-owned Power Finance these benefits should pass to the end The dues of discoms to power gener- and setting up an Electricity Contract lockdowns. contain an outbreak centred nomic bulletin at 0800 GMT Corp. (PFC) and Rural Electrification consumers,” Sitharaman said. ation and transmission firms are to Enforcement Authority to enforce European stock futures around bars and nightclubs and the latest U.S. jobless Corp. (REC) will infuse the liquidity State-owned PFC and REC have $80 the tune of ”94,000 crore. These loans power purchase agreements. were down, and every mar- in Seoul. claims data at 1230 GMT. News SRINAGAR /FRIDAY / 15 MAY I 2020 07

Nirav Modi cites rats, WTO To Make Announcement About insects in Mumbai jail to Chief Amid Reports He Will Resign avoid extradition LONDON: India has provid- assurance could be accepted… GENEVA: The World Trade turmoil, suffering slowdowns Azevedo, who before his ap- ed sovereign assurances and She concluded that they could Organization will make an an- not seen since the Great De- pointment as WTO chief spent details of the Barrack number be accepted”. nouncement Thursday about pression of the 1930s. five years as his country’s am- 12 of Arthur Road jail in Mum- The assurances provided by its Director-General Roberto Global trade, already hit by bassador to the organisation, bai, where diamantaire Nirav the ministry of home affairs, the Azevedo, a spokesman said, fol- trade tensions and uncertain- has enjoyed a reputation as a Modi facing extradition is to CPS told the court, are plainly lowing reports he is planning ties around Brexit, is expect- consensus-builder. be lodged, as a British valuer sufficient to meet the concerns to step down before his term ed to register “double-digit During his first term he ded- of gems and jewellery deposed raised by Modi’s team. The doc- expires next year. declines in trade volumes” in icated much energy to trying to in his favour on the fourth day ument goes on to specifically “The WTO will have an an- nearly all regions this year, the unblock long-deadlocked trade of his trial on Thursday. address points raised and cited nouncement on this matter fol- WTO said last month. agreements. In 2014 managed to Modi’s trial was adjourned video footage of the jail and oth- lowing the heads of delegation The organisation was mean- help secure the Trade Facilita- until September 7 after valuer er submissions as evidence: meeting” at 1400 GMT, spokes- while already in crisis before the tion Agreement (TFA), in which Richard Taylor answered que- Overcrowding: Barrack No. 12 man Keith Rockwell said in an pandemic hit, amid raging trade nations agreed to simplify and ries from defence lawyer Claire has two cells, with a maximum email statement sent to AFP, wars and as the United States standardise customs procedures Montgomery and prosecution capacity of six inmates (per cell). adding that no further comment under President Donald Trump at borders to make it easier for lawyer Helen Malcolm on the The RP (requested person) would would be made before then. has pushed for dramatic reforms goods to flow around the world. diamond industry and the sig- be provided a minimum of 3 His comment came after of the Geneva-based body. But countries have since nificance of Modi’s company. square meters of personal space Bloomberg reported that Aze- career diplomat first took the ing Thursday on “pressing ad- The WTO was, for instance, then failed to reach any further Conditions in Indian jails throughout the course of his de- vedo had told governments he reins of the global trade body ministrative matters”. forced to put its dispute settle- multilateral agreements, in- have been one of the major tention. The video of the cell am- planned to step down before in 2013 and his second term is Azevedo’s possible early de- ment appeal system on ice last cluding on fisheries subsidies, objections highlighted in ex- ply demonstrates availability of the end of his mandate, with due to end in 2021. parture would come at a time December after Washington and since 2017, the WTO has tradition cases in the UK. The sufficient space. the news agency suggesting he Several diplomats confirmed when the COVID-19 pandemic blocked the appointment of new struggled to deal with a US ad- issue was dealt with in exhaus- Heat, noise and lack of pri- would leave on September 1. to AFP that they had been hast- has pushed the global economy judges, preventing it from reach- ministration openly hostile to tive detail in the Vijay Mallya vacy: This is not accepted. The 62-year-old Brazilian ily called to take part in a meet- and international trade into ing a three-judge quorum. its multilateral approach. case, in which the Westmin- Barrack No. 12 has adequate ster Magistrates Court upheld space, which ensures privacy. India’s assurances and details The cell is well ventilated and submitted. provides adequate air circu- Temperature checks, masks the new normal Similar objections have lation and the concern about 36 Million Have Sought been raised by Modi’s defence heat is unfounded. There is no team – including alleged pres- noise in the cell which is sepa- US Unemployment Aid for air travel, says Dubai airport CEO ence of rats, insects, uncov- rated from its surroundings by DUBAI: Temperature screen- ered drains and noise from at least 20 feet by way of thick Since Coronavirus Hit ing and face masks will become slums near the jail – as part high stone walls. common sights at airports of its contention that there is Metal casing causing exces- WASHINGTON: Nearly 3 mil- suggest that some previously to mitigate the spread of the risk to his human rights in the sive heat in the cell: The metal lion laid-off workers applied for laid-off workers have started to new coronavirus but physical Arthur Road jail. casing starts after clearing a U.S. unemployment benefits last return to small businesses in distancing could make flying UK courts are obliged to re- ground level of 20 feet and pro- week as the viral outbreak led those states, though the number more expensive, the head of fuse extradition if there is a risk vides a security cover to the more companies to slash jobs of applications for unemploy- Dubai airport said. of the requested person’s hu- cell. The ground clearance of 20 even though most states have ment benefits remains high. Around the world, govern- man rights in the country that feet ensures adequate air circu- begun to let some businesses re- The latest jobless claims follow ments, airports and airlines makes the extradition request. lation and actually helps in reg- open under certain restrictions. a devastating jobs report last week. are considering temporary As in the Mallya case, the ulating temperatures. Further Roughly 36 million people have The government said the unem- safety measures to restart air Crown Prosecution Service the ceiling is about 20 feet high now filed for jobless aid in the two ployment rate soared to 14.7% in travel, including mandatory (CPS) opposed Modi’s claims and hence naturally cool in months since the coronavirus April, the highest rate since the temperature checks, wearing in its ‘skeleton argument’, stat- summers. Mumbai has a mod- first forced millions of businesses Great Depression, and employers face masks and keeping pas- Gulf state, though it is not clear the airport to halt flights. ing that his submissions “fail erate climate and does not ex- to close their doors and shrink shed a stunning 20.5 million jobs. sengers apart. when normal flights will restart. Physical distancing could to acknowledge the recent con- perience extreme temperature. their workforces, the Labor De- A decade’s worth of job growth was “We are going to have to Temporary safety measures also increase airfares if airlines sideration of this issue in the Insufficient/natural light: partment said Thursday. wiped out in a single month. take whatever measures are should be expected as flights were restricted to selling fewer Mallya proceedings” by judge The video amply shows ade- Still, the number of first-time Even those figures failed to necessary to protect the trav- resume but Griffiths cautioned tickets in order to keep some Emma Arbuthnot of the mag- quate natural light enough to applications has now declined for capture the full scale of the dam- elling public and our staff,” physical distancing rules seats empty, Griffiths said. istrates court in her December allow reading during day time. six straight weeks, suggesting that age. The government said many Chief Executive Paul Grif- would eventually limit growth But until there was a vaccine, 2018 judgement. In addition, there are ‘06 tube a dwindling number of companies workers in April were counted as fiths told Reuters. as demand rebounds. treatment or reliable, quick The CPS documents states: lights’ to afford adequate arti- are reducing their payrolls. employed but absent from work Dubai International, one of “We will not be able to op- method to detect the virus, “In Mallya, the Senior Dis- ficial light at night. The lights By historical standards, though, but should have been counted as the world’s busiest airports, erate at anything close to our measures that reduce the risk trict Judge was required to are shown in the video. the latest tally shows that the temporarily unemployed. suspended passenger services original design capacity if we of contagion would need to be consider assurances offered Dust and noise pollution number of weekly jobless claims Millions of other laid-off in late March as the United had to maintain social dis- enforced, Griffiths said. It is un- by the GOI (government of from the adjoining slum areas: remains enormous, reflecting an workers didn’t look for a new Arab Emirates took drastic tancing,” he said. clear when global travel will re- India) in the same terms as The concern is unfounded as economy that is sinking into a se- job in April, likely discouraged measures to contain the virus. Dubai airport, the hub of cover from the pandemic which those offered in this case. She the cell is separated from the vere downturn. Last week’s pace by their prospects in a mostly The UAE has since allowed airline Emirates, was handling has shattered demand and will conducted an exhaustive con- outside area by way of a thick of new applications for aid is still shuttered economy, and weren’t some repatriation flights and Airbus A380s with over 600 pas- partially depend on countries sideration of whether those 20 feet high stone wall. four times the record high that included, either. If all those peo- eased other restrictions in the sengers before the virus forced lifting their lockdowns. prevailed before the coronavirus ple had been counted as unem- struck hard in March. ployed, the jobless rate would Jobless workers in some have reached nearly 24%. states are still reporting difficul- Most economists have forecast Typhoon Hits Philippines As Some Places See Covid Pandemic Relief ty applying for or receiving ben- that the official unemployment rate efits. These include free-lance, could hit 18% or higher in May be- BEIJING: A typhoon that a clear challenge as fierce rains escape us,” Conte said late when schools reopen next week. the mental health of the people.” gig and self-employed workers, fore potentially declining by sum- slammed into the Philippines and winds battered the region. Wednesday. But a privacy watchdog and a left- Chinese people looking for some who became newly eligible for mer. The job market’s collapse has on Thursday forced a risky As the pandemic restrictions His government also prom- wing opposition party called cam- stay-at-home retail therapy have jobless aid this year. occurred with dizzying speed. As evacuation for tens of thou- across the globe inflict damage ised to legalize the status of for- eras a serious privacy risk. tuned into livestream shopping. The states that are now eas- recently as February, the unemploy- sands of people during the coro- on economies, several govern- eigners, many of them illegal In many parts of the world, Others seeking spiritual support ing lockdowns are doing so in ment rate was 3.5%, a half-century navirus pandemic, while New ments promised relief. New migrants who are crop-pickers, communities and individuals and human connections are wor- varied ways. Ohio has permit- low. Employers had added jobs for Zealand and Japan were among Zealand’s government said it baby-sitters and caretakers. were finding inventive ways to shipping remotely via online reli- ted warehouses, most offices, a record 9½ years. Even in March, countries to relax restrictions plans to borrow and spend vast The world’s public health cope with what many view as a gious services, including from the factories, and construction com- unemployment was just 4.4%. as the virus is brought under amounts of money as it tries to measures continue to provoke “new normal.” Vatican to village churches. panies to reopen, but restau- Now, with few Americans control in some places. keep unemployment below 10%. conflict between officials and Apartment dwellers in Rio “People in general, I think, rants and bars remain closed for shopping, traveling, eating out Typhoon Vongfong added “We face a global economic the public. de Janeiro were getting some are looking for more meaning indoor sit-down service. or otherwise spending normal- the threat of flooding and land- and health crisis not seen since In Ethiopia, police said they much-needed entertainment from and spirituality in the midst of A handful of states have gone ly, economists are projecting slides to the further spread of the Great Depression,” Finance arrested over 1,000 people for children’s movies projected onto all this,” said Omar Suleiman, further, including Georgia, that the gross domestic product COVID-19 as people in the east- Minister Grant Robertson said. refusing to wear face masks in screens set up outside their build- an Islamic leader in Irving, which has opened barber shops, — the broadest gauge of econom- ern Philippines were evacuat- In Italy, one of the worst-hit public, while in Greece a spat ings, similar to a drive-in theater. Texas, whose Yaqeen Institute bowling alleys, tattoo parlors ic activity — is shrinking in the ed into shelters. Officials were countries, Premier Giuseppe Con- broke out over a government Cesar Miranda Ribeiro, pres- for Islamic Research has been and gyms. South Carolina has April-June quarter at a roughly seeking to open up more shel- te promised a massive package of plan to install cameras in high ident of city-owned RioFilme uploading YouTube videos. “So reopened beach hotels, and Tex- 40% annual rate. That would be ter space so people could create tax cuts and other financial aid to school classrooms. The idea is to company, said the effort, called I think there’s just a general as has reopened shopping malls. the deepest quarterly contrac- more physical distance from help businesses and families. provide live-streaming to allow “Cinema in the Windows,” is increase in religiosity and con- Data from private firms tion on record. themselves, something that was “Your cry of alarm didn’t for reduced classroom attendance aimed at “trying to take care of sumption of religious content.” WHO Chief Tedros Unbowed Amid Attacks, Trump Criticism

SWITZERLAND: The World Health five, he has tweeted about riding bikes and so on,” she said by phone. “He takes these things can be true.” Organization’s director-general has with his daughter. A few years ago, he time to listen to their problems, and real- David Shinn, a US ambassador to faced many challenges during the coro- tried out the saxophone, but give it up ly recognize their efforts.” Ethiopia in the 1990s, said Tedros had navirus pandemic: racial slurs, death because of a heavy workload. Tedros has played down death a good relationship with both Beijing threats, social media caricatures — he Years ago, Tedros was spotted as a threats against him, but has stood up to and Washington while Ethiopia’s for- was once depicted as a ventriloquist’s rising star of health policy by Melinda defend Africa. He has blasted the gov- eign minister. Shinn cited a “caution- dummy in the hands of Chinese Presi- Gates, whose charitable foundation ernment of Taiwan, which isn’t a UN ary note:” Tedros had the job when dent Xi Jinping — and US funding cuts. has become WHO’s No. 2 donor. He has member state, for allegedly condoning Ethiopia relied heavily on China for Through it all, Tedros Adhanom been credited for helping expand Ethi- “racial slurs” against him. Taiwan’s economic and political support, as it Ghebreyesus has endeavored to rise opia’s health care workforce as health current government has faced intense does today. above the troubles with a focus on one minister from 2005 to 2012. political pressure from rival China, “As a result, he probably was will- main task: Building international “sol- Tedros often uses wit, feigned igno- and has been appealing for admission ing to accept at face value what he was idarity” against an outbreak whose rance and charm to disarm or sidestep as an observer to the World Health As- being told by China with perhaps not confirmed death toll is nearly 300,000 critics. He has drawn on the star pow- sembly on Monday and Tuesday. questioning as strongly as he might and that quelled economic activity in er of Lady Gaga and garnered support Political sniping between the US have what the situation really was,” countries rich and poor. Many health from European leaders, and called and China, and Tedros’ own politi- said Shinn, an adjunct professor at policy experts have praised his han- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro San- cal baggage, can make it tough to cut George Washington University’s El- dling of the outbreak overall, despite chez “mi hermano”: my brother. He through the noise during a global liott School of International Affairs. criticism of the UN health agency by bills himself “Dr. Tedros,” leaning on health emergency. Tedros appears to have learned one the Trump administration. his doctorate, and actively tweets to a “If you criticize the WHO and key thing from his predecessor, Dr. Next week, Tedros’ track record and million followers. Tedros, you’re somehow seen as a sup- Margaret Chan of China: Be reactive to background will come under intensi- WHO for being too accepting and prais- Tedros, 55, knows about the punish- No stranger to the personal anec- porter of the Trump administration outbreaks. Amid the Ebola outbreak in fied scrutiny as WHO holds its biggest ing of China’s handling of the early ing sides to both politics and pandemics: dote, Tedros once said it was “pure and their clearly self-serving attacks eastern Congo that’s now seemingly on annual event — the World Health As- outbreak, wedging Tedros personally A malaria expert with a doctorate in mi- luck” for him to aspire to the top WHO to shift blame from their own fail- its last legs, Tedros traveled over a doz- sembly — in a “virtual” and abbrevi- in the tense political standoff between crobiology from the University of Not- job, noting that when he was 7, his ure,” said Jeffrey Smith, director of en times to the region. With Covid-19, ated version that focuses on Covid-19. the US and China. He has shied away tingham in Britain, he served as health younger brother died from a childhood Washington-based Vanguard Africa, a he has been omnipresent. Critics and some analysts cite his from criticizing the two powerful UN minister and foreign minister in Ethio- disease — and it could just as easily promoter of democracy. “On the other “Dr. Tedros has been very much at background as a government minister members, and has praised both Pres- pia before his election in 2017 in one of have been him. hand, if you defend Dr. Tedros and the the helm in terms of being in almost in Ethiopia, with its history of author- ident Donald Trump and Xi — even WHO’s most competitive races. Dr. Lia Tadesse, Ethiopia’s current WHO, you’re seen as somehow endors- every single press conference, com- itarian regimes. Not long after taking while leaving hints seemingly directed He’s the first WHO chief from Af- health minister, who worked with ing his comfort level with the world’s municating directly with the public, office in 2017, Tedros appointed Zimba- at Beijing and Washington. rica, and the first who doesn’t have a Tedros when he had her job, said he despots and dictators.” tweeting — really speaking directly to bwe’s then president, Robert Mugabe, “Don’t use this virus as an opportu- medical degree — seen as a hole in his was known for showing calm, patience “Yes, Dr. Tedros is the product of a people,” said Suerie Moon, co-director who often traveled abroad to receive nity to fight against each other or score resume by some critics. and a good ear. deeply authoritarian regime. And he of the Global Health Center at Gene- health care, as a WHO “goodwill am- political points. It’s dangerous,” he Tedros was born in the city of Asma- “While he was a minister, he was has long displayed an affinity for dicta- va’s Graduate Institute. bassador,” only to revoke the appoint- said recently, appealing to the world. ra, before it and the rest of Eritrea split known to really care for people who are tors,” Smith said. “The WHO does crit- “He’s able to really humanize a situation ment after a wave of outrage erupted. “It’s the political problem that may from Ethiopia. Like many Ethiopians, considered at the lowest level of the stra- ical work and deserves support. And that’s quite frightening for most people and Most recently, Trump has faulted fuel further this pandemic.” he goes by his first name. A father of ta, like the cleaner, the security guard yes, the WHO also needs reform. All of be a reassuring presence,” she said. SRINAGAR FRIDAY OBSERVER SPORTS 15 MAY 2020 SRINAGAR

BBL has lost its way, laments The quality of the cricket has been put on the back burner in the Big Bash and the en- tertainment gimmicks have been brought to the forefront" “Continuing on after the kids go back to school is another reason why the tourna- ment runs out of puff in the lead up to the SHANE finals when this should be the time when the tournament really cranks up. Again, the tournament is just too long!!! It’s disap- pointing for all of the families that follow the season so closely until school goes back WATSON and the last thing parents want is for their kids to stay up to nearly midnight watching the matches on a school night. I know what it’s like letting my kids stay up past nine o’clock on a school night and the battle we have the next morning trying to wake them up for school

nce the envy of cricket boards over the world, Chief among Watson's concerns is how the BBL has other reason why the tournament runs out of puff in the "One of the gimmicks that I really feel takes away In addition to this, there's also the concern over the the BBL has now 'lost its way' according to expanded in its running time, saying that the 'writing lead up to the finals when this should be the time when from the quality of the cricket product is the mic'ing up talent pool in the BBL. Owing to the schedule, a lot of T20 veteran Shane Watson who feels the was on the wall' when the tournament got extended to the tournament really cranks up. Again, the tournament of players - up to 2 players from each team fielding are the time the international Australian stars aren't avail- quality of cricket in the competition is not seven home and away games in addition to the finals is just too long!!! It's disappointing for all of the families being mic'd up with a significant amount of the captains able for their respective teams. Not only that, the com- Ocomparable to the IPL or even the PSL. back when Cricket Australia announced its new rights that follow the season so closely until school goes back being one of the two players. petition allows merely two overseas players with every "The one thing that the IPL and PSL do is make the deal in 2018. and the last thing parents want is for their kids to stay How in the world is a captain supposed to have team. quality of the cricket, the product, the number one priori- "It has first of all meant that the fans run out of puff. up to nearly midnight watching the matches on a school his mind on the game when he is being interviewed "These other tournaments have their local interna- ty," Watson wrote in his T20 Stars blog. "They know that Families only have a certain amount of money and time night. I know what it's like letting my kids stay up past regularly when he should be focusing on what is re- tional stars playing as well as having 4 overseas players if this is of the highest quality possible, then the longev- to come out to the games, so when it was 5 home games, nine o'clock on a school night and the battle we have the quired for his team and his own performance, at that playing, which is producing some amazing cricket to play ity of the tournament and the commercial growth and I am sure they were much more open to coming along. next morning trying to wake them up for school." moment in time. and to watch," Watson said. success will look after itself. Don't get me wrong they Now with 7 home games, families are going to have to Watson was also critical of the entertainment gim- "A number of the young guys are more focused on be- To help safeguard its future, Watson even suggested have all of the bells and whistles as well, however the pick and choose their games more carefully. micks used in the BBL, like the mic'ing up of players ing entertaining on the microphone instead of prioritis- a four-point plan which involved reverting back to an glitz and glamour goes on before and after the matches "The quality of the cricket has been put on the back which he feels chips away at the quality of cricket pro- ing their mental energy, to have it ready to go when the older format with fewer games, conducting matches but very rarely does the entertainment affect the players burner in the Big Bash and the entertainment gimmicks duced. "The quality of the cricket has been put on the game calls on them, instead of burning it unnecessarily exclusively in quality grounds, increasing the overseas ability to perform at their best. This is where the BBL has have been brought to the forefront" back burner in the Big Bash and the entertainment gim- being a player/commentator. The number 1 priority has players quota in a team and getting rid of player inter- really lost its way." "Continuing on after the kids go back to school is an- micks have been brought to the forefront. to be the quality of cricket." views during a game.

West Indies players won't be ICC can think of isolation period for hosting No Indian athletes for 'coerced' to tour England T20 World Cup: Faf du Plessis Diamond League restart Cape Town: Former South as New Zealand chased a re- New Delhi: On the day that ing will resume, it’s unlike- Africa skipper Faf du Plessis vised target of 298 in 43 with World Athletics announced a ly they’ll be able to achieve feels a two-week isolation pe- one ball left, on the back of revised and curtailed sched- good fitness for the Diamond riod before and after the ICC Grant Elliot's unbeaten on 84 ule in an attempt to kick off League,” said Athletics Fed- T20 World Cup in Australia from 74 balls. the Diamond League—track eration of India president can be a way out for the or- "I've never been that much & field’s premier competi- Adille Sumariwalla. ganisers to host the tour- broken about a cricket match. tion—it looks like the small The 2018 Jakarta Asian nament, which is in doubt You know you win and lose a handful of Indian athletes Games gold medal win- due to the ongoing corona- lot of cricket games. Most of who make the grade will not ning javelin thrower Neer- virus pandemic. Du Plessis the time when you lose you be able to participate in the aj Chopra, for example, is came up with the sugges- are disappointed. But that league. confined to his room at the tion during a Facebook Live game specifically I have nev- The Diamond League Cir- National Institute of Sports show with Tamim Iqbal on er seen so many grown men cuit this year will be a series (NIS), Patiala since March. Wednesday (May 13). absolutely broken. Like half of 10 one-day competitions “I’m only doing general Jamaica: Cricket West In- foremost,” Graves added. The T20 World Cup is sched- the team was crying and you spread over 10 weeks, which fitness inside my room,” dies CEO Johnny Grave has “The ECB have got a long uled to be played from late know South Africans, we act will provisionally commence Chopra told HT. All train- said that the West Indies way to go to get UK govern- October till November but as like we are hard guys. on August 14 in Monaco and ing facilities at NIS are players won’t be “coerced” ment approval to be abso- things stand, there is a possi- "The dressing room was ab- conclude on October 14 in closed. to tour England for the three- lutely certain that biosecure bility that the tournament will desh, South Africa or India travel ban because we can't solutely broken. And we had to Eugene, USA. The series was In fact, almost all of In- Test series, which was due cricket will work.” get postponed, though ICC is where there is more danger, go there like old days on stay two days longer because originally scheduled from dia’s elite athletes, including to start on June 4 but now Graves said that the play- yet to take a final call. obviously it's a health risk to boats," he said. we couldn't get a flight back May to September, but was those who have made the cut stands postponed until at ers on tour will be operat- "I am not sure... reading them," du Plessis said. Du Plessis, meanwhile, to South Africa, so, for two deferred because of the pan- for the Olympics, have been least July because of the ing in a shielded ecosystem that travelling is going to be "But you can go in before reminisced about the 2015 days, whenever we saw our demic. stuck at Sports Authority of Covid-19 pandemic. to ensure their health and an issue for lots of countries the tournament (for) two World Cup semifinal and teammates, no one made eye “I don’t think our athletes India’s (SAI) centres in Pati- Graves said that he’s “op- safety, but that means they and they are talking about weeks isolation and then said it took him years to re- contact or spoke. Afterward I will get a chance to partici- ala and Bengaluru, with no timistic” about the series would be required to spend December or January. But play the tournament and cover from the heartbreak of played the IPL but I didn't feel pate in international compe- access to training facilities going ahead but understood long stretches of time in and even if Australia is not af- afterwards two weeks isola- losing the game. Du Plessis that I'm playing cricket as I titions because they haven’t or grounds, since the nation- that some of the players must around the playing arena. fected like other countries, tion. But I don't know when top-scored for his team with was so heartbroken inside," started training. Since there wide lockdown was began on be “very nervous” about the “The players would be to get people from Bangla- South Africa will open their 82 off 107 but it went in vain revealed du Plessis. is no clarity when the train- March 24. prospect of travelling to the very much in a bubble,” UK. said Graves. “We said to “There will be no coerc- the ECB we’d want four ing players into this tour,” weeks of preparation be- Grave told BBC. “If you fore the first Test. We’re grow up in a country where probably looking at three Buttler admits feeling 'apprehension and anxiety' about cricket resuming the population might only back-to-back Test matches. be 60,000 or 70,000 people, to It would be seven weeks London: Although Jos Buttler ad- June if the downward trend of "You have natural apprehension be thinking the UK has had of very much training at mits to feeling some "apprehension COVID-19 cases continues. The ECB and I think it'll take me a few days over 30,000 deaths is a mas- the ground, staying at the and anxiety" about the thought are planning for a resumption of to work out those feelings and work sive figure. ground and very much be- of resuming cricket during the competitive action in July against out the process of how I can control “We have to be absolutely ing isolated within that ho- COVID-19 pandemic, he also be- the West Indies and Buttler believes that. If we progress to playing crick- clear that it’s safe first and tel environment.” lieves the enforced layoff could add there is a "better chance than there et behind closed doors it'll be im- years to his career and that of his was a few weeks ago" that England portant to have coping strategies for England teammates. will see some sort of action this the different scenarios we're going England last took the field on summer. to come up against." March 13 during a warm-up game in Although he is refreshed after an Buttler praised the ECB's com- Sri Lanka before the tour was aban- unexpected break from the crick- munication which has been led by Daniel Ricciardo moves from doned and the squad flew home. At eting treadmill, after two months Ashley Giles, managing director of a time when Buttler, who was due to without cricket Buttler did admit men's cricket, and Nick Pierce and Renault to McLaren for 2021 go to the IPL straight from the Sri to some nerves when he read in the Gurjit Bhogal, the ECB's medical of- Lanka series, would otherwise have newspaper that training was to be ficers. He also said he was confident LONDON: Australian Dan- announcing on Tuesday that been faced with a packed schedule, stepped up in short order. "I actual- that if players ruled themselves out iel Ricciardo will leave Re- Vettel would be leaving after the enforced eight week break has ly had some natural apprehension of action because of concerns about nault and race for McLaren six years at Maranello. been a chance to refresh both mind Zealand players who have taken a ment announced new measures and anxiety," he said. the impact of COVID-19 on them or in 2021, the British Formula McLaren said Ricciardo and body. sabbatical for a period of time and which allow more flexibility in "There's natural performance their families, that would not held One team said in a statement had signed a multi-year deal "Maybe in years to come we'll be it could potentially have a positive what they can do, as long as strict anxiety that you haven't felt for sev- against individuals. on Thursday. with the former champions, looking back at the benefits," But- effect on us as England players. As social distancing is maintained. The en weeks, you've had some freedom "If someone comes in and per- The 30-year-old, winner of who finished fourth overall tler said. "I hope we never experi- a player you feel like you've had a Telegraph reported that the bowlers from that. Lots of different feelings: forms well naturally that is going to seven races for Red Bull, will last year but have not won a ence it again, but to have a complete nice rest and really enjoyed it. It's could return to training, supported how will it look and what will my affect you," Buttler said. "I think it'd partner British driver Lando race since 2012. break - both physically and mental- been good to have the break and by one coach, as early as this com- cricket look like? Because we're not be very fair to say that if someone Norris and replaces Span- “Signing Daniel is anoth- ly - will hopefully add some more hopefully feeling refreshed for some ing Monday (May 18). going back to cricket as we know it, had reservations about playing, or iard Carlos Sainz who is set er step forward in our long- years to come to our careers. Poten- cricket." Preparations need to be stepped and it's all very new, it's very much didn't feel comfortable for certain to join Ferrari as Sebastian term plan and will bring an tially, it could have a benefit on us England's players, who have been up given the authorities have also step by step at the moment. People reasons be that affecting their fam- Vettel’s replacement. exciting new dimension to as players. keeping fit as best they can at home, confirmed this week that profes- can only give you week-by-week as- ily or however that looks, I think Ferrari have yet to con- the team, alongside Lando,” "I know rugby is a very physical are set to step up their training in sional sport behind closed doors surances so that makes it very diffi- in these times that wouldn't be held firm Sainz’s arrival after said . game but if you look at some New the coming days after the govern- could be given the go-ahead from cult to plan. against you."