9thyear of publication Srinagar Observer ‘Not Suffering From Any Disease’: Amit FCS&CA Goes For Massive Distribution Of Essentials Virat Kohli picks his two favourite Shah Debunks Rumours Around His Health Amidst the lockdown imposed to combat the spread of Coronavirus international matches Home minister Amit Shah declared on Saturday afternoon that he (COVID-19), the Department of Food Civil Supplies & Consumers Affairs, India captain Virat Kohli has been a part of many memorable is healthy and not suffering from any disease, nixing all rumours Jammu, has plunged into massive distribution of essentials besides matches and in a lot of those matches, he was at the forefront circulating around his health. In a detailed Twitter post, Shah pointed undertaking delivery of masks, sanitizers and free ration to stranded of India’s victories. But like majority of India’s 15-member out how for the past several days, some friends have spread many labour and daily wagers. The department has distributed 95.14 per World Cup squad in 2011, the final against Sri Lanka, which rumours about his health through social media. He said many people cent of advance ration for April and May, 99 per cent ..|Page 06 ended India’s 28-year wait for the ODI World Cup at the have even tweeted praying for his death...|Page 07 Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, is also ... Page 08

Sunday, 09 May, 2020 16, Ramadhan 1441 Hijri Published from Srinagar RNI No:JKENG/2012/43267 Vol:9 Issue No: 109 Pages:8 Rs.5.00 epaper: www.srinagarobserver.com

BriefNews Enforce Strict Protocol To Driver Killed In 13 New COVID Cases Contain Disease: Advisor Rajouri Mishap Rajouri: A tractor driver was killed Baseer To Health Deptt on Saturday after his vehicle turned turtle in Bhangai village of Thanaman- ‘Test All Those Coming From Red Zones’ di in Rajouri district. Reported in JK, Tally 836 Police officials told a local news gath- ering agency that accident took place SO News Desk been enlisted for surveillance in afternoon when a tractor, without which included 20092 persons in registration number, turned turtle in Jammu: The government on home quarantine including fa- Bhangai village area of Thanamandi. Saturday informed that 13 new cilities operated by government, “Tractor driver namely Mohammad positive cases of Novel Coro- 167 in Hospital Quarantine, 459 Aslam (35), son of Faiz Mohammad navirus (COVID-19), one from in hospital isolation and 9244 of Bhangai got killed on the spot,” Jammu division and 12 from under home surveillance. Be- they said. Police further said to have taken cogni- Kashmir division, have been sides, 60570 persons have com- zance of the matter in Thanamandi reported today thus taking the pleted their surveillance period. Police Station. (KNO) total number of positive cases Providing district-wise SO News Desk who is overall in-charge of in Jammu and Kashmir to 836. breakup, the Bulletin said that Corona Virus control ef- According to the daily Media Bandipora has 134 positive cas- Srinagar: Advisor to forts in Kashmir, called for 4 Arrested For Bulletin on novel Coronavirus es with 58 Active Positive, 75 re- Lieutenant Governor, Ba- strict enforcement of secu- Printing Fake Currency (Covid-19), out of 836 positive cases, covered, 01 death; Srinagar has seer Ahmad Khan Saturday rity protocol besides Stan- 459 are Active Positive, 368 have re- 131 (including 02 today) positive called for enforcement of dard Operating Procedures Sajid Raina covered and 09 have died.\ cases with 52 Active Positive, 76 strict protocol of suspected while handling suspected Moreover, 04 more COVID-19 from Kashmir Division. as negative till May 09, 2020. recovered, 03 deaths; Anantnag COVID-19 cases at all hospi- COVID-19 cases. Bandipora: Four persons were patients have recovered and dis- The Bulletin further said that Furthermore, till date 90541 district has 122 positive cases tals in order to contain the The Advisor directed the arrested and booked on Saturday for charged from various hospitals, out of 44753 test results avail- travellers and persons in con- with 120 Active Positive, 01 re- spread of pandemic in Jam- health authorities for prop- circulating Fake Indian Currency Notes 01 from Jammu division and 03 able, 43917 samples have tested tact with suspected cases have covered, 01 death; | More on P2 mu and Kashmir. er handling of patients and (FICN) and recovered five lakhs fake currency, and other printing materials The Advisor was speak- their attendants who visit in Bandipora. ing at a meeting to review different hospitals for con- Senior Superintendent of Police Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. the measures being put in sultation and treatments. (SSP), Bandipora, Rahul Malik while place by various depart- He directed COVID-19 test- divulging the details, told a local If you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, make sure you use and store it carefully.” ments regarding prevention ing for all coming from Red news gathering agency that after and control of COVID-19. Zones and separate wards for receiving specific inputs, Bandi- The meeting was attend- suspects with highest level of pora police arrested four persons Mobile Internet ed by Deputy Commis- safety protocols. identified as Nisar Ahmad Lone, sioner Srinagar, Director He asked the officials to Abdul Rashid Akhoon both residents Services To Be Restored SKIMS Soura, Director designate wards in each su- of Bandipora and Shabir Ahamad Shortly: Div Com Restrictions Continue In Kashmir Health Services Kashmir, per specialty hospitals with Mir, Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh both the Principal GMC Srinagar, minimum capacity of 8 beds resident Kulgam district. Owais Gul Curbs Relaxed “They were involved in circulating and Medical Superintendents for suspect cases and follow using Fake Indian currency notes as In Some Areas of LD Hospital, Bone and strict protocol to ensure that genuine in the different areas of Kash- Srinagar: The administra- Joint Hospital, GB Pant there is no mixing of suspect mir by mixing them with the original tion on Saturday said that the Agencies Hospital and Super Special- cases with healthy ones. notes,” he said. mobile internet services across ty Hospital Srinagar. The Advisor also asked Acting swiftly, a police party of Kashmir will be restored soon. Srinagar: Restrictions Advisor Baseer Khan, Deputy | More on P2 Police Station Bandipora swung The services (2G mobile in- continued in Kashmir on Sat- into action and arrested all the four ternet) were suspended soon urday in the wake of killing accused persons with the help of after the encounter broke out of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Kulgam Police. between forces and militants Riyaz Naikoo in an encoun- He said the police team also seized in Awantipora area of South ter with security forces on Admin Seeks Early Return Of five lakhs including 200, 500, 2000 Kashmir’s Pulwama district Wednesday, but the curbs fake currency notes, from their pos- Remaining Students From Bangladesh session. Printing machine, papers, where a top Hizb commander, were relaxed in some areas and paper cutting machine were also Riyaz Naikoo was killed along of the valley where the situ- CS Writes to Foreign dents of J&K studying in Ban- seized by the police. with his aide on Wednesday. ation remained peaceful, of- the fourth consecutive day on They, however, said the gladesh has been airlifted to SSP further stated that a case has Divisional Commissioner, ficials said. Saturday following Naikoo's curbs were relaxed in some Secretary for intervention Srinagar International Airport been registered and stringent sec- Kashmir, P K Pole told a local Restrictions on the move- killing in Pulwama district areas of the valley where the on May 8, 2020. tions of UAPA act is added against news gathering agency that to ment and assembly of people of south Kashmir on Wednes- situation remained peaceful. SO News Desk As per the figures with the the accused. suspend the services across continued in the valley for day, the officials said. Some relaxations | More on P2 Government of Jammu and Meanwhile, Police appealed public Kashmir was mandatory for Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Kashmir, 230-240 students are to come forward with complaint if peace and to | More on P2 Government has sought early re- still stranded in Bangladesh. they notice any circulation of Fake turn of all the students of the UT In this regard, Chief Sec- currency notes. (KNO) studying in neigbouring coun- retary J&K, B V R Subrah- try of Bangladesh under 'Vande manyam has written to Foreign Pak Shells Forward 2992 Patients Provided Treatment, Don’t Anticipate Worst Case Bharat Mission' launched by the Secretary, Government of India, Areas Along LoC government of India to facilitate Mr Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Medicines Through Helpline: DC Sgr Situation In India: Health Minister the return of the Indian Citizens “Their early return attains Jammu: Pakistani troops engaged in SO News Desk stranded abroad amid Covid- 19 significance in view of the on- firing and mortar shelling along the Agencies pandemic . going holy month of Ramad- Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday Srinagar: The District The first batch of 168 stu- han and | More on P2 in violation of the ceasefire, a defence Administration, Srinagar New Delhi: Union Health spokesman said. provided assistance for treat- Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on The ceasefire violation was reported ment and medicines to 2892 Saturday said that there is no from Degwar sector. The Indian Army patients through it’s Call need to anticipate worst case sit- is retaliating befittingly, the spokes- Centre Helpline made avail- uation with regard to COVID-19 Militant Recruitment man said. able for citizens in view of pandemic in India like in devel- “At about 7.30 pm, Pakistan initiated non-covid health emergen- oped countries. Declines In Kashmir: Officials unprovoked ceasefire violation by cies requiring special atten- "We do not anticipate a very Agencies in 2019. The recruitment of firing with small arms and shelling tion amid lockdown. of heline numbers launched worst type of situation in our Kashmiri militants has fur- with mortars in Degwar. Indian Army is The IVRS based Call Cen- in March aimed at attending country like many other devel- Srinagar: There has ther declined ever since. retaliating befittingly,” he said. tre was inaugurated by Lt health emergencies in priori- oped countries but still we have Health Ministers and senior of- been a significant decline According to details only The cross-border shelling is going on but there is no report of any casualty Governor Sh Girish Chan- ty during the lockdown. prepared the whole country for ficials of North-East State on the in home grown militancy 35 Kashmiris have taken to on the Indian side so far, the spokes- dra Murmu on 17th April A dedicated fleet of 10 vehi- the worst situation," said Vard- current COVID-19 situation via in Kashmir, according to militancy in 2020 up till May. man said. (Agencies) 2020 and it replaced series cles, team of | More on P2 han here while interacting with video conferencing. | More on P2 data compiled by the secu- Though local militancy rity agencies. has shown a decline there Details reveal that the is no end to ceasefire vio- Death of pregnant women recruitment of locals in lations on the Line of Con- Plan Ready, Army To Take Action At militant outfits has shown trol. In the last three years decline since 2018. While the ceasefire violations Probe Team Misses Apt Time: VK Singh on Gilgit-Baltistan 219 Kashmiris joined mili- have significantly gone up. tancy during 2018, the num- In 2018, there were 1,629 Deadline To Submit Report Agencies bers further dropped to 119 ceasefire | More on P2

Ishtiyaq Ahmad “The probe team could not New Delhi: Former Army submit report due to present situ- chief and Minister of State (MoS) Srinagar: Probe team has ation. The probe is at final stage. for Road Transport and High- missed the deadline to complete We expect probe report will be ways VK Singh Saturday said ‘Narco-terrorist’ arrested in Sirsa the probe into the death of two submitted soon,” District Devel- that the entire Kashmir belongs pregnant women who died due opment Commissioner Anantnag to India. He said even PaK (Pa- Rs 29 Lakhs Being Handed for Pakistan-based groups to to alleged medical negligence in Bashir Ahmad Dar told a local kistan-administered-Kashmir) is Over To Slain Hizb Commander push drugs into India and the Anantnag district. news gathering agency. India’s part and stated that it will Naikoo Seized: NIA money generated was used for District Development Com- Shakeela, 30, wife of Zahoor come to India on its own. terror activities. missioner (DDC) Bashir Ahmad Ahmad from Salia village died Talking about elections in Gil- Agencies NIA identified the accused Dar, Tuesday has assured strict allegedly due to delay in her treat- git-Baltistan, General VK Singh as Ranjit Singh@ Rana @ Chee- action against any negligence, if ment at SDH Seer on last Sunday. said, "Pakistan's rulers are not Srinagar: National Inves- ta, son of Harbhajan Singh of any, into the death of two preg- She was declared bought dead at even able to manage their coun- think anyone will stand with Pa- India, PaK is our part too and it tigation Agency (NIA) on Sat- Ram Tirath Road, Amritsar. nant women after completion of MCCH Anantnag. try, their army is deciding what kistan. "The way India is taking will come to us automatically. I urday claimed to have arrested “Singh along with co-ac- probe within three days. Fearing her samples may be to do to the people. In this situa- the entire world together and by have spent 12 years in Kashmir. a person identified as Ranjit cused Iqbal Singh @ Shera are Additional Deputy Commis- taken for COVID19 testing, the tion, the people there are trying Prime Minister Narendra Mo- Judgments are made and these Singh, who is allegedly a notori- the prime accused in case RC- sioner Anantnag was directed to family took the body out of the to do something so that the world di's image in the global sphere, will continue to be made, there ous narco-terrorist, from Sirsa. 18/2019/NIA/DLI registered by complete the probe within three hospital on a stretcher trolley. stands with them. we will definitely benefit and is no need to give weight to every The statement reads that NIA in connection with the sei- days. However, five days after, A video also went viral on social The Minister of State for get what we want in the end," judgment. When there is an en- the NIA along with Punjab and zure of 532 kgs of heroin hidden the authorities are yet to com- media wherein wailing family Road Transport and Highways VK Singh said. counter, only the person present Haryana police arrested Singh in a consignment of rock salt plete the probe. members were | More on P2 further said that he does not "Entire Kashmir belongs to on the ground can | More on P2 as he was acting as a conduit imported | More on P2 SRINAGAR 02 OBSERVER Srinagar / sundAY / 10 MaY i 2020 News

Jammu Working 3 officials appointed by government to Covid-19 pandemic: Soz Journalists Pay Tributes hails Dr. David Nabaroo facilitate return of stranded residents of J&K AGENCIES To Late Prem Gupta On His AGENCIES stranded.” Sarmad Hafiz (IAS), with SRINAGAR: Dr. David Nabaroo, representative of Second Death Anniversary SRINAGAR: Jammu and headquarter at Lukhnow, has the World Health Organization (WHO) for the fight Kashmir government has ap- been appointed to coordinate against the Covid-19, seems to have rightly alerted AGENCIES pointed three senior officials with people stranded in Uttar the world, especially, India that the people would to facilitate and manage re- Pradesh, Utrakhand, Guru- have to live with the dangerous Corona virus be- JAMMU: Working journalists of Jammu, both from turn of JK residents, stranded gram and Bihar. fore a vaccine has been found. He asserted that the Print and Electronic Media, today paid floral tributes to in several states and Union Talat Parvez Rohela needed vaccine for the virus would not be avail- veteran photo-journalist Mr. Prem Gupta on his second Territories outside. (KAS), with his headquarter able before 12 to 18 months from now. death anniversary. According to a statement at Kolkatta for the people in So, the way out is through a series of methods to According to a statement a two-minute silence was an order by General Admin- West Bangal Tripura, Naga- improve social and personal hygiene. observed in the memory of Prem Gupta who was associ- istration Department of Jam- land, Jharkand and Assam, The J&K State could readily accept Kerela as ated with Punjab Kesari Hindi national newspaper. mu and Kashmir under No. while Zubair Ahmed (KAS), the role model where the virus is almost getting Speaking on the occasion, Senior Journalist, Dinesh 543 JK (GAD) of 2020, was with headquarter at Mum- ‘Non-Existent’. It has just a dozen cases to handle. Mahajan described late Prem Gupta as a thorough pro- issued by the Government bai has been appointed for On this occasion, I want to make two specific fessional man who never compromised with profession- to this effect, a sizable appre- people stranded in Mahrash- suggestions. One, we must accept the social dis- al ethics while performing his duties. ciable number of residents of tra, Gujrat, Goa, Madhya tancing and other methods of hygiene to remain Mahajan said that he (Prem) was not only known for Jammu and Kashmir, includ- ter themselves, who want to the existing machinery to Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, safe and; the other important thing is that the so- his professionalism but also for his participation in social ing students and labourers return home, besides collect- reach out to these stranded Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karna- ciety must help the working class which has been activities besides getting always ready to help the needy. are presently stranded at dif- ing data of stranded people persons that will infuse a taka, Telangana and Chattis- rendered unemployed. Senior photojournalist Sohan Karlupia recalled his ferent places across the coun- from sending states. sense of satisfaction among garh. Meanwhile, the Union Territory administration closeness with late Prem Gupta and said that he per- try, who are feeling insecure As a fresh effort to ex- them in these tough times.” The above-mentioned must invite representatives of all social organiza- formed his duty till last moment of his life with utmost during the prevailing condi- pedite the return process, Accordingly a sanction is officers have been ordered tions in J&K State for a thorough discussion on zeal and dedication. He described his departure as un- tions of lockdown. Gad issued the above men- herby accorded to the depu- to keep a close liaison with how to fight Coronavirus and how best to reach the timely and great loss to journalism in Jammu region. After the Union Home tioned order of appointment tation of following officers to the officials of the sates as- down-trodden section of the society during these dif- Later, food was served among needy people in the Ministry allowed the return of three senior officials to different states/places with signed to them and to act ficult times. I propose that the J&K Muslim Auqaf memory of photo journalist Prem Gupta. of migrants to their home facilitate the return of the headquarters, as mentioned as bridge between the Gov- Trust and J&K Auqaf-e-Islamia should extend sup- Senior photo journalist Afzal Sah, Pradeep Bakshi, Na- states, Jammu and Kash- stranded residents from against each, to reach out to ernment and the stranded port to the J&K Govt. to serve the society better. resh Kumar, Sewa Ram, Aman Sharma, Mir Imran, Rohit mir government launched Jammu and Kashmir. persons of Jammu and Kash- people to facilitate, their On its part, the J&K Govt. must seek the support Sharma, Uttam Kumar, Inderjeet Singh, dinesh Sudan and a website to register, where The order reads, “It has mir stranded, till the issues return and stay, reads the of the two organizations to reach the needy, in a Balkar Karlupia also spoke on the occasion. (CNS) those residents could regis- been felt prudent to augment of these stranded people are order. (CNS) better way.”(KNS)

....From the Front Page

13 New COVID released by the government through the daily youth and security forces in few areas of Pulwa- timeline is allowed, beyond which the matter is under the Jammu and Kashmir meteorological media bulletin to print and electronic media. ma and in Budgam district where a deputy su- flagged to Deputy Commissioner. This system sub-division since May 5. Baramulla has 106 positive cases with 58 Ac- People are also advised to refrain from perintendent of police was injured. (Agencies) has ensured timely and effective response sys- IMD Director General M Mohapatra had said tive Positive, 45 recovered (including 03 report- spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at tem. they have been mentioning areas under PaK ed today), 03 deaths; Shopian has 100 positive the same time. Admin Seeks Early The dedicated dialysis helpdesk in the Call under its daily weather bulletin ever since the cases (including 02 cases reported today) with the approaching Eid festival falling on May centre has also generated a database of all bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir in the two 53 Active Positive, 47 recovered; Kupwara has Enforce Strict Protocol 25, 2020,” the CS has written to the Foreign Sec- patients in need of dialysis and other kidney union territories August last year. 71 positive cases (including 02 cases reported Commissioner Srinagar for the establishment retary. ailments which has been mapped for prompt However, officials said it’s now being men- today) with 38 Active Positive, 33 recovered; of COVID-19 Public Information Booth at all The CS has pointed out that with the present response by nearest teams. Patients in need of tioned explicitly under the Jammu and Kash- Budgam has 46 positive cases with 33 Active hospitals which would be called as ‘Screening plan of evacuating these students in a staggered dialysis, chemotherapy, transportation etc can mir subdivision. Positive and 13 recovered cases; Ganderbal has Booths’ where a doctor or any other health offi- manner, there is every apprehension that such contact the call centre at 6006333308 or the mo- These cities of PaK have now found a place in 23 positive cases including 04 cases reported cials would be posted for screening all the persons students, who have to take flights at later dates bile numbers of help desk. the overall forecast of the northwest division. today with 09 Active case and 14 recoveries; who visit these hospitals. would get anxious. The northwest division consists of nine Kulgam has 21 positive cases (including 01 case “All the persons who visit the hospitals (both Seeking the personal intervention of the For- Don’t Anticipate sub-divisions Jammu and Kashmir, Him- reported today) with 16 Active Positive and 05 the patients and attendants) whether symptom- eign Secretary, the SC has called for arranging Vardhan said that India is improving its bat- achal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi-Chandi- recoveries; Pulwama reported 13 positive cases atic or asymptomatic would be screened and return of these students to Srinagar Interna- tle against COVID-19. garh-Haryana, Punjab, east Uttar Pradesh, (including 01 case reported today) with 09 ac- checked at the booths to ensure that other peo- tional Airport in a single flight by arranging “Our fatality rate in the country continues west Uttar Pradesh, east Rajasthan and west tive positive, 04 recovered. ple already in hospital would be saved from the their airlift in an aircraft with a capacity of 250 to be around 3.3% and the recovery rate has Rajasthan. Similarly, Jammu has 31 positive cases with disease,” he said. persons so that they reach Jammu and Kash- climbed up to 29.9%, these are very good indi- The development assumes significance as 05 active positive cases and 26 recoveries; Ud- He said through these booths information mir well before the Eid festival. cators. The doubling rate for the last 3 days has New Delhi has been of a position that the Pa- hampur has 22 positive cases with 02 active would be disseminated to general public re- “This needs to be mitigated, keeping in con- been about 11 days, for last 7 days it has been 9.9 kistan-administered-Kashmir belongs to India. positive case, 19 recovered and 01 death; Sam- garding social distancing, hospital assistance, sideration the extreme distress prevalent in the days,” he said. The inclusion of Muzaffarabad and Gilg- ba has 07 positive cases with 03 Active Positive hospital protocols, follow-ups etc. stranded students/persons due to the COVID-19 “We have dedicated 843 hospitals exclusively it-Baltistan in the forecast comes amid Paki- and 04 recoveries; Rajouri has 04 positive cases, The Advisor asked all the district health offi- pandemic” the CS has appealed in his letter to for COVID-19 patients’ treatment, which have stan’s Supreme Court allowing elections in all have recovered including one recovery to- cials for advanced coordination for all referrals the Foreign Secretary. about 1,65,991 beds in it for the same. Across the Gilgit-Baltistan this week. India had strongly day; Kathua has 02 positive case (including 01 and make testing mandatory for all referrals country, there are 1, 991 dedicated COVID-19 reacted to the development. (Agencies) case reported today) with 01 active positive; 01 besides tagging them with COVID free certifi- Militant Recruitment health centres which have 1, 35, 643 beds. These recovered; Kishtwar had only 01 positive case cates. violations by Pakistan at the LoC which al- beds include isolation as well as ICU beds,” he ‘Narco-terrorist’ who has recovered, Ramban has 01 active posi- The Advisor directed establishment of ded- most doubled to 3,168 in 2019. So far until May added. from Pakistan,” NIA said, adding that the tive case while Reasi also has 01 active positive icated lines/helplines in each hospital for pa- this year Pakistan has resorted to 1,547 cease- Vardhan said that the Health Ministry is seizure was made by the Custom Authorities case. tients while maintaining digital log of all calls fire violations. continuously coordinating with the states and at ICP Attari on 29.06.2019 when contraband The Bulletin said that the breakup represents received. Meanwhile, militant activities have shown a monitoring the data on a daily basis. was discovered during inspection of the con- districts from which the patients have been traced He also asked for additional quarantine fa- surge in J&K, which have also been met with “There are 7, 645 quarantine centres across signment. Investigation revealed that Pakistan or are ordinarily residing. cilities close to all hospitals across the Jammu successful operations by the Indian forces. De- the country. We have distributed 69 lakhs N-95 based entities are smuggling narcotics from The Bulletin has urged upon the people to and Kashmir in order to address any emergen- tails reveal that 215 militants were killed in sev- masks have been to various state governments. Pakistan into the Indian territory by hiding it clean hands frequently and thoroughly to pro- cy related to COVID-19. eral anti-militancy operations and encounters A total of 32.76 lakhs PPEs have been distrib- in sacks of rock salt which is imported from tect themselves and others from COVID-19. “Each hospital has to make plan for exigency in Kashmir in 2018. uted to state governments by the centre. We Pakistan. “Wash your hands with soap and water or use in case of any likely surge in cases beyond in- In 2019, 152 militants were killed while till started from one testing lab in Pune and now “This is done through an elaborate network alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you use an al- stitutional capacity. The hospital authorities in May 64 militants have been neutralised in 2020. we have over 453 labs in the country,” he said. of importers, Customs House Agents, trans- cohol-based hand sanitizer, make sure you use cooperation with district administration would Out of 64 militants eliminated 22 belonged to “Yesterday evening we evaluated the data porters and the operation is financed through and store it carefully”, the people are asked fur- identify additional quarantine facilities close to Hizbul Mujahideen; eight were associated with from various states and found that only 0.38 per illegal International Hawala channels. Investi- ther. the hospitals,” he said. the Lashkar e Taiba and eight with Jaish e Mo- cent of the patients were on the ventilators. 1.88 gation also established that the seized consign- The bulletin, while elaborating the way of The Advisor also asked the hospital authori- hammad. Some 20 are unidentified militants, per cent requiring oxygen support and 2.21 per ment was a part of a total of 5 consignments using hand sanitizer and necessity of follow- ties to inspect and keep check over the hygiene while three each belong to Ansar Gazwat ul cent were on ICU beds,” he added. (Agencies) of drugs, 4 out of which had been successfully ing certain guidelines, has issued several ad- and safety of all the hospital canteens. Hind (AGuH) and ISJK. (Agencies) smuggled into India. First charge-sheet in this visories including ‘Apply a coin-sized amount Meanwhile, the Advisor also held a meeting Probe Team case was submitted by NIA on 27.12.2019 in the on your hands. There is no need to use a large with several Deputy Commissioners through 2992 Patients Provided seen carrying her body on a trolley on the Special NIA Court, Mohali against 15 accused amount of the product. Avoid touching your video conferencing over the issue of nomadic 12 professionals has been deputed on job road. persons including 4 companies and also Ranjit eyes, mouth and nose immediately after using movement in these districts. round-the-clock for attending issues related to Earlier, 35-year-old Ruyaqa, wife of Javed Ah- Singh who had been absconding since then,” an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, as it can cause The Advisor discussed in detail the plan for health emergencies, demands related to dialy- mad from Kharpora-Larnoo village in Koker- NIA said. irritation. Hand sanitizers recommended to the movement of nomads in districts of Shopi- sis, chemotherapy, diabetes and other such ail- nag, a designated red zone, died at MCCH, after Singh as per NIA is also the “prime accused protect against COVID-19 are alcohol based and an, Kulgam, Bandipore, Anantnag, Ganderbal ments. Apart from the IVRS call centre 4 mobile delivering stillborn twins. in the recent Hizbul Mujahideen terror fund- therefore can be flammable. Do not use before and Baramulla. numbers have also been made available. She was admitted to the general ward of the ing module which was busted with the arrest handling fire or cooking. Keep alcohol-based The respective DCs informed the Advisor Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar empanelled hospital where she came in contact with pa- of Hilal Ahmad Wagay, a resident of Nowgam, hand sanitizers out of children’s reach. Teach about several steps being taken to facilitate and 13 dialysis centre across city for providing dial- tients, attendants, doctors, and paramedics. Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir with Rs 29 them how to apply the sanitizer and monitor its check the movement of these nomads during ysis services, the expenses of which are borne Her body was handed over to the family for last lacs in cash in Amritsar by Punjab Police on use. Under no circumstance, drink or let chil- the pandemic. by the district administration. Most of these rites. A day after her test returned positive for 25.4.2020.” dren swallow an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The Advisor asked the DCs to firm up plans centres are working with administration on no- Coronavirus. “This money was being transported to the It can be poisonous. Remember that washing for the smooth movement of the nomads while profit-no-loss basis while dedicated transport A court has also asked the police to inquire Kashmir valley to be handed over to Riyaz your hands with soap and water is also effective keeping the safety protocols in place. facility is made available by administration. and ascertain the cause of the death of two Naikoo (now killed), Chief operational com- against COVID-19’. Giving details about the initiative, Deputy pregnant women in Anantnag hospitals. It also mander of Hizbul Mujahideen. The case regis- As a measure for social distancing in public Mobile Internet Services Commissioner, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary in- directed the police to probe the ferrying of the tered by Punjab Police in this connection, has places & workplaces wearing a face cover is maintain law and order. “The services were formed that a total of 2992 patients have been body of a woman by her family in a trolley. been reregistered and taken over by NIA vide compulsory. suspended to maintain law and order. We are provided assistance ever since the launch of “In order to find out the cause of the death RC 23/2020/NIA/DLI on 08.05.2020,” NIA said. The advisory further explains that early de- accessing the situation and the services will be call centre. These include 890 dialysis cases of this pregnant woman (yesterday) and the one The statement added that accused Ranjit tection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of restored shortly,” he said. involving multiple cycles, 1115 delivered free who died earlier after giving birth to stillborn Singh along with his five brothers is involved disease, let us be responsible for the well-being Earlier, the mobile services which also re- drugs by nodal officer, 263 patients provided twins, I direct Senior Superintendent of Police in smuggling and trade of drugs for past many of ourselves and everyone around us. Not dis- mained suspended for over 48 hours in Kash- free life-saving/ essential drugs, 148 patients (SSP), Anantnag to hold an inquiry into the years. closing symptoms could put life of individuals mir were restored by the government on Friday provided transportation from home to hospital matter,” reads an order issued by principal dis- Several cases under FIR number 98 dated 23-04- and their families at risk. In case of symptoms evening. Barring Bharat Snachar Nigam Lim- and back, 12 injury cases, 51 Chemotherapy cas- trict session judge Anantnag Parvez Hussain 2007 u/s 21-61-85 NDPS Act, PS-A- Division, Amrit- like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing re- ited (BSNL), all the cellular services were sus- es and 181 patients delivered / provided diabe- Kachroo. sar, FIR number 243 dated 10-09-2007 u/s 489 A, B, port early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline pended in Kashmir as precautionary measure. tes drugs. The court held that the women died appar- C, D, 25-54-59 Arms Act PS- Sadar Faridkot, FIR numbers and seek medical advice. (KNO) The initiative aimed at attending pre-covid ently for want of proper medical treatment. number 244 dated 11-12-2007 u/s 21-61-85 NDPS Act, Advisory urged people not to step out of health issues has gained greater response from “The SSP Anantnag shall either hold an inqui- PS- B- Division, Amritsar, FIR number 57 dated 02- home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have Restrictions Continue public and a large number of patients are avail- ry by himself or by any other officer but not be- 05-2007 u/s 489 A, B, C, 420, 120B IPC, PS Kathunan- to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure in terms of allowing movement of people and ing the services made available. A separate low the rank of SP,” the court said. (KINS) gal, Amritsar, FIR number 183 dated 04-05-2004 u/s that you wear a mask and practice social dis- opening of shops in certain areas have been al- fleet of vehicles has also been made available to 61-1-14 excise Act, PS Sadar Amritsar, FIR number tancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand- lowed, they added. select hospitals to provide services to patients Plan Ready, Army 26 dated 30-05-2010 u/s 420 IPC, 42 Prison Act, PS washing with soap and water.” Deployment of security forces continued in in need of transport after discharge. inform about the damage done there. If some- Cantonment, Amritsar, FIR number 115 dated 07-07- In case of any emergency people can avail vulnerable areas to maintain law and order, The District Administration in it’s endeav- one outside makes a comment, it is wrong,” VK 2019 u/s 411, 414, 489 A, B, C IPC, 21/22/29 NDPS Act, free ambulance services 24x7 at their doorsteps the officials said. our to reach out to patients in need also includ- Singh said on the Handwara encounter. 3,5,9 OS Act, PS Gharinda, Amritsar(Rural), was ab- by calling on toll-free number 108 while as preg- While the government has been strictly enforc- ed a survey of such requirements along with Singh said that he is not going to say what the sconding, RC-18/2019/NIA/DLI dated 24.07.2019 us nant women and sick infants can avail free am- ing the COVID-19 lockdown, restrictions were the ongoing door-to-door health audit and 1233 government will do or has to do, and added: “it 120B, 121-A,122 IPC, 17,18,18-B, 20 UA(P)Act, 29 and bulance services by dialling toll-free number imposed across the valley on Wednesday the day cases needing medical attention for non-covid will happen when the time comes”. 32 (B)(e) NDPS Act, and a case RC-23/2020/NIA/ 102. Naikoo and his aide were killed in an encounter health issues were shared with primary health- ‘I will not tell you that we are going to do this, DLI dated 08.05.2020 under sections 10,11,13,17,18,20 People can also call on toll-free national with security forces in Beighpora area of Awantipo- care institutions for response. or we will do that. or what we have to do. It will and 21 of UAPA(arising out of FIR no. 135 dated helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline ra in Pulwama. The daily monitoring system of response to happen when the time comes. A plan is ready. 25.04.2020 PS Sadar Amritsar, related to Hizbul Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191- The authorities also snapped mobile net- public issues related to emergency healthcare The day we see an opportunity, action will be Mujahideen terror financing) have been registered 2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jam- work, except BSNL postpaid services, and sus- has been put in place to ensure prompt atten- taken. against him. mu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For pended mobile internet services. tion. Nodal officers have been appointed in Former army chief’s comments come just after NIA in a statement said that investigation has Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and While the mobile phone services were re- all the hospitals to attend these issues. Imme- the IMD’s Regional Meteorological Centre has revealed that Pakistan based militant organisa- response to health-related queries on Novel stored Friday night, mobile Internet services diately on receipt of call a ticket is generated started including cities under Pakistan-adminis- tions are using narcotic trade to generate funds Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). continued to remain suspended for the fourth on mobile of nodal office either in DC office, tered-Kashmir in its forecasts, a departure from for terror activities in India. “The proceeds of Public is advised to strictly follow the adviso- consecutive day. department or hospital prompting the offi- its earlier format. narcotic trade are transferred to Kashmir valley ries issued by the government from time to time The situation remained largely peaceful on cer to address and provide service. The ticket The IMD has started including Gilgit-Baltis- through Couriers and Hawala channel for terror- and are urged to rely only on the information Friday, except for clashes between groups of is closed after delivery of service and a fixed tan and Muzaffarabad, which are parts of PaK, ist purposes,” NIA said. (KNO) SRINAGAR NEWS SRINAGAR / SUNDAY / 10 MAY I 2020 OBSERVER 03 Modern farming technologies in Weeds engulf Dal Lake amid lockdown AGENCIES and now you see excessive resident of Brane Nishat said growth of weeds have taken he has seen first time such SRINAGAR MAY 09: Amid over the lake,” Sharif. an ugly look of the lake. “Gov- COVID, the proliferation of Due to huge infestation of ernment has completely ig- floriculture can be game changer for weeds have taken a heavy weeds, large parts of the lake nored this lake for last sev- toll on the Dal Lake without could be seen these days cov- eral weeks,” he added. de-weeding being done in the ered with green cover. The authorities would clean famed water body for last Even excessive weeds could the lake by de-weeding ma- several weeks. also been seen around the chines or traditional methods JK’s economy: Advisor Baseer Khan In absence of any de-weed- Shar-e-Kashmir Interna- by skilled laborers. ing operation-manually or tional Conference Centre “We had launched a massive by machines-the weeds and (SKICC) where national and cleanness operation last year SO NEWS DESK curing latest state-of-art lily pads have engulfed Dal international conferences but all these efforts have been garden machinery. Lake. are held. Even Prime Minis- wasted due to situation. The SRINAGAR, MAY 09: Ad- The Advisor impressed Sharif Ahmad, a resident ter Narendra Modi in Febru- process for de-weeding has visor to Lieutenant Governor, upon the officers to focus on of Dal Lake, said, no de-weed- ary last year toured Dal Lake been stopped,” an official of Baseer Ahmed Khan today areas where farmers’ income ing has been done on the famed and was also shown this por- LAWDA said, wishing not to maintained that Jammu and would be doubled so that their body for last several weeks. tion around the SKICC. be quoted by name. “It is re- Kashmir has huge potential productivity would increase “The Lakes and Water Ways “When one goes into the ally a matter of concern that for floriculture activities by facilitating their produce Development Authority would interiors of the lake, you will excessive weeds have taken with modern farming tech- for sale in different markets. clean a portion of the lake by find how the famous lake is over the famed lake.” nologies as game changer Suggesting several innova- machines or through labour- turning into a swamp,” he For the last 16 years, Rs for J&K’s economy. tive ways to boost floriculture ers. But for last two months, added. 800 crores have been spent The Advisor was speaking sector in J&K, the Advisor nothing such is being done Mohammad Subhan, a on conservation of Dal Lake. at a review meeting of Flo- called for setting up of com- riculture, Gardens and Parks remain on revenue genera- agencies as the sector needs establishment of Theme mercial floriculture parks Department here to discuss tion model and beautification little or no infrastructure Gardens (Chrysanthemum, in collaboration with other Floriculture Expansion Pra- of areas. besides having suitable cli- Dahlia, Peony, Rose Gardens departments besides explo- gramme. He said that people in mate for cultivation. etc) to increase the span of ration of viable marketing The meeting was attended Jammu and Kashmir have “Activities like cut flowers tourist season. Similarly, channels for cut flower busi- by Commissioner-Secretary, surplus holdings of land and dry flowers have lot of Jammu will get Bougainvil- ness with adequate cold- Don’t treat people as savages: KCCI to Floriculture Department, which would be subsequent- scope in J&K and people can lea theme garden to attract storage facility at the air- Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad; Direc- ly utilized for plantations of be attracted through sev- tourist inflow to area. ports. tor Floriculture, Kashmir, roseries, lavender or other eral schemes already in The meeting was also in- He said that state land along admin after internet shutdown Farooq Rather and other ornamental plants and could place,” he said. formed that the department National Highway right from concerned officers. be helpful in flipping up their He directed the department is planning to establish Cen- Bari Brahmana should be AGENCIES magazine has termed as the “It was the responsibility of Director, Floriculture income multifold. to have further 5 to 6 attrac- tres of Excellence, one each utilized for beautification `World’s Longest Lockdown’. the administration to first Jammu and other concerned The Advisor pointed out tions areas around Srinagar at Jammu and Srinagar, along the road stretches. He SRINAGAR MAY 09: Break- The rights and privileges of substitute all the passes is- officers from Jammu Divi- that there are several and elsewhere and also to besides up gradation and also asked for exploring op- ing silence, Kashmir Cham- the people need to be ac- sued by them with those hav- sion attended the meeting schemes with subsidy driv- explore options where there mechanization of gardens tions along the stretch to ber of Commerce and Indus- corded proper respect and ing enhanced security fea- via video conferencing. en components while the is state land available to and parks by way of provid- Katra Mata Vaishno Devi try (KCCI) has termed the they should not be treated as tures before the cancellation. Addressing the meeting, need is to reach out to the utilize it for floriculture ac- ing world class infrastruc- Shrine for floriculture theme abrupt cancellation of move- mute savages,” said a KCCI Was it not before the April Advisor Baseer Khan called growers so that they would tivities. ture and civic amenities for parks. The Advisor directed ment passes and suspension spokesman said in a state- 24 that the misuse and forg- for trainings and awareness be benefitted to boost their During the meeting, the visitors at major gardens and Commissioner-Secretary of mobile services in the ment. ery of passes were detected? among the growers to educate economy. Advisor was also informed parks. Floriculture and Director middle of a pandemic as an The spokesman said the Normally shouldn’t urgent them about the revenue po- Advisor Baseer Khan said that an extension plan for The meeting was told that Floriculture Kashmir to “ill-considered step”. focus of the administration steps first have been taken tential of floriculture ac- that growing of flowers has Tulip Garden, Srinagar is a proposal is underway for inspect the areas along O May 5, Srinagar district would have been better placed to substitute all the existing tivities in their respective a good market potential and being worked out on the pat- the mechanization of main- river Jhelum and come up administration cancelled all on taking punitive action passes in the following two areas adding the depart- private entrepreneurs could tern of Japanese Cherry Tree tenance work to address the with a comprehensive plan movement passes in view of against such elements (who weeks?” he asked. ment’s main focus should collaborate with outside Section (SAKURA) with the manpower shortage by pro- for its beautification. large scale misuse. On May misused the passes). To add to their woes, the 6, mobile and 2G internet “It requires no special op- spokesman said, mobile ser- services were also suspend- erations but basic policing. vices were suspended on May ed. Had action been taken in time, 6 thereby resulting in a total “The administration has the matter could have been breakdown of any commu- been working round the clock contained without taking nications. “Only mobile ser- 709 persons discharged DC Budgam inspects quarantine centers for keeping the wheels mov- resort to such extreme mea- vice has restored till May 9. ing. There is justifiable stress. sures,” said a KCCI spokes- While the KCCI has been But due consideration has to man. unequivocal in appreciating from Administrative be given to the local commu- Instead, he said punishment the administration wher- nity which has been enduring has been meted out to the ever it deserved, fairness,” Quarantine in Doda 10 months of what the TIME genuinely affected people. he said.(KINS)

• 2011 persons are still in Quarantine Facilities across the district FIL Industries fully abides by COVID protocol SAJID TUFAIL LONE facilities and their samples were taken by the health of- • Appeals media to refrain from circulating unverified news DODA MAY 09: Seven Hun- ficials for further testing and dred Nine (709) person's who are reported negative. were shifted into various AGENCIES tions at its Controlled Storage The spokesperson for the administrative quarantine In this regard all of them facility and informed the Company informed, “as an facilities after their return were immediately discharged SO NEWS DESK any of them turns infected batch of stranded passengers authorities for voluntary essential service provider back from outside J&K UT and were put into strict home to contain spread of virus”. is returning to Kashmir on SRINAGAR MAY 09: FIL testing of its employees. The for the storage of apples for in Doda were discharged quarantine by the District BUDGAM, MAY 09: Depu- Later DC Budgam visited 11th and 12th May through Industries on Saturday it has test results came positive for the farmers, and to assist the after being tested negative. Administration. ty Commissioner (DC) Bud- various Red Zone areas in- direct flights while inward adhered by all Standard Op- 4 employees while as the re- farmers at this critical junc- Concerned supervising Moreover it is pertinent gam, Tariq Hussain Ganai cluding Norkara, Mirgund movement of all returnee erating Procedure as war- sult for others were negative ture of apple marketing, the officers oversaw their dis- to mention here that sample today stressed on aggressive Gudsatoo to ascertain the persons via road shall be ac- ranted by the government who have been put in manda- Company has invested fully charge and transportation collection process is ongoing contact tracing of all contacts reasons of emerging of vari- commodated at JNV School. guidelines while operating tory quarantine,” the spokes- in Covid-19 compliant mea- to their respective homes. at various locations in the of latest 14 Covid-19 positives ous positive cases from FIL He further said that testing its cold storage division of man said. sures including new usage It has been given out that district on war footing and cases and putting them in industries Rangreth. of pregnant women shall be the company. He added: “All due mea- of PPE kits, social distancing, all these persons who were as many as reports will come quarantine immediately. He said the administration conducted at their respective In a statement spokesman sures for the further sani- masks etc before this incident discharged from various negative accordingly they The DC said this while is geared up to tackle any BMO offices to ensure any of the FIL Industries while tisation of the Controlled and will continue to strength- quarantine facilities have will be discharged from ad- chairing a meeting to review emergency that arises due inconveniences to them dur- referring to the news being Atmospheric facility have en the same going forward.” return back from various ministrative quarantine the Covid-19 related facilities to increase in positive cases ing this process. S Stressing circulated by some media also been undertaken. The He added that the Controlled states and were put into ad- facilities and will be put in at Conference Hall Budgam. and impending alarm. on proper sanitation and outlets and media persons Company also clarified that Atmospheric facility and cold ministrative quarantine strict home quarantine. The meeting among others Ganai assured that District fumigation of all quarantine on the testing of positive the Controlled Atmospher- store operations are permit- was attended by ADC, Dr Administration is always centers, the Municipal Com- cases for Covid-19 in its in- ic facility is a separate unit ted as essential services by Nasir Ahmad, GM DIC, ACD, available for any sort of help mittees of Budgam were di- dustrial units in Kashmir, and does not share common the guidelines of Govt of ACR, CMO, all Nodal Officers, to people living in red zones rected to ensure daily clean- said that the Company has locations with the agro- India and the Govt of Jammu DIO, DHO, BMOs and other and other areas and said, “We ing and lifting of garbage and multiple operating units chemical/fruit concentrate & Kashmir. concerned. will jointly fight against the waste material and its prop- across the UT and a fruit and other businesses of the “The Company has been Migrant, local laborers “Latest positive cases corona virus pandemic”. er disposal. packer/grower from Budgam, Company.” fully compliant with these might have number of con- Instructions were also The DC further said that who is not an employee of the The statement reads fur- guidelines and will adhere heave sigh of relief on tacts as reports of many work- passed on to the concerned the district administration Company and who was last ther: with the same going forward. ers of the industry have to update DC office with all in collaboration with medical at the Company’s Controlled “The Company also added We would like to ask the me- emerged positive, concerted statistics related to COVID-19 team shall carry mass sam- Atmospheric facilities on that all Covid preventive dia to be responsible in its resumption of works in Shopian efforts are needed to track on daily basis through a hard ple collection of all pregnant April 29 tested positive on measures were taken at its reporting at such a difficult all workers and their contacts copy. women, persons having re- May 6. controlled atmospheric fa- time for the society at large SO NEWS DESK pandemic. on war footing”, DC said and Emphasizing on fool-proof spiratory tract infections, “Accordingly, as a precau- cilities in line with the guide- and not publish unchecked Executive Engineer R&B added, “The suspects shall arrangements for all return- ILIs, elderly persons in all tionary measure, the Com- lines and that all 4 cases were news,” the spokesman ap- SHOPIAN, MAY 09: In a Shopian while briefing re- be quarantined and check if ees, the DC said that another red zone areas of the district. pany suspended the opera- completely asymptotic.” pealed. (KINS) bid to restart the cogwheels garding the resumption of of economy and livelihood works, he said that after of poor laborers, the local proper permission from administration has allowed higher authorities following the resumption of works at the SOPs issued by the gov- New Court Complex Shopian ernment, we have started Covid-19 cases continue COPD patients if tested positive for which is being executed by the work of new district Roads and Building depart- court complex Shopian once ment. again for its early comple- to surface from COVID-19 need ventilator support The workers were seen tion. wearing face masks and fol- The daily wage workers lowing social distancing who were seen at sites were Super Specialty Hospital AGENCIES 22 percent among ex- norms as precautionary very much happy and ap- smokers in Kashmir”. measures that are being preciated the initiative for AGENCIES hospital only after testing SRINAGAR MAY 09: This indicates over taken in view of COVID-19 resumption of R&B works. negative. More and more Patients who have been 50 percent patients who SRINAGAR MAY 09: Super attendants are found posi- tested positive for coro- develop COPD are re- Specialty Hospital (SSH) in tive for Coronavirus,” said navirus and suffering lated to smoking in Shireenbagh Srinagar is a physician. from Chronic Obstruc- Kashmir. turning out into an epicentre Earlier, a lady doctor tive Pulmonary Dis- Inhaled noxious par- of lethal Coronavirus infec- posted at Super Specialty ease need the ventilator ticles most important Director Horticulture chairs tion. Hospital (SSH) was tested support for their sur- being the tobacco Today, two staff nurses positive. An attendant of a vival. smoke cause inflam- and an attendant were found patient from Poonch district Amid surge in CO- matory response in the meeting on export positive in the hospital. In was also tested positive in VID-19 cases, less than lungs which is exag- all, three employees of the the same hospital. “It seems five percent patients gerated in some smok- hospital including a lady to be the epicenter of Coro- needed the ventilator ers and leads to char- and marketing of crops doctor are found positive navirus infection. Atten- support in Jammu and acteristic pathological for Covid-19 lethal infection. dants are found to be main Kashmir and the re- fering from COPD or quired for COVID-19 it very difficult to be lesions of COPD, it says. SO NEWS DESK Sources said that after agents of Coronavirus car- covery percentage of any chest related ail- patients who develop oxygenated in a normal The study says that the death of a youth due to riers,” said the Physician the Union Territory is ment need ventilator acute respiratory dis- way,” another doctor COPD represents an SRINAGAR MAY 9: Director Horticulture Kashmir Covid-19 in the hospital, adding that even in Bone better than national support for their sur- tress syndrome when said. important challenge today chaired a meeting regarding export and marketing samples of dozens of atten- and Joint Hospital Bar- average. vival,” a senior doctor the lungs are filled with COPD is associated that is both preventable of cherry & plum crop in present circumstances. dants were collected and zulla, 6 attendants were However, it has been at SKIMS Soura said. fluids that make it dif- with an enhanced and treatable. The meeting was attended by Bashir Ahmed Bashir today one more positive found positive. found that those who “People should not ficult to breathe. chronic inflammatory “The increase in chairman Fruit Growers Association, Majid Wafie Presi- case of an attendant sur- Pertinently, 12 positive suffer from COPD need worry Kashmir over “But we needed ven- response in the airways mortality will be large- dent C A Stores etc & various other stakeholders besides faced, besides, two staff cases surface from Kashmir ventilator support. shortage of ventilators. tilator for very less and lungs to noxious ly due to cumulative Addl. Secy. Horticulture who attended the meeting through nurses. today. 4 cases were report- “These (COPD) pa- Only critical care pa- patients which are a particles and gases. exposure of the popula- video conferencing. “We have to restrict the ed from Srinagar, Gander- tients are already fac- tients need the ventila- good sign for J&K. A A study has revealed tion to cigarette smoke Threadbare discussions were held for hassle free move- visits of attendants in the bal 4, Kupwara 2, Shopian ing breathlessness. tor support,” the doctor ventilator is used when that “COPD prevalence and the expected aging ment and marketing of the said crop in various market- hospital. Attendants should and Pulwama one each. People who are tested said. lungs are filled with was 28.2 percent among of the population,” it places and Canning Industrial units. be allowed to stay in the (KNT) positive and are suf- Ventilators are re- fluid. Such patients find current smokers and says.(KINS) SRINAGAR 04 OBSERVER SRINAGAR / SUNDAY / 10 MAY I 2020 EDIT

ing the way for peace may be more beneficial for his political future. He can point to the on- going humanitarian emergency in Iran caused by the coronavirus pandemic to explain this Sanctions make about-turn. This way, he can claim that he sorted out “the Iran problem” without admit- ting that his maximum pressure policy failed to deliver the desired results. SEYED HOSSEIN MOUSAVIAN It is impossible to ascertain which one Iran’s coronavirus of the two paths the most unpredictable US ALJAZEERA president in living memory is going to fol- low. If Trump continues to follow the advice of conflict-hungry hawks in Washington and s COVID-19 continues to wreck lives the Middle East, we can see a military esca- and livelihoods across the globe, lation between the US and Iran in the coming some countries, such as the United crisis more deadly months. This outcome would not only further AStates, seem to be suffering the con- devastate an already conflict-ridden region, sequences of this deadly pandemic more than but also exacerbate Iran’s coronavirus crisis. others, largely due to the shortsightedness of But Trump can still change course and use their governments. the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity for “hu- Indeed, President Donald Trump’s reluc- manitarian diplomacy”. tance at the outset of the pandemic to take the As a first step, he can remove the sanctions necessary measures to stem the spread of the • In the face of this global threat, the US should abandon its on Iran’s financial institutions and allow the virus in his country led to the US having the country to receive at least a portion of its oil world’s largest number of confirmed corona- maximum pressure strategy against Iran and lift sanctions. revenue. This would allow the Iranian govern- virus cases and deaths. So far, more than 1.2 ment to swiftly buy the medical equipment and million Americans have tested positive for • Protesters call for the Trump administration to ease economic drugs it needs to treat coronavirus patients. COVID-19 and some 76,000 others have lost Then he can allow Iranians living in the US their lives to this highly infectious disease. sanctions on Iran to help the country’s fight against COVID-19 to send money and medical goods to their fam- Iran is another country that was hit par- ilies back home - this would help elevate many ticularly hard by the pandemic. According to Iranian families from poverty and help Iran’s official figures, there are more than 100,000 fight against the pandemic. Next, Trump can confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iran and some 6,500 people have succumbed to the disease. Experts and officials both in Iran and abroad, however, have cast doubts over these figures, saying the real numbers of cases and deaths are likely even higher than reported. The Trump administration, seemingly in denial about its own shambolic response to the crisis, tried to blame the pandemic’s high toll in Iran on the incompetence and corrup- tion of the Iranian government. The Iranian leadership indeed made some mistakes in its handling of this public health emergency, such as initially underestimating the threat posed by the virus and failing to close the country’s borders in time. It is, however, impossible to claim that the Iranian government is solely responsible for the devastation the pandemic has caused in the country. Ever since Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and embarked on a maximum pressure strategy against Iran some two years ago, the Islamic Republic has been under strict eco- nomic sanctions that limit its ability to trade with other nations. These sanctions, which choked of Iran’s oil exports, crippled its econo- my and practically pushed it out of the interna- tional banking system, made it impossible for the country to swiftly take the necessary med- ical, economic and social measures to protect its citizens from the coronavirus. The role US sanctions have played, and continue to play, in the devastation caused by the coronavirus in Iran led to renewed discus- sions on the effectiveness, legality and legiti- macy of sanctions not only in Iran and the US, but also across the world. to the Trump administration asking for sanc- attempt to get a loan of $5bn from the World greenlight a prisoner swap between the two Political leaders, diplomats, defence offi- tions relief for Iran amid the COVID-19 crisis. Bank to combat COVID-19, but it also further countries, and end the suffering of hundreds of cials, experts, civic organisations and activists The New York Times, meanwhile, published tightened its sanctions on the country. On families who are worried about the wellbeing of from Asia to Europe have urged the Trump ad- an editorial calling for the easing of sanctions. May 6, he vetoed a US Congress resolution that their loved ones during the pandemic. ministration to ease its sanctions against Iran But there have also been calls within the would have terminated the president’s power As the final step in a “COVID-19 humani- to help the country’s fight against coronavi- US for the sanctions to not only remain in to use armed forces in hostilities against Iran. tarian diplomacy package”, Trump can allow rus and help save “hundreds of thousands of place, but also to be tightened during this Trump appears to be eager to please Sau- for the normalisation of relations between the lives”. time of crisis. A cluster of right-wing think di Arabia and Israel, the primary supporters American and Iranian peoples. By allowing In Iran, the government admitted that tanks in Washington, led by The Foundation of his administration in the Middle East, by the private sector entities, and private citi- the sanctions make it difficult to obtain vi- for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and Amer- increasing pressure on Iran during this glob- zens, in the two countries to interact normally, tal medical supplies and equipment to treat ican Enterprise (AEI), for example, have al crisis. Moreover, amid the pandemic, he Trump could trigger a surge in American-Ira- COVID-19 patients and called for their im- been aggressively lobbying the Trump ad- seems more confident than ever before that nian partnerships in many sectors, including mediate lifting. Iran’s Foreign Minister ministration to escalate militarily towards the economic sanctions would eventually medical research and development. Javad Zarif, for example, tweeted that the Iran and tighten sanctions amid the pan- force Iran to return to the negotiating table in All this would not compromise the negoti- US has moved from “economic terrorism” demic. The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, a weak and desperate position. He also likely ating positions of the two governments, but to “medical terror” by declining to lift the published an editorial claiming it is “no time believes by hardening his stance against an would encourage them to move towards peace sanctions after the beginning of the out- to end Iran sanctions”. We have seen simi- adversary during this difficult time, he can rather than war. break in Iran in mid-February, and urged lar think pieces published in other reputable rile up his support base, encourage jingoism, The novel coronavirus pandemic is the the international community to stop aiding American media organisations, such as For- and increase his chances of being re-elected in most serious public health threat our world “war crimes” by obeying “illegal and im- eign Policy and Bloomberg. November. has faced in a century. It made the inhumane moral” sanctions. For now, the Trump administration seems But the US president is known for making and unjust sanctions the US has imposed on There have also been widespread calls for to be heeding the calls from right-wing figures major U-turns when it suits his political needs Iran deadlier than ever. The Trump adminis- the lifting of sanctions in the US. Nine US pol- and institutions to use the coronavirus pan- and desires. If Iran continues to stand tall in tration should immediately change course and iticians, including former Democratic presi- demic as an opportunity to double down on the face of increasing economic, political and lift the sanctions on Iran before it is too late. If dential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Ber- its “maximum pressure” policy against Iran. diplomatic pressures, Trump may decide that it fails to do so, the consequences for millions nie Sanders, for example, sent an open letter So far, Washington has not only blocked Iran’s easing the pressures on the country, and pav- of Iranians will be dire.

Flamboyant Deceiver Or A Credulous Throng

India, we opted an option of complete hid- cycling and smuggling themselves in con- lection, automobile sale went to zero and Similarly central and state governments ing, locked ourselves within our boundar- tainer trucks and cement mixers to try to demand for non-essential commodities need to be compassionate and discern that ies,as a fight against this invisible virus, get home—a journey that was sometimes drastically reduced making it ever more the hike in fuel prices and tax on liquor forgetting the fact thatthe reference in thousands of kilometres long. With an inevitable that India will suffer a con- by 70% will add more to the woes of an al- Chanakya’s saying was in context of an extension in lockdown and when given a sumer lending cycle. A liquor sale amid ready encumbered and oppressed general invisible man and not about virus. It has provision of being able to go to their home lockdown was in consideration with an public. been more than six weeks of lockdown states, not only were these desperate work- immediate revenue generation keeping We have had many problems in the DR. PAWAN K SURI period and it seems nothing is really hap- ers charged for theirtrips but they were in view that country lost about 30,000 to past, but the present uncertain challenge [email protected] pening, time feels like it is stretched. The made to pay higher fares than usual. Keep- 40,000 crore because of alcohol ban during we are facing right now, we all wish to purpose of lockdown was not to defeat the ing in view the long term repercussions, lockdown period. However, the way people trade back. As is said “well begun is half virus but to control its spread as much as at the first place this mass migration gathered and flouted the social distancing done” meaning thereby that we need to possible and to gain time so that we could shouldn’t have been allowed and the states norms was in contrast to the purpose of it. have an equally congruous ending to com- Man proposes but God disposes”- is strengthen ourselves, strategise our pol- should have granted and provided them The continued lockdown with stringent plete the job with gratifying results. not just a proverb, but a reality that icies, look for our resources and design- with minimal basic support of food and conditions will lead to more deaths due to The virus is here to stay and the chal- whatever comes out of man’s intelli- some innovative ways to combat it.The wages that according to experts figured hunger, unemployment and psychiatric lenge is to retain the focus while allowing “gent pursuit cannot be claimed as his goal posts, guidelines and the directives to not more than Rs.68000/= crore. Large disorders. Imposing lockdown was very economic activity to start. It’s an unusu- own doing without God’s intervention. A are changing every other day and the amounts of donation, including mandato- easy but opening a lockdown is difficult. ally dynamic situation that the virus has routine daily chores with fixed schedule of decisions are being taken in a knee jerk ry deduction from the salaries of govern- Since the lockdown 3.0 is near to end, a landed humanity in, and our response time came to a sudden halt when an invis- manner on basis of whims and fantasies. ment employees, have been funnelled into careful, modest, transparent and a ought to be equally dynamic if not better. ible corona virus cemented human lives, The religious congregations along with the thePM Care’s fund, the sole purpose of well-designed incremental exit plan is The best trait humans have is their abili- bringing the time as well as memory to a premature celebration of thanks giving to which was to utilise the funds for combat- needed without losing the gains that have ty to adapt, manage and survive in every standstill. The world came up with number health careworkers and corona warriors ing, containment and relief against the been achieved through the stringent na- kind of situation. There will be initial dif- of models since the virus was noticed, vary- by lighting candles, clapping, ringing the coronavirus outbreak,in addition to help- tionwide shutdown. We should not forget ficulties, but gradually, we all will get used ing from imposing a complete lockdown to plates, showering flower petals, holding ing those afflicted by it. However, there that even after six weeks of lockdown pe- to it and make peace with the changing aggressive tracing, testing and quarantine. flypasts not only violated the norms of is no transparency in allocation offund riod, the infection rate is still higher than situations. None of the strategies seems to be a final lockdown but its motive too. Gestures are expenditure and rather than donating the global rates (% decline in Ro because of Let’s contribute in this fight by being solution and there is a need to extrapolate welcome and perhaps necessary to keep up 151 crore in this PM Care’s fund, Indian lockdown is -30% vs -60%). At an individ- responsible, accountable and heedful the model that addresses the changing de- the public morale in a time of emergency, railways should have owned the respon- ual level we need to realize that our fight mands, where the focus should be upon the but they should not replace real action. sibility of transportingthese willingly un- against this calamity cannot be solved Chief Cardiologist life and livelihood of all humans. The migrant workers, the worst affect- employed migrant workers to their home alone by donating to various funds, but SGL SuperSpeciality Hospital, As Chanakya has rightly said- “If the ed group, stranded in cities without wag- states without charging them. by modifying our lifestyle too and avoid Jalandhar enemy is invisible, better hide”. So in es and access to food, started walking, The lockdown dried up the GST col- mass gathering to the maximum extent.

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 / suNdAY / 10 May i 2020 News

Police Busts A Racket Involved In Fake Rain, Thundershowers In Kashmir Currency Scam In Kulgam After 3 Days Of Pleasant Weather AGENCIES He said light rain and thundershowers would occur SRINAGAR: After witness- during the next 24 hours in ing pleasant weather during Srinagar, where maximum the last three days, rain and and minimum temperatures thundershowers lashed the will be around 23 degree and summer capital, Srinagar 13 degree, respectively. and other parts of Kashmir Rain lashed world famous valley, resulting in dip in the health resort of Pahalgam, day temperature. about 100 km from here in south A Met department spokes- Kashmir, after sunny weather person said that light to during the last three days. moderate rain would occur Bright sunshine greeted AGENCIES there was a big racket involved at some places during the world famous ski resort of in the spread of fake currency, next 48 hours under the in- Gulmarg, about 55 km from KULGAM: Jammu and Kash- which was operating from South fluence of a Western Distur- here in north Kashmir, in the mir Police on Saturday busted a Kashmir District Kulgam. bance (WD), which has hit morning on Saturday. How- racket, involved in fake currency Accordingly, a joint team of the region on Saturday. “The ever, the ski resort, which scam and arrested two persons Bandipora and Kulgam police weather will improve from remained deserted since from Kulgam with a recovery of succeeded in nabbing two per- Monday onwards,” he said lockdown was imposed in fake currency worth 5 lac rupees, sons from Kulgam, namely Shabir He said a fresh WD, which March to curtail the spread of besides seizure of two printers. Ahmed and Gulzar Ahmed, both originated from the Arabian COVID-19, received rain in the Sources said that Bandipora residents of Kulgam. Sea and is approaching the evening, resulting in dip in the police had arrested two persons, They said that a fake currency region through Afghanistan maximum temperature. with a fake currency of 10, 000 fake of Rs. 10 lac in the denomination of and Pakistan, would hit the Rain and thundershowers notes on 24th of April, 2020 and an 2, 000, 500, 200 and 100 rupee notes region on May 13. “Under the lashed other parts of the val- FIR no. 40/2020 under stringent was recovered from the possession influence of this WD, light to ley, including Kupwara in sections of UAPA act was regis- of the accused, besides two print- heavy rain would occur at After witnessing above to a sunny Saturday morning. to moderate rain lashed in the north, Qazigund, gateway to tered against the accused in Police ers, on which fake currency was most places on May 14 and normal night temperature, The weather remained sunny city in the evening, resulting the valley and tourist resort Station Bandipora. printed. A case against relevant May 15,” he added. people in Srinagar woke up throughout the day, but light in dip in the day temperature. of Kokernag. (UNI) They said that further inves- laws was registered against the ac- tigations and questioning of the cused and further investigations arrested persons revealed that taken up. (CNS) ISM Distributes Immune Boosting Congress Urges JK UT To Take Medicine To 70000 Persons Amid Coronavirus Lockdown Various Developmental Works Of PWD and Up The Matter With MEA Evacuate Students From Kirgizstan PMGSY Department Resumed Russian, Other Foreign Countries SAJID TUFAIL LONE SO NEWS DESK and urged the UT JK to take up DODA: The District Admin- the matter with MEA inorder to istration Doda,in its endeav- SRINAGAR: The Jammu and ensure their evacuation, at the or to complete the important Kashmir Pradesh Congress earliest. SO NEWS DESK across the Kashmir division. development projects of pub- Committee (JKPCC) today I would request MEA and Explaining the benefits of lic importance in the wake urged the UT Administration to JK UT to facilitate return of SRINAGAR: At a time when Indian System of Medicines, of COVID-19, has resumed evacuate students from Kirgiz- stranded students to the respec- Jammu and Kashmir is facing AYUSH experts said that people a number of development stan (Russia) and other Foreign tive places in JK, although hun- a difficult situation due to out- can use garlic, ginger, turmeric, works in the district which Countries. dreds of students have already break of Covid-19 disease, the lemon, besides Unaab, Be-dana, will be executed by PWD and J&K Pradesh Congress Com- returned to their homes, but Department of ISM (AYUSH) is Sapistaan, Daalchini, Kaloonji PMGSY department. mittee (JKPCC) Vice President those stranded in Kirgizstan playing its role in containment to improve their immunity and District Development Com- Mohd Anwar Bhat has ex- Russia have been waiting for and prevention of corona virus consuming fresh fruits, drinking missioner, Doda,Dr Sagar D pressed serious concern over the response from the con- in Kashmir Division. luke warm water to strengthen Doifode,said that the depart- the hardships confronting cerned authorities especially Giving details about the initia- immune and respiratory sys- ment of PWD and PMGSY has stranded students in Kirgizstan MEA, PCC Vice President said tives and measures undertaken by tem is an effective remedy in commenced important works and other Foreign Countries Centre Govt has started evac- the ISM(AYUSH) to contain and fight against this disease. They in different parts of the dis- due to the lockdown in wake of uating stranded people from prevent the spread of Covid-19 pan- added that liquid Amritarishta, trict which shall be expedited Pandemic (Covid 19) different Countries, so the stu- demic in Kashmir Division, the Sharbat, Tab libest, Liquid Ash- in the coming days. Th stranded students have dents should be treated equally, Divisional Nodal Officer Covid-19 wagandha Arishta, Annu Taila As per the details received approached concerned authori- Mohd Anwar Bhat added and for Kashmir, Dr Iftikhar Hussain etc can also be used as immune from,ExEn PWD, 28 import- ties many times requesting for asked the JK UT to take up the Qazi said that as many as 350 Med- boosting medicines. ant projects were permitted to struction of road from Nation- II, Stage-II,Dallian to Dhu- their evacuation, but there was matter with MEA inorder to ical officers and 240 Pharmacists It was also informed that start by the DDC Doda out of al Highway to Shararna via munda, Stage-II,Bhalla to reportedly no response on the ensure evacuation of stranded are working round the clock as Medical Officers and Pharma- which 21 works are started ac- Shaja,Construction & Upgra- trown, Stage-I & II,Bhalla to part of neither UT JK nor MEA, students from Russia and other front line workers in their re- cists of ISM (AYUSH are per- cordingly with adequate man- dation of Shiva Allalbani link Taisana, Stage-I and II,Gatha so far, Mohd Anwar Bhat said foreign countries. spective districts to fight covid-19 forming their duties 24*7 in red power besides necessary SOP road Km 6th to 10th,Dhara to Dhalwali, Stage-II. pandemic and to strengthen the zones, contact tracing centers is being followed at the work- Shirshi Road Under Lan- DDC informed that in the immunity of the masses. and Covid-19 control rooms to ing site in letter and spirit. guishing, 100 Beeded girls wake of COVID-19 lockdown He said as per the Advisory fight this pandemic. The details of projects hostel at HSS kastigarh,Saras various projects which were Tractor Accident Killed Young Driver issued by the Union Ministry ISM Department has also set which started by the PWD Gugwa Road etc. ongoing in the district got of AYUSH, immune boosting up telemedicine facility through department are,GMC Ghat Besides PMGSY depart- stalled,So the administration IMRAN KHAN medicines are being distribut- which people can contact doctors Doda, Dhara Shirshi Road ment also resumed some im- initiated to restart work on ed in all the districts of Kash- for emergency treatment and Under Languishing,Udhyan- portant road project's in Doda several works under differ- RAJOURI: A man identified as Mohd Aslam S/O Faiz Hussain mir province and till date these general public can get in touch pur Rae Sarwala road km 1st which includes Gangalwar to ent schemes. He said that all R/ o Bhangai dies in a road accident at village Bhangai of Sub Di- immune boosting medicines on these mobile numbers: Sri- under languishing, Teaching Sarsi, Part-II, Stage-I,Doda to the requisite guidelines es- vision Thanna Mandi when he was driving a tractor from Than- have been distributed to about nagar, 7006277690, Bandipora hospital Doda,Approach Road Bhagwah (UPgradation),Gan- pecially maintaining social na mandi to bhangai .The dead body has been handed over to the 70000 persons like frontline 7889898644, Ganderbal- 7006271393, to GMC Ghat Doda,Nai Dan- ika to Kotli, Stage -II,Marsoo distancing and wearing safe- relatives of deceased by the authority after all legal formalities. A warriors, people kept in quar- Anantnag, 7889683848, Kulgam, gri link road,Hamble Dedni to Charote, Part-II, Stage-I, ty gears, are being taken into case has been register in the police station Thana Mandi. antine centers, isolation cen- 7006338425, Pulwama 9419406283, Road,Ghat via Nagri Road,B- Malwana to Jagir, Stage- consideration so as to pre- On getting the information a team led by SDPO Thanna Man- ters, people living in red zones Kupwara 7006913269, Shopian heli lal Draman Road,Con- II, Marsoo to Charote, Part- vent spread of the pandemic. di Sajjad Khan and SHO Dr.Ishan Gupta kps. rushed on the spot as well as front line workers of 7780910107 and Budgam/Baramu- and evacuated the dead body from deep gorge. civil and police administration lla 9419999445. IRCS Jammu Distributes CS Reviews Arrangements For Kashmir’s Marginalized Ration Among Needy Deboarding Stranded JK Residents Facing Starvation: NC SO NEWS DESK JAMMU: continuing its efforts to deliver food items among poor UDHAMPUR: Chief Secretary, ‘50 days of no work have exhausted all their means’ people during lockdown, Secretary India Red Cross Society Jam- BVR Subrahmanyam, today AGENCIES He demanded basic essential kits mu region, Vinod Malhotra alone with staff today distributed ra- reviewed arrangements for with required edibles in adequate tion and other food items among 45 needy families at Shiv Nagar de-boarding of people, who had SRINAGAR: National Confer- quantities for the needy. and areas near M.A Stadium. been stuck up in different states ence (NC) on Saturday expressed Demanding a comprehensive of India due to COVID-19 lock- anguish over the pathetic situa- relief package for such families, NC down, at Udhampur railway tion, the poor and the underprivi- spokesperson said, “It’s incumbent DSEJ Organizes Online Interaction Of station after they are being leged are going through owing to upon the government to ensure ba- Kindergarten Teachers With NCERT Faculty brought back to J&K through lockdown across the valley. sic essentials for people who have special trains under a unique In a statement, NC spokesper- been living from hand to mouth. initiative of the government. son Imran Nabi Dar said, “It’s re- They need to ensure that all these SO NEWS DESK Chief Secretary conducted an ally unfortunate that a huge num- people have enough and decent ba- extensive visit at Railway sta- ber of people who have been left sic commodities available to them. JAMMU: Directorate of School Education, Jammu has orga- tion Udhampur and reviewed without work for the past 50 days The concerned district magistrate nized 15-day online orientation workshop for teachers engaged the arrangements put in place are finding it impossible to make must take a lead and make sure in government’s model Kindergartens. in this regard. ment of all requisite arrangements CS also took stock of facilities two ends meet. People, both from that people in his district are not Around 60 teachers from Jammu division are undergoing Principal Secretary, Plan- being put in place to facilitate the to be extended to the passengers rural as well as urban settings, are going to bed with empty stomachs. training in NCERT’s Preschool curriculum. Through this ning, Monitoring and Informa- people reach their home town. during this process and asked the hardest hit. Most have been In addition, the concerned officials workshop, they are being acquainted with curriculum content tion Department, Rohit Kansal, On the occasion, a mock drill the District Administration to left to fend for themselves in these must make sure that people from the as well as pedagogies specific to Preschool education. Commissioner Secretary, In- was conducted during which pas- ensure that registration and al- trying times,” adding, “In times district are involved in construction Director School Education Jammu Anuradha Gupta di- dustries and Commerce, Manoj sengers de-boarded from the train location of buses to the passen- like these, the government and its work and other allied works commis- vulged that Preschools or Kindergartens are a new introduction Kumar Dwivedi, who is also the and made online registration on gers for their onward journey to agencies have to step in and help the sioned by the government agencies.” in government schools of the division and hence the teachers Nodal Officer for management, the platform for which data entry their home districts is done in underprivileged section to get over “Besides there are many who engaged with teaching kindergarten kids need to be equipped Divisional Commissioner Jam- operators have been employed to an expeditious and hassle free the crisis and live a dignified life.” have taken loans from the bank for to deal with this age group. The workshop therefore aimed mu, Sanjeev Verma, Mission record the necessary details. manner to avoid any inconve- He further added, “Like other their orchards. Some sort of mech- at building up a better understanding of pre-school pedagogy Director, National Health Mis- CS asked the officers to nience on this account. places in Kashmir, Kulgam too is anism needs to be evolved where among these participating teachers. In order to orient these sion J&K, Bhupinder Kumar, ensure greater coordination CS expressed satisfaction over facing the brunt of the 50 days lock- the interest amount can be waived teachers through best resource available in country, Director- IGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh, at all levels so that all the ar- the status of arrangements in down with no work available for the off and in extreme cases the entire ate of School Education, Jammu has organized online inter- District Development Commis- rangements and logistics work place and appreciated the Dis- majority. They and their families are amount. The horticulture activity action of participants with NCERT, Resource persons namely sioner, Udhampur Dr. Piyush smoothly. He stressed on the trict Administration for facili- suffering immensely as most of them has started and people are finding Prof. Reetu Chandra and Prof. Usha Sharma from department Singla, DIG Udhampur Reasi need of strict adherence to all tating the passengers through are not able to get basic essentials re- it difficult to get fertilizers and of Elementary Education, NCERT, New Delhi. Experts enlight- Range, Sujit Kumar, SSP, Rajiv the prescribed guidelines espe- mobile application which will quired to run a kitchen. Only rice is pesticides for their trees. Govern- ened participants with various strategies/ methodology specif- Pandey and other Divisional cially maintening social distance reduce their waiting time after not going to suffice. There are other ment must start mobile sale center ic to teaching Preschool kids. Active involvement on the part of and District level officers ac- during the process of de-board- de-boarding the train and would basic items which unfortunately are of pesticides and allied material participants is being witnessed throughout the sessions. companied the CS. ing of passengers to prevent the be able to move towards their not available to many living in far off in all the villages on subsidized Dr. Sareeta Sharma and Jaswinder Kour are coordinating CS had an extensive assess- spread of corona virus. home towns at the earliest. villages of the district, including fuel”. rates,” he added. (KNS) this workshop with active support from Sohail Wani, DRG. SRINAGAR 06 OBSERVER SRINAGAR / SUNDAY / 10 MAY I 2020 BUSINESS

Bank defaulters flee country, CBI files Franklin Templeton offers unconditional apology to Sebi case following SBI complaint after 4 yrs

New Delhi: The State Bank of India Arabia’s Riyadh and Dubai in the (SBI) has filed a complaint with the UAE as well. Central Bureau of Investigation The company’s loan account (CBI) against a Delhi-based basmati turned non-performing asset (NPA) export firm, alleging its promoters, in January 2016 after which a joint who cheated a consortium of six inspection of properties was con- banks of Rs 414 crore, are missing ducted the same year in August and and have fled the country. October. According to the complaint, seen It was found that “the entire ma- by HT, owners of Ram Dev Interna- chinery installed in the old unit tional Limited (RDIL) are said to be was removed by the borrowers. MuMbai: Franklin Tem- in the highest regard and missing since 2016 when an inspec- Borrowers were not available at pleton India apologised to unconditionally apologise tion was carried out by SBI. the time of joint inspection and markets regulator Securi- for the same,” the company The central agency registered a Haryana police security guards ties and Exchange Board said in a public statement case on April 28 naming the own- were found deployed there,” ac- of India (Sebi) over com- on Friday. ers—Suresh Kumar, Naresh Kumar cording to SBI’s complaint, which ments made by the compa- Upset over Johnson’s and Sangita—and lookout circulars February this year with a delay of CBI, Enforcement Directorate and The government had informed is now part of CBI first informa- ny’s global chief executive comments made in the (LOCs) have been issued against four years. Directorate of Revenue and Intel- Parliament last year that at least 16 tion report (FIR). Jenny Johnson, which the group’s quarterly earnings them, a procedure followed in all A spokesperson of SBI didn’t re- ligence (DRI), are currently pur- extradition requests were pending “On inquiry, it has come to know firm claimed were taken call where she said certain bank fraud cases. spond to HT’s phone calls and text suing around 50 fugitives – mostly in the UAE, the UK, Belgium, Ita- that the borrowers are absconding out of context. regulatory changes also According to National Company queries. RDIL representatives could economic offenders – living abroad, ly, Egypt, the US and Antigua and and have left the country,” it add- “We deeply regret any contributed to its decision Law Tribunal (NCLT) proceedings not be traced by HT. through red notices, extradition Barbuda against various accused ed. unintended slight this to shut the debt schemes, in 2018, in which RDIL was dragged The exposure of banks was at Rs requests and look out circulars persons. The FIR states that the accused may have caused to the Sebi said that Franklin to the tribunal by a company named 414 crore—Rs 173 crore from SBI, (LoCs). According to CBI FIR, reviewed promoters falsified the accounts, esteemed offices of Sebi Templeton should focus on Mussadi Lal Krishna Lal for a pay- Canara Bank Rs 76 crore, Union Some of the big names include by HT, RDIL was engaged in export fudged the balance sheet in order to whom we have always held refunding investors. ment default, it was informed that Bank of India Rs 64 crore, Central Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Neeshal of basmati rice to the Middle-East, gain unlawfully at the cost of bank the promoters have fled to Dubai. Bank of India Rs 51 crore, Corpo- Modi, Mehul Choksi, Nitin and Arabian and European countries funds and unauthorisedly removed Despite the fraud being detected ration Bank Rs 36 crore and IDBI Chetan Sandesara, Lalit Modi and from its three mills based in Karnal, the plants and machinery from the in 2016, SBI – the lead bank in the Bank Rs 12 crore. European middlemen Guido Ralph Haryana. It has a registered office factory premises without the con- consortium – approached CBI in Indian agencies, including the Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. in Delhi and branch offices in Saudi sent of lenders. RBI fixes new 10-year G-sec rate at 5.79% Govt borrowing for FY21 Three Ram Dev International promoters flee up to Rs 12 lakh crore India after cheating 6 banks: Officials

New Delhi: Three promot- filed by SBI, the account had ers of Ram Dev Interna- become non-performing as- tional, who were recently set (NPA) on January 27, booked by CBI for allegedly 2016. cheating six banks to the The banks conducted a tune of Rs 411 crore, have joint inspection of proper- MuMbai: The Reserve Bank according to bond dealers. already fled the country ties in August and October, of India (RBI) on Friday The new cut-off yield for before SBI could reach the nearly 7-9 months later only announced the cut-off yield the 6.45% 2029 bond, which agency, officials said on Sat- to find Haryana Police secu- on the new 10-year gov- was the earlier benchmark, urday. rity guards deployed there, ernment security paper has forced a readjustment The CBI had recently they said. at 5.79%, the lowest since in prices of all existing gov- New Delhi: The Union gov- is likely to hit the govern- booked the company engaged "On inquiry, it has been February 2009. ernment bonds, resulting ernment sharply raised its ment’s revenue collections at in the export of basmati rice come to notice that bor- This is reflective of the in some capital gains for gross borrowing programme a time when demand for re- to the West Asian and Euro- rowers are absconding and central bank’s aggressive bond holders. Bond prices for this fiscal from the bud- sources to fight the pandem- pean countries and its direc- have left the country," the rate cutting and liquidi- and yields move in oppo- geted Rs 7.8 lakh crore to Rs ic is rising. The government tors Naresh Kumar, Suresh offices in Saudi Arabia and carry out any searches in the complaint filed on February ty injection operations. site directions. 12 lakh crore, signalling a is contemplating the size and Kumar and Sangita on the Dubai for trading purposes, matter because of the corona- 25, 2020, after over a year of In post-issue trading, the “It is the RBI’s rate cut major slippage in fiscal defi- nature of a stimulus package basis of complaint from the the SBI complaint said. virus-induced lockdown, the account becoming NPA, the bond closed at 5.72% at a action that has brought the cit amid rising pressures on for the economy, including State Bank of India (SBI), Besides SBI, the other officials said. officials said. price of ₹100.55. yield down. There is still both revenue and expendi- the source of financing, to which suffered the loss of members of the consortium The agency will start the The complaint alleged While the G-sec auction enough room for the yields ture because of the Covid-19 stem the massive job losses. more than Rs 173 crore, they are Canara Bank, Union process of summoning the that borrowers had removed was notified for ₹10,000 to come down. We are pandemic. The upward revision in said. Bank of India, IDBI, Central accused, in case they do not entire machinery from old crore, the RBI has exer- expecting yields to come The “revision in borrow- the borrowings programme, The company had three Bank of India and Corpora- join the investigation, appro- plant and fudged the balance cised the greenshoe option down by 50 bps,” said Ma- ings has been necessitated though sharp, was inevitable rice milling plants, besides tion Bank. priate legal action will be ini- sheets in order to unlawful- of ₹2,000 crore. This is an in- hendra Jajoo, chief invest- on account of the Covid-19 given the estimated extent of eight sorting and grading The Central Bureau of tiated, they said. ly gain at the cost of banks' dication of strong demand ment officer, fixed income, pandemic”, the Reserve revenue loss because of the units in Karnal district with Investigation (CBI) did not According to the complaint funds, it said. for government securities Mirae Asset Investment Bank of India (RBI) said on lockdown, said Aditi Nayar, despite the extra supply, Managers (India). Friday. principal economist at Care The government will Ratings. “Higher borrowings front-load its borrowing pro- are likely to push up yields, gramme by issuing securities unless open market opera- worth Rs 4.88 lakh crore or tions or other instruments Chinese drugmaker in talks to test coronavirus vaccine globally: Report 62.56% of its gross borrowing are deployed by RBI to ab- target for FY21 in the fiscal sorb a part of the higher issu- first half, former econom- ance and crowd out borrow- he drugmaker behind one of China’s With China having largely curbed its tries to re-open their suffering economies and trials in September. Besides Sinovac’s candi- ic affairs secretary Atanu ings by state governments most promising coronavirus vaccine growth of new infections, its drugmakers will resume normal life without a surge in cases. date, Chinese scientists have three others in Chakraborty had said on and corporates. However, candidates is in talks to conduct late- need to seek international cooperation to test But vaccines typically take years to develop human trials: one from the Chinese military March 31 while unveiling the less pressure on expenditure Tstage trials globally as the race for their vaccine candidates in other countries -- a and still do not exist for many diseases, like in collaboration with Tianjin-based CanSino borrowing calendar for FY21. compression to offset expect- immunization against Covid-19 intensifies. task that may be complicated by tensions be- HIV. Biologics Inc., and two from state-owned Chi- On Friday, RBI said the gov- ed revenue shortfall would Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech Ltd. is in dis- tween China and some nations, especially the While declining to specify which countries na National Biotec Group Co. ernment will borrow Rs 6 lakh allow economic activity to cussion with regulators in other countries, U.S., over how and where the virus originated. they plan to hold trials in, Sinovac’s Yin hint- CanSino’s effort also has plans to go global: crore for the remainder of the display a semblance of recov- and the World Health Organization, to launch Search for Virus Origin Heats Up as WHO ed that the U.S. is an ideal location. “The U.S. the company submitted an application last fiscal’s first half. ery in the latter part of this phase III clinical trials in regions where the Seeks Mission to China has the most developed biotech industry, the month to conduct clinical trials for its vaccine The countrywide lock- fiscal,” she said. novel coronavirus is still spreading rapidly, Sinovac is one of three Chinese companies most sophisticated regulatory framework and in Canada. down aimed at curbing the The increase in the gross CEO Yin Weidong said in an interview Thurs- at the forefront of efforts to halt a pandemic its epidemic is now the worst,” he said. Phase III Challenge spread of Covid-19 and con- borrowing programme could day. that’s sickened over 3.8 million people world- The Drugs and Vaccines That Might End Most of the leading efforts are now in the sidered the severest in the push up fiscal deficit to 5.5% “To evaluate whether the vaccine can give wide and killed nearly 270,000. While there are the Coronavirus Pandemic midst of phase I and II of clinical trials, where world, has led to a sudden of gross domestic product protection, we need to study the relation be- over 100 vaccines in development globally, American drugmakers like Moderna Inc. experimental vaccines are administered to halt in business activity with (GDP) in FY21 from the tween disease incidence and vaccination,” only around 10 have reached the crucial final also have vaccine candidates in human trials, hundreds of healthy individuals to see wheth- both manufacturing and ser- budgeted 3.5% of GDP, said Yin said. “You can’t do that when there’s no stage of human testing. as do researchers from Oxford University. er they’re safe and can elicit an immune re- vices PMIs plummeting to Madan Sabnavis, chief econ- cases.” A working vaccine is the best hope for coun- Johnson & Johnson is likely to start human sponse. record lows in April. This omist, Care Ratings. US unemployment surges to a Depression-era level

washiNgtoN: The coronavirus crisis least 3.9 million people and killed over millions of Americans as employed in ousted from a government research has sent U.S. unemployment surging to 276,000, including more than 77,000 in April even though their employers had agency after raising concerns over- 14.7%, a level last seen when the coun- the U.S., according to a tally by Johns closed down. If they had been counted use of an unproven drug that Trump try was in the throes of the Depression Hopkins University based on official correctly, unemployment would have touted as a remedy for COVID-19. Fed- and president Franklin D Roosevelt data. White House officials announced been nearly 20%, the government said. eral investigators found “reasonable was assuring Americans that the only that vice president Mike Pence’s press However, the Labor Department grounds” that he was punished for thing to fear was fear itself. secretary has the coronavirus, the sec- doesn’t change the results submitted speaking out and should be reinstated, And because of government errors ond person at the complex known to by its survey-takers because that could his lawyers said. and the particular way the Labor De- test postive this week, and said safety be seen as political manipulation. As Election Day nears, the president partment measures the job market, the protocols were being stepped up. Also, people who are out of work will be judged on how he handles not just true picture is even worse. By some The unemployment report indicated but aren’t actually looking for a new the economic crisis but the health one. calculations, the unemployment rate that the vast majority of those laid off job are not officially counted as unem- Just months ago, the Trump cam- stands at 23.6%, not far from the De- in April — roughly 75% — consider ployed. An estimated 6.4 million people paign planned to hammer its Democrat- pression peak of nearly 25%. their job loss temporary, a result of fit that description last month, proba- ic opponent this spring with negative The Labor Department said Friday businesses that were forced to close bly because they saw little prospect of ads while touting the strong economy. that 20.5 million jobs vanished in April suddenly but hope to reopen and recall finding work given the shutdowns. But since the outbreak, the re-election in the worst monthly loss on record, staffers. Counting them as unemployed would team has grown increasingly worried triggered by coast-to-coast shutdowns Whether most of those workers can push the rate up further, to almost 24%, about Trump’s standing in key states of factories, stores, offices and other return anytime soon, though, will be according to calculations by economist such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Flor- businesses. determined by how well policymakers, Leslie Calhoun lost his job cleaning were “no surprise” and later added Heidi Shierholz of the Economic Policy ida. More than one-fifth of Michigan’s The breathtaking collapse is certain businesses and the public deal with the casinos after 20 years. He, his wife, that he’s in “no rush” to negotiate an- Institute. workers are on unemployment. to intensify the push-pull across the health crisis. Economists worry it will their two daughters and his sister-in- other financial rescue bill. Though some businesses are begin- Former vice president Joe Biden, US over how and when to ease stay- take years to recover all the jobs lost. law are surviving on his wife’s pay- An emerging Democratic aid pack- ning to reopen in certain states, facto- meanwhile, has seized on the crisis at-home restrictions. And it robs pres- The meltdown has occurred with check from a medical facility as he age is expected to include eye-popping ries, hotels, restaurants, resorts, sport- as part of his overall attempt to cast ident Donald Trump of the ability to startling speed. In February, unem- wrestles with an unemployment sys- sums, centered on nearly $1 trillion ing venues, movie theaters and many Trump as caring only about the wealth- point to a strong economy as he runs ployment was at a more than 50-year tem that has paid him nothing since he that states and cities are seeking to pre- small businesses are still largely shut- iest Americans. for reelection. low of 3.5%, and the economy had add- applied in March. vent mass layoffs as governments reel tered. The government is dispensing In Europe, this week the Bank of En- “The jobs report from hell is here,” ed jobs every month for a record 9 1/2 “The bills are piling up,” he said. from the one-two punch of skyrocket- nearly $3 trillion to help households gland projected that Britain will see its said Sal Guatieri, senior economist at years. In March, unemployment was “We’re eating a lot of ramen noodles ing pandemic costs and dismal tax re- and businesses pull through, including biggest annual economic decline since BMO Capital Markets, “one never seen 4.4%. and hot dogs. What I wouldn’t give for ceipts in the shuttered economy. $1,200-per-person relief checks and an 1706. Unemployment in the 19-country before and unlikely to be seen again “In just two months the unemploy- a nice meal of baked chicken and steak, The nonpartisan Congressional Bud- extra $600 in weekly unemployment eurozone is expected to surpass 10% barring another pandemic or meteor ment rate has gone from the lowest some fresh vegetables.” get Office has projected that the jobless benefits. in coming months as more people are hitting the Earth.” rate in 50 years to the highest rate in al- The last time unemployment was rate will still be 9.5% by the end of 2021. Trump has pushed aggressively to laid off. That figure is expected to re- On Wall Street, stocks pushed higher most 90 years,” said Gus Faucher, chief this high was in 1939 at the tail end of As bad as Friday’s numbers were, get businesses up and running again main lower than the U.S. rate, in part as investors reckoned that the worst of economist at PNC Financial. the Depression, before the U.S. entered they don’t capture the full magnitude amid warnings from health experts because millions of workers in places the job losses are over. The Dow Jones Nearly all the job growth achieved World War II. of the devastation. that easing up too soon could lead to a such as France and Germany are stay- Industrial Average gained more than during the 11-year recovery from the Trump, who faces the prospect of In a sort of footnote, the Labor De- deadly second wave of infections. ing on payrolls with the help of gov- 455 points, or close to 2%. financial meltdown has now been lost high unemployment rates through the partment acknowledged that its sur- Critics of the coronavirus response ernment aid that covers much of their Worldwide, the virus has infected at in one month. November election, said the figures vey-takers erroneously classified have included Dr. Rick Bright, who was salaries. News SRINAGAR /SUNDAY / 10 MAY I 2020 07

Trump Admin Working To Temporarily Ivanka Trump’s Personal Assistant Tests Ban Work-Based Visas: Report Positive For Coronavirus WASHINGTON: The US is Trump had signed an executive working to temporarily ban the order temporarily barring new issuance of some work-based immigrants for 60 days, includ- visas like H-1B, popular among ing family members of US citi- highly-skilled Indian IT profes- zens. “The coming changes, the sionals, as well as students visas administration has suggested, and work authorisation that will build on this April action,” accompanies them, amidst the the journal said. high level of unemployment due Given the high level of un- to the coronavirus, according to employment and joblessness, a media report on Friday. according to the daily, senior The H-1B is a non-immigrant administration officials are op- WASHINGTON: Ivanka He said Miller had not come visa that allows US companies erating on the assumption that Trump’s personal assistant into contact with him but spent to employ foreign workers from the public, during the pandem- has tested positive for the some time with Pence. countries like India and China ic, will be willing to accept new deadly coronavirus, making One of Trump’s personal in speciality occupations that limits on immigration. her the third White House valets tested positive for the require theoretical or technical “Though the scope of the staff member to be infected coronavirus on Thursday. expertise. Nearly 500,000 mi- order hasn’t yet been decided, from Covid-19, a media re- Following the news of the grant workers are employed in administration officials said it port said on Saturday. valet’s illness, Trump said the US in the H-1B status. could range from suspensions of The assistant, who works he would be tested for the “The president’s immigra- entire visa categories to the cre- in a personal capacity for US coronavirus daily. tion advisers are drawing up ation of incentives to hire Amer- President Donald Trump’s According to a senior of- plans for a coming executive icans in industries hardest-hit daughter, has not been ficial, contact tracing was order, expected this month, that More than 33 million Amer- The monthly jobs report istration, having temporarily by layoffs,” The Wall Street around her in several weeks, performed inside the White would ban the issuance of some icans have lost their jobs in on Friday said that the unem- closed borders and curtailed Journal reported. the CNN reported. House after Miller’s test new temporary, work-based vi- the last two months due to the ployment rate in the US for the immigration in response to the The Wall Street Journal re- She has been teleworking came positive. sas,” The Wall Street Journal coronavirus pandemic that month of April rose to 14.7 per coronavirus pandemic, is mov- port came a day after a group of for nearly two months and was The White House is now reported Friday. “The order is has brought the US economy to cent. This is the highest rate ing to expand those restrictions four Republican Senators in a tested out of caution, the report making sure staffers wear expected to focus on visa cate- a standstill. The IMF and the and the largest over-the-month while the president’s advisers letter urged Trump to suspend quoted a source as saying. masks in the White House gories including H-1B, designed World Bank have projected a increase in the history of the push to leave them in place for all new guest worker visas for 60 She was not symptomatic. residence, and coronavi- for highly skilled workers, and negative growth rate for the series, seasonally adjusted data months or even years to come, days and some of its categories, Ivanka and her husband Jar- rus tests and temperature H-2B, for seasonal migrant country. White House officials are available back to January according to several people fa- including the H-1B visa, for at ed Kushner both tested neg- checks are being boosted workers, as well as student visas say that the US economy is like- 1948, the US Bureau of Labor miliar with the matter, The Wall least the next year or until un- ative on Friday, the person throughout the West Wing. and the work authorization that ly to grow at negative 15 to 20 per Statistics said. Street Journal reported. employment figures return to familiar with the matter told The West Wing is also being accompanies them,” it said. cent in the second quarter. As such, the Trump admin- Last month, President Donald normal levels in the country. the US news channel. The de- sanitised on a more frequent velopment comes a day after basis, the official said. President Trump confirmed Pence, who leads the that Vice President Mike White House coronavirus Pence’s press secretary Ka- task force, recently went Tamil Nadu challenges Madras WHO Readies Coronavirus tie Miller had tested positive on a trip to the Mayo Clin- HC order to shut down liquor for the coronavirus. ic without wearing a face App For Checking Symptoms “She’s a wonderful young mask, despite being told shops in Supreme Court woman, Katie, she tested about the clinic’s policy say- CALIFORNIA: The World tracing. Mariano said he wants to in- very good for a long period of ing they’re required. Trump NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu on Needhi Maiam (MNM). Health Organization (WHO) Several countries are ramp- clude additional tools beyond time and then all of a sudden also declined to wear a mask Saturday moved the Supreme The HC in its interim or- plans to launch an app this ing up contact tracing, or the the symptom checker, includ- today she tested positive,” this week during portions of Court to challenge Madras der on Wednesday declined month to enable people in un- process of finding, testing ing a self-help guide for mental Trump said during a meet- his tour of a mask-making fa- High Court’s order to close all to quash the counter-sale of der-resourced countries to as- and isolating individuals who health care. ing at the White House. cility in Arizona. state-run liquor shops and al- liquor allowed by the state gov- sess whether they may have crossed paths with an infectious The team also is considering low online sale of booze instead ernment from May 4 in accor- the novel coronavirus, and is individual. It is seen as vital to what the WHO refers to as prox- during the lockdown period, re- dance with the Central guide- considering a Bluetooth-based safely opening economies, and imity tracing. ported a news agency. lines for the regulation of the contact tracing feature too, an apps that automate parts of the Engineers have done prelimi- The Madras High Court on third phase of lockdown. The official told Reuters on Friday. process could accelerate efforts. nary work and talked to smart- ‘Not Suffering From Any Friday had ordered the closure guidelines allow for the reopen- The app will ask people about The WHO expects its app to phone operating system makers of the liquor shops observing ing of liquor vends after nearly their symptoms and offer guid- draw interest in other countries, Apple Inc and Google about pos- Disease’: Amit Shah Debunks their operation led to crowding 43 days of closure in all three ance on whether they may have including some in South Amer- sibly adopting technology the in violation of the guidelines zones- Red, Orange and Green. Covid-19, the potentially lethal ica and Africa where case num- companies plan to release joint- Rumours Around His Health issued to contain the spread It, however, specifies that the illness caused by the coronavi- bers are rising. They may lack ly this month to make tracing NEW DELHI: Home minis- of the coronavirus pandemic. principle of physical distanc- rus, said Bernardo Mariano, chief the technology and engineers to easier. ter Amit Shah declared on Citing reports that maintain- ing to prevent the spread of the information officer for the WHO. develop apps or be struggling to The technology relies on Saturday afternoon that he ing social distancing norms at disease must be observed at the Other information, such as how offer testing and education. virtual “handshakes” between is healthy and not suffering the liquor shops had become shops. to get tested, will be personalized “The value is really for coun- phones that come within a few from any disease, nixing all difficult, the court had allowed Huge crowds have been wit- according to the user’s country. tries that do not have anything,” feet of each other for at least five rumours circulating around doorstep delivery of liquor us- nessed at most state-run liquor Though the WHO will release Mariano said. “We would be minutes. Phones keep anony- his health. ing online sales method. shops in Tamil Nadu with peo- a version on app stores globally, leaving behind the ones that are mised logs of such encounters, In a detailed Twitter post, Tamil Nadu State Marketing ple disrespecting the require- any government will be able to not able to (provide an app), that allowing someone who later Shah pointed out how for the past Corporation (TASMAC), which ment for minimum physical take the app’s underlying technol- have fragile health systems.” tests positive to anonymously several days, some friends have is the state agency in charge of distancing in violation of the ogy, add features and release its Engineers and designers, includ- send notifications to recent con- spread many rumours about the sale of alcoholic beverages guidelines. The move to allow own version on app stores, Maria- ing some who previously worked at tacts about their possible expo- his health through social media. should enjoy their imaginary in the state, has challenged the the sale of liquor has been crit- no said in a phone interview. Alphabet Inc’s Google and Micro- sure to the virus. He said many people have even thoughts. So I did not give any Madras High Court order and icised by opposition parties in India, Australia and the soft Corp, have been volunteering But Mariano said legal and tweeted praying for his death. clarification. petitioned the Supreme Court the state and others. United Kingdom already have for weeks to develop the new app privacy considerations have pre- “The country is currently “But millions of my party for the permission to sell booze Resuming hearing on the released official virus apps us- with about five of them overseeing vented the WHO from commit- fighting a global epidemic like workers and my well wishers directly through shops as well. matter on Friday, the high court ing their own technology, with the process. They are designing it ting to such a feature yet. He ex- corona and as I keep busy be- have expressed a lot of concern The Madras High Court or- observed that there was a total common features including tell- open-source on the hosting service pressed concern about the many ing the home minister of the since the last two days. I can- der was passed on a plea filed violation of its interim order for ing people whether to get tested GitHub, meaning code is open to businesses pitching proximity country, I did not pay attention not ignore their concern. So I by advocate G Rajesh and an- strict implementation of all ap- based on their symptoms and public input. tools turning around and using to all of this. When this came want to clarify today that I am other by actor turned politi- propriate rules, and directed the logging people’s movements to Several team members de- any personal data they gather to to my notice late at night, I perfectly healthy and I do not cian Kamal Haasan-led Makkal shops to down shutters. enable more efficient contact clined to comment. generate revenue later. thought that all these people have any disease,” said Shah. US Objects To UN Resolution On Coronavirus Amid China Dispute UNITED NATIONS: The United people dying from the coronavirus in Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan States has objected to a proposed U.N. Ohio’s nursing homes has continued to split the state into four regions that resolution on the coronavirus pandem- increase at an alarming pace. can advance — or be forced to pull back ic after diplomats said it had agreed Close to 500 residents of long-term — independently of the others based on to compromise language with China care centers have died of COVID-19 in certain factors. Chicago is included in that didn’t directly mention the World the past three weeks, according to data the northeastern region along with Health Organization. released by the state this week. That’s the rest of Cook County and eight sur- The WHO is an issue of growing dis- nearly double the total reported for the rounding counties. pute between the world’s two major previous two weeks. ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Add the economic powers. The increase in deaths could be Miss America pageant to the list of The U.S. objection to the Security attributed to a significant jump or events canceled this year because of Council resolution drafted by France a backlog of cases being added over the coronavirus pandemic. and Tunisia reflects rising tensions the past week, said Melanie Amato, a The Miss America Organization between Washington and Beijing, and spokeswoman for the state health de- announced Friday that a competition apparent differences within the Trump partment. will not be held this year. The pageant administration. Since mid-April, more than 4,300 will resume next year, which will be its It also leaves the U.N.’s most pow- nursing home residents and staff mem- 100th anniversary. erful body impotent on reacting to the bers have tested positive for the virus. The most recent Miss America, Ca- greatest crisis facing the world — and The numbers don’t tell the entire mille Schrier of Virginia, was crowned unable to back Secretary-General An- story of how the virus has devastated in December at Mohegan Sun Arena in tonio Guterres’ March 23 call for global nursing homes during the pandem- Connecticut. cease-fires to tackle the COVID-19 pan- ic because the Ohio Department of A location for the 2020 pageant had demic, which diplomats said all 15 Se- Health has only released the totals for not yet been announced. Its longtime curity Council members agree on and just the past three weeks. home had been Atlantic City, aside is the main point of the resolution. Before that, the state didn’t require from a brief detour to Las Vegas. But the United States and China, ve- local health departments to report SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Califor- to-wielding permanent council members, nursing home deaths linked to the vi- nia’s nonpartisan legislative analyst have been at odds for almost seven weeks rus, so any numbers collected before says the state can expect budget defi- over including a reference to the WHO. mid-April may not be accurate, Amato cits through at least 2024 because of the President Donald Trump suspended said Friday. coronavirus pandemic. funding to WHO in early April, accus- Overall, the nursing home deaths re- Legislative Analyst Gabriel Petek re- ing the U.N. health agency of failing to ported since April 15 account for 40% of leased an analysis on Friday showing stop the virus from spreading when it all the virus-related deaths in Ohio since ly shared condiments from tables. lowed to open for limited outdoor residents continuing to stay home the deficits could total up to $126 billion first surfaced in China, saying it “must the first one was reported in mid-March. “A lot of iconic restaurants have dining. Next week, McMaster said he through the month of May to limit depending on the severity of the recession. be held accountable,’’ and accusing the COLUMBIA, S.C. — Restaurants actually gone out of business, and the would likely address “close-contact” the spread of the coronavirus, which Petek says the deficit for the upcom- WHO of parroting Beijing. throughout South Carolina can soon re- whole state regrets that,” the governor businesses like hair and nail salons, has killed 1,248 people in the nation’s ing budget year could be as high as $31 China strongly supports the WHO open with limited, indoor dining service. said Friday, in announcing what he which have been closed for weeks to third-largest city. billion. Democratic Gov. Gavin New- and insisted that its role in calling for Starting Monday, Gov. Henry McMas- calls “phase 2” of a process to get din- help slow the spread. Lightfoot’s plan projects substantial som’s administration is projecting a global action on COVID-19 be includ- ter said restaurants could open for in- ing rooms back open. CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Lori changes to life in the city even after re- deficit of $54.3 billion in the upcoming ed in any resolution, diplomats said, door dining as long as they kept patrons The Republican governor is gradu- Lightfoot has released the city’s five-step strictions start to loosen, including con- budget year. while the U.S. insisted on no mention to 50% occupancy, placed tables 6-to-8 ally lifting restrictions initially put in path toward reopening, which includes tinuing to require people to wear face The numbers are different because of WHO and a reference to “transpar- feet apart and followed stringent clean- place to stem the coronavirus outbreak some stricter standards than the state coverings through the fourth phase. Chi- the governor’s projection is based on ency” on the COVID-19 pandemic, ing and sanitizing guidelines. Among and promising to soon discuss reopen- plan released earlier this week. cago is in the second phase of the plan, his January budget proposal. The Leg- which China opposed. the new guidelines are to keep hand san- ing other businesses. The Democratic mayor warned on which requires people to stay home ex- islative Analyst’s Office estimate is COLUMBUS, Ohio — The number of itizer at entrances and remove previous- This week, restaurants were al- Friday that progress is dependent on cept for essential activities or work. based on the current budget. SRINAGAR SUNDAY OBSERVER SPORTS 10 MAY 2020 SRINAGAR

Pune-based Virat Kohli picks his cricket museum buys two favourite Azhar Ali’s bat It was an incredibly tough international matches new deLhi: India captain time reflects and regrets Virat Kohli has been a part of many memorable matches and in a lot of those matches, he was at the forefront of India’s victories. But like major- ity of India’s 15-member ALEX World Cup squad in 2011, the final against Sri Lan- ka, which ended India’s 28-year wait for the ODI World Cup at the Wank- hede Stadium in Mumbai, which has wreaked havoc HALES is also Virat Kohli’s favou- across the world. Karachi: A cricket museum based in India has bought rite match. Kohli, the current India a bat auctioned by Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali to Kohli had scored a cru- skipper, has admitted the raise funds for the needy during the ongoing crisis of cial 35 coming in to bat “magical” atmosphere Covid-19 pandemic. at No. 4 after the fall of will be missing if the Azhar had put two of his precious belongings — the Sachin Tendulkar’s wick- cricket season currently bat he used to score 302 runs against the West Indies et and forged an 83-run stalled by the COVID-19 in a Test in 2016 and the jersey he wore during the 2017 stand for the thrid wicket pandemic resumes in emp- Champions Trophy final win over India — on an online with Gautam Gambhir to ty stadiums. auction to raise funds for the people affected by the stabilise India’s chase. “It’s quite a possible sit- deadly disease. In addition to that uation, it might happen, I Both the bat and jersey were signed by members of the glorious moment at the honestly don’t know how Pakistan team. Wankhede, Kohli also has everyone is going to take The Pakistan had announced on social media that he another match that he will that because we all are had kept a base price of one million each for the bat and London: Alex Hales, the swash- "I feel on top of everything of Nottingham and being in the cricket helped his longevity in always remember -- the used to playing in front of jersey and they had been sold for Rs2.2 million, said a re- buckling England batsman, re- and the chapter of Bristol and middle of nowhere, with peace the shortest form of the game." 2016 World T20 quarter-fi- so many passionate fans,” port of Press Trust of India on The New Indian Express mains hopeful of an internation- its aftermath is firmly closed and quiet. For the first time in If you speak to any coach I've nal game against Austra- Kohli said. website. al comeback after topping the now. I am just looking forward maybe three years, in the last played under in the last 12 lia in Mohali played on “Things will still go on, He confirmed that Blades of Glory Cricket Museum, charts as the leading run-scorer to enjoying the next few years of few months I've been in a great months, I feel I've matured as March 27 -- where his un- but I doubt that one will based in Pune, bought the bat by making a winning offer in T20s since May 2019. The 31 my career and, more important- place with my cricket and my a player. I try to offer as much beaten 82 helped the Men feel that magic happen- of Rs1 million for the bat. year-old also admitted to being ly, my life, and just see where it private life. It's been a breath of leadership as possible. Only in Blue snatch a thrilling ing inside because of the Azhar said that the auction of the shirt also generated 'mentally exhausted' post the takes me" fresh air, being out of the public playing T20 will probably help six-wicket win with five atmosphere that was cre- a lot of interest and Kash Villani, a Pakistani based in exclusion from England's World The Notts batsman confessed eye and all of the scrutiny that my longevity. I used to have balls to spare and enter ated. California, came up with the highest bid of Rs.1.1 mil- Cup squad last year. "It's the best I've played in my came with it." Whilst reflecting back issues, but since I've the semi-finals of the tour- “We will play sports lion for the shirt before the conclusion of the auction. "I am always going to have a career". on his exile from the World Cup stepped away from the longer nament. how it is supposed to be Jamal Khan, another Pakistani based in New Jersey, part of me that thinks I should "My England career has been squad, Hales noted that "Initial- format, that is no longer a prob- “Apart from the 2011 played, but those mag- also donated Rs100,000 for the cause. have been part of that (World pretty good so far in T20 and ly it was tough, but I don't find lem. I'd like to play into my late finals, my other favour- ical moments will be “I put two of my closest belongings on auction with Cup squad) if I hadn't made a that's not even playing to the it tough to watch back now. It's 30s if I can keep my level of per- ite match from the atmo- difficult to come by,” he base price of 1 million PKR each to support people suf- few errors in my personal life," best of my ability. I'd love to get something the whole country formance and desire." sphere and importance of added. fering due to the ongoing crisis. Auction starts now and Hales revealed in an interview that chance again. I've moved should be proud of. The game Not too long ago, England's the game point of view, He, however, believes will close on 11:59 PM 05 May, 2020,” Azhar had tweeted. with Sportsmail. I just hope the on and grown from the mistakes of cricket in this country is a lot white-ball skipper Eoin Mor- would be the 2016 T20 playing without fans in at- damage that's been done isn't I've made in my private life and bigger than my feelings " gan mentioned that 'Alex Hales quarter-finals against tendance would not damp- terminal and I get another bite hopefully people can forgive "But at the same time, you can return to the international Australia in Mohali,” en the competitive side of of the cherry," he added. and forget. Hopefully I get that look back on what the guys fold if he gains back the trust of Kohli said while speaking matches. Hales was dropped from all chance again because I feel I'm achieved and it's nothing short the management and players'. on Star Sports ‘Cricket “I know matches will be England squads, including the in a good head space," he further of what they deserve. The deter- When you are playing in these Connected’ show. played at a very good in- I feel for spinners in World Cup, after failing a sec- added. mination, hard work and talent T20 tournaments, there are so However, India had tensity,” he said. ond ECB recreational drugs Hales also revealed that in that team was incredibly spe- many around the world, you to face a crushing sev- “But that feeling of the Australia: Usman Khawaja test ahead of the international he's moved his house 'from the cial. Obviously, it's gutting to need to enjoy your time off. It en-wicket defeat at the crowd connecting with the summer last year. The dashing crowded areas of Nottingham not get the final showcase at the is precious and short-lived. I'd hands of West Indies in the players and the tension of opening batsman though turned and being in the middle of no- World Cup, but to be a part of only had a week or two off since semi-final. the game where everyone the tide by proving his consis- where, with peace and quiet, that for three or four years, I am mid-July last year, so I was The cricketing activ- goes through it in the sta- tency in T20 tournaments all ten miles north of Trent Bridge. very proud of that," he clarified. ready for some down time - but ities at the moment re- dium, those emotions are around the globe in the last 12 "I've really enjoyed just being Hales also credited that now I am itching to get back out main suspended due to difficult to recreate,” he months. away from the crowded areas 'stepping away from red-ball there ," he concluded. the COVID-19 pandemic added.

This Kuttappa was the 'When I first met Sachin, I didn't Baahubali of Coorg hockey hear anything he spoke'

Coorg: The world of hockey on dashing wick- There is nothing sweeter terms of responsibility, it was Sydney: Left-handed batsman Usman Khawaja has Friday mourned an amazing et-keeper batsman than getting your family's baptism by fire. But Kishan voiced his concern for the spinners in Australia, saying man who promoted the game from Jharkhand - unconditional support while shone through, conjuring a the lack of quality tweakers could leave the nation ex- in Coorg by tapping into ethnic Arings a bell, doesn't opting for an adventurous fifty on his first-class debut. posed like it was after Shane Warne’s retirement. pride and kept it alive in the it? Fair to say that Ishan Kis- career like cricket. But that "The first time I got select- According to Khawaja, his Queensland teammate face of inroads made by pack- han has a huge benchmark to alone doesn't assure a smooth ed to play for Jharkhand in Mitchell Swepson -- who has played just 1 T20I so far -- is aged cricket. live up to, given that his des- ride. The initial steps are the Ranji Trophy, mummy the best spinner in Australia apart from Nathon Lyon. Pandanda Kuttappa, a leg- ignation and roots were iden- bound to be difficult, with the used to keep the paper cut- However, he is reluctant to bowl Swepson at domestic endary figure in Coorg and tical to one of India's greatest uncertainty taking the box tings from the newspaper and level because pitch conditions often don’t suit spinners co-founder of the famous Ko- glovesmen and limited-overs seat. Ishan's father Pranav look at it in the morning." in Australia. dava Hockey Festival, died of batsmen. Kumar Pandey, a builder by Kishan gushes. “It’s really hard, even for me as a captain, to get (Swep- old age-related problems on There were differences too. profession, reveals those test- He also adds that being a son) into the game when the ball is hooping around cor- Thursday. For starters, Kishan bats in ing days. free-stroking player came ners and you’re playing on really green decks,” Khawa- He is survived by his wife, the top order generally and is "Initially, it was a struggle. naturally to him. "From my ja told Fox Sports News. two daughters and a son, and not only struck a chord in the The Family Hockey Tour- a southpaw. However, given (both brothers) were play- childhood, I just loved to play “He’s always been a part of our team and he’s always remembered by countless coffee plantations of Coorg, it nament not only sees intense the playing style, there was ing," Pandey tells. "We were shots. Never really liked to there no matter what the wicket is because he’s such a thousands who love hockey. made the region a nursery for competition but also draws bound to be hype around him. struggling to get the pads and leave the ball or defend it. good bowler. But it’s really hard to get him in the game He was 85. the game, producing an entire thousands to the hockey pitch. While Kishan is yet to play the bat of his (Ishan's) size. Always loved to attack and sometimes because the wickets weren’t really favouring Along with his brother Pan- sequence of star players who Interestingly, it has no gen- for India, he has got sufficient Once there was a selection liked the sound the ball made spin. danda Kashi Ponnappa, Kut- graced the Indian national der bar for the participating exposure in the IPL and in do- for Under 14, a trial for SGFI off the bat. I never got ruf- “I feel for spinners in Australia and we need to be tappa designed the Kodava team. teams. Women could play in mestic cricket, areas where and Ishan wanted to go, 'we fled by the bowler's height or careful here because we have an absolute genius in Na- Hockey Festival as a family Paying rich tributes to Kut- the same team as men. he has shown flashes of his said ok, anyway he won't get pace. For me, it was always than Lyon...but who’s coming after him?” hockey tournament exclusive- tappa, Hockey India on Friday On an average, 250 families bubbling talent. through'. He played 2-3 good about where the bowler was Lyon, 32, is expected to lead Australia’s spin attack for ly for Kodava families. When recalled his contribution to the send teams to the tournament In a country where crick- shots and selectors selected going to land it, and how I a few more years. However, Khawaja is concerned about it started in 1997—with financ- sport and his crucial role in which is usually played during et is no less than a religion, him. would tackle that." the Warne-sized gulf forming behind the off-spinner. es arranged by the brothers popularising the game in the April-May every year. Kishan too was bitten by the "He got the chance to do As with any bright young After Warne’s retirement from the game, Australia themselves--few thought it south and making Coorg the Despite there being no age sporting bug. Fortunately for wicketkeeping in a couple of Indian cricketer, an IPL con- have tried as many as 14 spinners before settling on would be anything more than a breeding ground for hockey in or gender bar for participat- him, he wasn't the only one games and he did well. The tract happened for Kishan Lyon who has played 96 Tests, 29 ODIs and just 2 T20Is. vanity event for a few years be- the country. ing in the matches, the tour- having the ambition. selectors seeing that he was who first represented the “Unless we have spinners playing day in and day out, fore everybody packed up and “We are truly saddened by nament is highly competitive, "Cricket for me is every- doing well at such a young now-defunct Gujarat Lions getting involved in those match scenarios across the went home. They were wrong. the demise of Pandananda involving high-caliber hockey. thing," he says. "It was a age, they selected him in the franchise before being picked country, we’re going to suffer,” said Khawaja who was The tournament tapped into Kuttappa. We share his fami- Some strict rules apply: dream of my dad that I should state team." up by Mumbai Indians. recently omitted from the list of centrally-contracted the Kodava identity and gave ly’s grief and pray for his soul. such as that all members of a play for India, in fact, the Kishan's debut for Among the several IPL mem- players by Cricket Australia. it an intensity money-funded Kuttappa’s contribution to team must belong to the same dream of my mother too that I Jharkhand happened during ories, Kishan singles out the “Just like we suffered when Warnie left. I think we tournaments cannot match hockey especially in the Koda- clan and participate in full should play for India and win December 2014, in an away most riveting moment from had a similar situation where Tassie was really green, – be it the derby frenzies of va region will be remembered hockey attire. It is for a woman a lot of matches for the coun- fixture against Assam. Hav- his experiences. they were trying to make really green wickets. football in England or the Ox- for generations,” HI president to decide whether she wants to try. I also want to play for ing slotted in as the wicket- "I still remember the time “These guys need to bowl so hopefully this year we’ve ford v Cambridge boat race. Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad said represent her father’s family or India, and for that whatever I keeper, he also opened the when I first met Sachin paaji got wickets that are favourable for everyone,” he added. The Kodava Hockey Festival in a statement. husband’s.Git por lii contera. have to do, I will do." batting in the first innings. In (Tendulkar). The Hundred not profitable at this point, says Surrey chief executive

urrey chief executive Richard loss situation for the first season of he told Sky Sports. "It was to allow a six is already facing a minimum GBP Gould has challenged the ECB's The Hundred, Harrison replied: "Those week window to be created in the mid- 100 million hit this year because of claim that the first season of The numbers are not quite right, Chair. It's dle of the season and to offset the costs COVID-19. If no cricket is played, that SHundred would have been prof- income of GBP 51million against a bud- of doing so. figure would rise to GBP 380 million. itable. get of GBP 40 million." "I don't want to get into an argument When pressed in the committee In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Simple mathematics tells you those with the ECB directly but I think those hearing, Harrison was bullish about and the financial crisis that is facing numbers would have lead to an GBP costs should be included within the cal- the ECB's claim. the sport as a result, the ECB have 11 million profit which is quite a turn- culations. That would then allow you to "The figures stack up because The been quick to double down on the im- around from initial projections that set understand the absolute net position." Hundred gives us an opportunity not portance of launching The Hundred, out a GBP 15 million loss for the compe- ESPNCricinfo have also reported only to generate a positive P&L year quashing any talk of abandoning the tition's first season. that one county chief believes various on year, from year one - which is the project altogether. The numbers Harrison quoted do set-up costs since The Hundred was only short form tournament in the Rather than viewing the venture as not, however, contain the GBP 1.3mil- first mooted, such as the use of focus world to do that outside the IPL, by a significant risk during this uncertain lion payments that were due to the groups and consultants, have not been the way - but also generates a poten- time, as some within the game now do, counties and MCC as part of the agree- included in the projections either. The tial diversification of our revenues in Tom Harrison, the ECB's chief execu- ment which allowed The Hundred to source claimed those would amount to the future. tive, has repeatedly called the tourna- be set-up in the first place. Those total another GBP 15 million in costs. "At the moment... three quarters of ment a "profit centre" for the game and GBP 24.7 million which, if included in The interpretation of these items is our revenue comes from media rights, has claimed it will help haul cricket out the P&L position, would have given important. As the ECB conducts a root from one broadcaster. Anyone looking of the financial mire it finds itself in. rise to a substantial loss of more than and branch review of its entire budget at a business plan for the long-term During Tuesday's Department of GBP 12 million. in search of cost savings, decisions health of their sport, would be looking Culture, Media and Sport select com- However, rather than direct costs, about the future of a tournament con- at that number and thinking that is a mittee hearing, Harrison made a point Harrison labelled those annual pay- is part of the deal that was done with Gould does not agree. "I wouldn't say sidered to make a multi-million pound big risk. of correcting Julian Knight's num- ments as "dividends" during the com- the counties to give the ECB permis- the competition is profitable at this profit might be rather different than The Hundred helps us look at differ- bers. When the committee's chairman mittee hearing. "It is not part of the sion to create a new tournament. It is point because the money that was paid one considered to make a multi-million ent ways of diversifying our revenues asked about the expected profit and P&L of the tournament," he said. "That not linked to the P&L, it is a dividend." to the counties was there to do a job," pound loss particularly when the game in the future."