Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469 Established 1864 Published From OPINION 6 MONEY 8 SPORTS 12 HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOW REBUILD FROM S&P CUTS INDIA GDP GROWTH OLMPIC POSTPONEMENT MAY BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH GROUND ZERO BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN FORECAST FOR FY21 TO 5.2 PC BE ‘INEVITABLE’: JAPAN’S PM VIJAYAWADA

` *LATE CITY VOL. 2 ISSUE 163 HYDERABAD, TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2020; PAGES 12 3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

14 REELS PLUS JOINS MAHESH'S NEXT { Page 11 } www.dailypioneer.com CENTRE TO CONSIDER SPENDING SEX WORKERS IN ALIPURDUAR SAY TRUMP PONDERS EARLY END TO SINGAPORE AIRLINES CUTS 96% OF ON COVID-19 AS CSR ACTIVITY THEY WON'T WORK FOR 2 WEEKS COVID-19 ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN CAPACITY ON TRAVEL DEMAND HIT

pending by corporates to deal with the coronavirus outbreak will be ver 100 sex workers in West Bengal's Alipurduar district will not be resident Donald Trump hinted strongly on Monday that he is running ingapore Airlines on Monday said it will cut 96% of its capacity that Sconsidered as CSR activity under the companies law, the government Oworking for the next two weeks in the wake of the coronavirus Pout of patience with the economic shutdown caused by mass Shad been scheduled up to the end of April due to the tightening of said on Monday. In India, over 400 people have been infected by the outbreak, they said on Monday. People from several places, including quarantine measures against the coronavirus. "We cannot let the cure be border controls around the world to stem the coronavirus outbreak. The coronavirus and at least seven people have died, while many states have neighbouring districts, visit the red light area located in the central part of worse than the problem itself. at the end of the 15 day company along with its two subsidiaries -- SilkAir and Scoot -- will announced lockdown to curb spreading of the the district town. They said that the step period, we will make a decision as to which way we ground 185 aircraft out of a total 196, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said in a infection. Under the companies law, certain was taken to prevent the spread of the want to go!" trump tweeted overnight. The 15 day statement. The move comes "amid the greatest challenge that the SIA classes of profitable entities have to shell out at deadly virus. A local NGO that works for period he refers to was started last Monday, setting in Group has faced in its existence", it said. The company said it is unclear least 2 per cent of their three-year annual net profit the welfare of the sex workers said it motion a series of federal recommendations on social when it can begin to resu- towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) would provide financial assistance to distancing and other anti-coronavirus measures. It me normal services, given activities in a particular financial year. these women during the period. concludes a week from Tuesday. the prevailing uncertainty.

DRASTIC MEASURES Karimnagar city emerging People ignore lockdown, govt as Covid-19 epicentre in TS

PV KONDAL RAO Door-to-door checks Since this is a community n transmission, the scope of the imposes curfew across state KARIMNAGAR by medical and virus spreading its tentacles in With evidence of a state-2 health teams in the the region has widened and the No movement to be allowed from 7 pm to 6 am expect for medicare case, Karimnagar city is rapid- region have been preventive measures launched TRULY ly emerging as the epicentre of intensified, with by the authorities have been PNS n HYDERABAD Coronavirus in Telangana. intensified in Karimnagar SPEAKING Jameel, the man on whose about 100 teams Municipal Corporation limits. With people ignoring the lock- invitation the Indonesian deployed to screen Door-to-door checks by down, the Telangana state gov- preachers came to Karimnagar the people. medical and health teams in Modi leading ernment has announced cur- town, was on Monday found to the region have been intensifi- few from 7 pm to 6 am from be positive for the virus and ed, with about 100 teams dep- war on Covid-19 Monday. was ordered quarantine by the The information that loyed to screen the people. from the front Chief Secretary Somesh medical and health officials. Jameel was tested Initially, the Kumar told reporters on An institute run by Jameel positive for Karimnagar district Monday that in this time has about 50 students, who had Coronavirus authorities have frame, no movement of per- mingled with him after the for- has sent jitters expected to limit the 2 sons will be allowed for any eigners stayed in the town. The among the res- screening operations purpose expect accessing Indonesian team was quaran- idents of to just the 3-km emergency medical care. tined and isolated by the Karimnagar as radius, but conse- Addressing a press conference authorities after being identi- his is a case of quent to the identifica- here, Somesh Kumar said that fied as the overseas visitors last secondary trans- tion of fresh local trans- no shop or establishment, week. Karimnagar was cor- mission. Jameel is quite mission case, they have except hospitals and pharma- doned and an area of 3-km well-known and usually meets expanded screening across the cies will be allowed to operate radius from the bus station was about 50 to 100 people on a town and surrounding areas. after 6:30 pm. He asked people locked down. regular basis. 2 to purchase all essential com- A large number of vehicles seen in Hyderabad on Monday, despite a lockdown being in place. modities in the daytime and confine themselves to their people, the police have set up be allowed on a two-wheeler wheeler," said DGP Mahender homes by 7 pm. check posts across the state. and not more than two people Reddy. Son skips To restrict movement of "Not more than one person will will be allowed in a four- 2 quarantine, Case against DSP booked In worst-ever market crash, n PNS KOTHAGUDEM Quarantine of a 4 for violating Acting tough against the for- large number of Sensex plunges 4,000 points eign returned people roaming people worries quarantine free, the police on Monday Yediyurappa PNS n DANTALAPALLI registered a case against the Investors in sell-off mode as recession fears mount DSP here for violating the Ep- The police on Monday regis- idemic Diseases Act of 1897. PNS n MUMBAI Global stocks too roiled tered cases against four persons A traffic jam is witnessed in Hyderabad on Monday as citizens ignore lockdown The DSP had taken his Lo- after nations across the world who violated the mandatory ordered by the state government to curb spread of the dreaded Coronavirus. ndon-returned son home 4 The Indian stock market suf- announced lockdowns in an 14-day home quarantine, using his office vehicle, fered its worst-ever single-day effort to mitigate the spread of thereby increasing the risk of instead of sending him to crash on Monday, with the be- Covid-19 pandemic, spiking others contracting the quarantine. nchmark indices plunging as fears of a mammoth global Coronavirus. Recently, two A day after Janata The DSP and his family much as 13.15 per cent, as recession. couples from Qatar visited the members were subsequently panicked investors remained in On the Sensex chart, Axis residence of their respective sent to Warangal Governm- sell-off mode amid lockdowns Bank was the top loser, tank- mothers-in-law in Datla village curfew, traffic jams ent Hospital for testing for in several states in the country ing over 28 per cent, followed in Dantalapalli mandal of Coronavirus. The DSP's son due to mounting Coronavirus by Bajaj Finance, IndusInd Mahbubabad district. Officials PNS n HYDERABAD ing on city roads as if the threat tested positive and the news cases. In the very first hour of Bank, ICICI Bank, Maruti and have sensitised the couple and of Coronavirus never existed. created a sensation among The BSE benchmark Sensex trade on Monday, trading on L&T. their in-laws on the potential Paying no heed to the govern- People opted to travel in pri- the police circles. plummeted 3,935 points or the BSE and the NSE had to be All sectoral indices ended threat of the virus and advised ment's advice to stay indoors, vate vehicles, after the Centre Moreover, the DSP's fam- 13.15 per cent to close at halted after the benchmark significantly lower, with BSE them to stay indoors under a sizeable number of people cancelled train services and the ily recently attended a house- 25,981.24; while the NSE indices Sensex and Nifty hit bankex, finance, capital goods, home quarantine. Paying no were seen going about on the state, bus services, thereby warming ceremony at barometer Nifty cracked the 10 per cent lower circuit- basic materials, industrials and heed to the advice of officials, roads on Monday morning. throwing caution sounded by Raghavapuram in 1,135.20 points or 12.98 per breaker. auto indices plunging up to the couples left the place to visit Private vehicles and auto-rick- government to the winds. Chintalapudi mandal of West cent to settle at 7,610.25. As trading resumed after a 16.82 per cent. other areas. shaws were seen freely roam- Godavari district. On the currency front, the 45-minute freeze, losses Broader midcap and small- 2 Indian Rupee plunged below widened on bourses due to cap indices tanked over 12 per the 76-level (intra-day) for unabated sell-offs across sec- cent each. Asian markets the first time. tors. 2 Docs told to vacate houses, denied transport sink as pandemic NAVEENA GHANATE Most of the doctors any notice. Most of the doctors deaths soar n Virus helpline 104 inaccessible HYDERABAD are now on the are now stranded on the roads with their luggage, with PNS n HYDERABAD are on standby, one has to pull fever checks, kept on passing With scant regard to societal roads, with nowhere to go. Residents and all strings possible to even the buck to one another. norms and even Chief Minister nowhere to go. house-surgeons are the most 8 The wait time for an executive report a suspect. After calling some more K Chandrasekhar Rao's state- affected." to speak to a caller when 104 When this correspondent GHMC officials and pleading ment 'We need to protect our Residents and According to the doctor, TODAY is dialled seems like forever. tried calling 104 twice to report for at least regular temperature doctors', society is mistreating house-surgeons are even campus hostels are conv- With the increasing number of a suspect, the wait time kept on check, an official at last them. the most affected erted into isolation wards on ALMANAC Corona suspects, the number increasing by the minute. promised to deploy a team. But A doctor working in MGM the orders of the collector. Month & Paksham: of calls to state helpline num- When contacted, the Greater all that happened was that a Hospital, Warangal on Monday He asked, "What were the ber has increased. Municipal Corporation of telephone call came and the alleged: "Many doctors in owners who claim that the more susceptible to the virus. claps and rings yesterday Phalguna & Krishna Paksha In spite of tall claims that Hyderabad teams, who are suspect's travel history sought. Warangal were asked to vacate healthcare professions staying One owner said that we were (Sunday) for?" Panchangam: 5,000-plus surveillance teams claiming to do door-to-door their rented homes by their in their homes will make them 'dirty'. This was done without Tithi: Amavasya: 02:57 pm 2 2 Nakshatram: Uttara Bhadrapada: 04:19 am (Next Day) Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start People fear costlier vegetables more than the virus any important work) Global death toll Rahukalam: 03:23 pm – 04:53 pm Yamagandam: 09:21 am – 10:51 am Citizens aghast at the dramatic increase in prices overnight, say government negligent Varjyam: 12:08 pm – 01:56 pm crosses 15k mark Gulika: 12:22 pm - 01:52 pm n and vegetables. Crowds were ing department expressing Good Time: PNS HYDERABAD (to start any important PNS n PARIS seen at super bazaars and helplessness, quarrels have work) In the wake of the successful rythu bazaars. taken place between people Amritakalam: 10:55 pm – 12:43 am The number of deaths around Janata Curfew and following However, consumers were and the rythu bazaar offi- Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:58 am – 12:46 pm the world from the novel coro- imposition of lockdown on the in for a major shock after cials. Vegetables and other navirus cases stood at 15,189, state, people came out of their traders started selling essen- commodities were being sold HYDERABAD according to a tally compiled houses on Monday only to tial commodities at exorbitant at exorbitant prices at WEATHER by AFP on Monday from offi- find prices of vegetables have rates. People blame govern- Guddimalkapur and cial sources. skyrocketed. ment officials for doing pre- Mehdipatnam agriculture Forecast: Partly cloudy More than 341,300 declared lected by AFP offices from More than the Coronavirus, cious little, contrary to the markets. Temp: 34/22 cases have been registered in national authorities and infor- citizens appear to be dreading promises, to rein in prices. Tomato was being sold at Rs Humidity: 30% 174 countries and territories mation from the World Health the uncontrolled hike in the They found that vegetables are 100 a kg as against Rs 8 earli- Sunrise: 06.16 since the epidemic first Organization (WHO), likely prices of vegetables. being sold at twice the price, er. Similarly, a kg of brinjal is Sunset: 06.27 emerged in China in reflect only a fraction of the People turned out in large compared to the 'normal' being sold at Rs 80 as against Current Weather Conditions December. actual number of infections. numbers onto the streets on days. the previous price of Rs 15. Updated March 23, 2020 5:00 PM The tallies, using data col- Monday to buy provisions Consumers haggle with traders after thronging to a makeshift market in Hyderabad With officials of the market- 2 on Monday to buy vegetables. 2 HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | MARCH 24, 2020 hyderabad 02

n times of crisis, leadership is exposed. Prime Minister INarendra Modi set an example how a leader should Modi leading war on Corona from the front conduct himself to bring a nation out of a crisis .at a time their response. 23 exemplifies the Last week, the govern- why he has maintained close Coronavirus is looming over The mouths of those who The mouths of those who criticised responsibility he ment prohibited export rapport with the people and India. In fact, the Coronavirus criticised the PM’s call to clap feels for the of ventilators. A firm advised them to observe social has affected over 2 lakh people hands remained shut upon the PM’s call to clap hands remained country. TRULY based in Mysuru distance and to confine them- across 159 nations and has thus gauging the response. This is shut upon gauging the response. This The entire SPEAKING speeded up produc- selves to their houses. far taken a toll of over 9,000. indication of credibility Modi is indication of credibility Modi enjoys administrative tion of ventilators with Unlike the World Wars, the In response to a call given by enjoys among the people. machinery and other organisations. virus has affected almost all the PM, the people of the In fact, Modi took system- among the people. CMs, including Prominent Pharma compa- countries across the globe. country indicated how close atic steps to tackle the virus. Arvind Kejriwal and nies have been included in the In the absence of a vaccine, they consider him. The entire Everyone initially assumed on helping Indians stranded in followed his example. He K Chandrasekhar Rao, came working group against Covid- the panacea is to observe nation observed Janata Curfew. that the virus would be other countries. convened a meeting of CMs forward to work shoulder to 19. Efforts are on to allow pri- social distance, the PM felt. The people expressed their restricted to China. Modi got Indians stranded and issued necessary guide- shoulder with the PM to face vate laboratories to diagnose He asked people not to be moral support to the medical There was no expectation in China airlifted and sent lines, held review meetings the virus threat. the virus. The PM is encour- complacent that the Covid-10 professionals treating the virus that the virus would spread them to isolated wards. He with officials on numerous AP Chief Minister YS aging pharma industry to would not do them harm by clapping their hands, across the globe. The issue was took measures on a war-foot- occasions. He asked the BJP Y SATYA KUMAR Jaganmohan Reddy, who develop a vaccine. and to be prepared to face sounding bells, banging metal not a part of the agenda for ing to bring back Indians MPs to hold awareness meet- BJP National Secretary placed local body elections Pharma Industries confed- with perseverance and plates, blowing conches and so Budget session of Parliament. stranded in other states on Air ings in their constituencies to first over virus, realised the sit- eration has exuded confi- patience. on. Right from the President Nobody could predict the India flights from March 10 help the people. uation and was forced to take dence of developing a vaccine His words echo the feelings of India, Governors, Union threat even in the first 10 days onwards. The WHO also appreciated Narendra Modi, went on remedial measures. for Coronavirus believing in of over 130 crore people of the Ministers, Chief Ministers and of the second session. He took the initiative and the PM’s measures to control record stating that Modi treat- Almost all states imposed the leadership of PM. country. The whole world people’s representatives to the The PM became alert after addressed leaders of SAARC the virus. The WHO also ed his daughter as if she was his lockdown. International air- All measures to overcome appreciates the confident man on the street, everyone getting information from nations through video confer- appreciated the measures own and took steps to bring ports were shut with effect scarcity of ventilators, sanitis- leader. responded to the PM’s call. other nations in the first week ence on March 15 and being initiated by the ICMR. her to India on March 14. from midnight of March 22. ers, medicines and other med- Leaders of many countries Rising above personal dif- of March. He cancelled the explained the measures to be In fact, almost all countries This stands as testimony on Prior to that, going overseas ical supplies are being initiat- emulate Modi. He is always ferences, people of all hues, big Holi Milan programme pro- taken to rein in the virus. He have appreciating India’s how fast the government of had been prohibited. In fact, ed. The PM knows well that one step ahead in his thought and small, observed the cur- posed on March 10. He went suggested to the Saudi Arabia efforts. India responds to meet people remedial measures to check it would be difficult to rein in process. If we observe his few in toto. The spirit of on cancelling all his official to address G-20 nations too in Father of a stranded woman in trouble. The way Modi spread of Coronavirus in jails the virus without the cooper- suggestions we will be able to nationalism was reflected in appointments. He focussed the same fashion. Saudi Arabia in Italy Sujay Kadam, a critic of responded from March 10 to have been implemented. ation of the people. This is overcome Coronavirus. Global death toll crosses ‘Enforce lockdown strictly’ CORONA VIRUS FEAR n 15k mark PNS HYDERABAD Chief Secretary Somesh Continued from Page 1 Kumar on Monday directed the districts Collectors to GRIPS URBAN DWELLERS Many countries are now enforce lockdown strictly in only testing cases that require the districts and to follow the n hospitalisation. instructions mentioned in GOs People want to shift to their native villages till the situation eases Italy, which recorded its 45 & 46 with a true spirit to first coronavirus death in control the spread of K VENKATESHWARLU They are of an February, now has more fatal- Coronavirus in the State. n HYDERABAD ities than China with 5,476, Chief Secretary held a video opinion that the as well as having 59,138 conference with district With Coronavirus spreading impact of virus is declared infections with 7,024 Collectors on Covid- 19 in the like wildfire, people residing in much lesser in recoveries. State. Chief Secretary asked the urban areas are now looking at China -- excluding Hong district collectors to implement The Collectors should ensure that essential commodities rural areas. They are of an rural areas as Kong and Macau -- has to the Government orders and to like milk, vegetables, groceries and medicines are opinion that the impact of compared to urban date declared 81,093 cases, see that not more than one available during the lockdown period. Prices should be virus is much lesser in rural areas-cities and including 3,270 deaths, with person shall be allowed to areas as compared to urban 72,703 people recovered. It move on a two-wheeler and monitored regularly. Allow the movement of essential areas-cities and towns. towns reported 39 new cases and not more than two persons commodities at the check post Chavva Venkat Reddy from nine new fatalities since shall be allowed on a four —SOMESH KUMAR, Chief Secretary Habsiguda and a native of think of shifting to their native Sunday. wheeler. Tirmalgiri (Sagar) said that villages for some time. V The third worst hit coun- Chief Secretary instructed staying in cosmopolitan city Narsimha Reddy from try is Spain with 2,182 fatal- the Collectors no movement of od. Prices should be monitored centers with required facilities. like Hyderabad in these cir- village if things deteriorate am afraid as to how things Madannapet and a native of ities and 33,089 cases, fol- any persons shall be permitted regularly. Allow the movement Shanti Kumari, Special cumstances is nothing but further," he said. would change in near future if Yellapur village near Narsapur lowed by Iran with 1,812 for any purpose other than of essential commodities at the Chief Secretary, Principal risking their lives. "I am afraid The restrictions imposed by the situation doesn't improve. in Medak said that he got fatalities and 23,049 cases, accessing emergency medical check post," he said. Secretary Vikas Raj, of the present conditions in the government are also mak- In just one day, prices of veg- scared when he received a France with 674 deaths and care during the period from Chief Secretary informed Secretaries Rahul Bojja, Hyderabad. Don't know who ing people to undergo fear psy- etables touched the roof. I message through WhatsApp 16,018 cases, and the United 7.00 PM every evening to 6.00 that a Control Room with 2 Janardhan Reddy, Rizvi, came in contact with the virus chosis. Vegetables prices don't think situation will turn stating that the police and States with 471 deaths and AM on the following day. Senior IAS officers -- Rahul Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Sanjay and how it is spreading. The touched the roof in a single day. this bad in rural areas even if medical staff had shifted an 35,224 cases. "The Collectors should Bojja, and Anil Kumar was Jaju, IAS, Ronald Ross, Sarfaraz foreign returnees are not P Varudhini from Chilkalguda something happens," she said. entire family to a hospital in Since 1900 GMT Sunday, ensure that essential commodi- established at Secretariat to Ahmed, Director, Prohibition revealing their condition vol- and a native of Choppadandi Also, the spread of fake their area. However, later he the Czech Republic, Nigeria ties like milk, vegetables, gro- guide the officials from time to and Excise, Rajat Kumar Saini, untarily and it is creating trou- (Karimnagar) said, "I pur- news is another factor which is came to know that it was fake and Montenegro announced ceries and medicines are avail- time. Collectors asked the CS to CCLA Director and others bles to others. I may go to my chased coriander for Rs 20. I making people in urban areas news. their first deaths. able during the lockdown peri- set up at least two quarantine attended the meetng. In worst-ever market crash... Docs told to vacate... Virus helpline 104 inaccessible People fear costlier Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1 A doctor posted in the iso- Continued from Page 1 Sharath Chandra, a netizen, bers were engaged for at least lation ward in Hyderabad, on said, "I called 104 several two hours. I finally informed "With the spread of Covid-19 This is not just in Warangal, condition of anonymity, said, After initial paranoia around times, but was very difficult to the Neredmet PS." continuing unabated and the people are apprehensive about "I wanted to borrow a vehicle reporting themselves, sus- connect as the network was Khalid Khan, another citi- vegetables more... fears of global recession even lending their two-wheel- but nobody was willing to lend pects finally headed to hospi- restricted. When we dial 100 zen, tweeted: "Please increase Continued from Page 1 Adilabad, but also prevalent in increasing, the Indian mar- ers to doctors to commute. it to me knowing that I was tal. However, that wasn't the or 108, they disconnect the number of operators for 104 cities in Andhra Pradesh like kets crashed. Not all doctors and health attending to Covid-19 end of their troubles. An IAS call stating that "We can't helpline. Even after trying more Further, a kg of green chillies Vijayawada and The markets closed workers own vehicles. With patients. When we asked our officer said, "You have to wait help". Another netizen, than five times and waiting for has been priced at Rs 90 as Visakhapatnam, where people much lower in percentage the lockdown announced, sev- higher authorities, they till 104 answers your call, we Srikanth Nandi said, "We six minutes, there is no against Rs 25 earlier. Carrot, made a beeline to rythu terms compared to the eral health professionals are expressed helplessness. What cannot help you as the records noticed that foreign return response. It defeats the purpose capsicum and bittergourd were bazaars, super markets, petrol Asian and European mar- facing issues commuting. is the point if you can't provide of patients will be tampered." suspects are not maintaining of being an urgent / emergency being sold at Rs 80 per kg, stations and fruit markets. kets, which indicated Another doctor said that basic amenities like trans- Several netizens pointed quarantine and roaming number. Please take appropri- against the earlier prices that Traders have jacked up increased uncertainty there was no hostel for interns port?" Etela assured that trans- out that even 104 did not about in the colony. I was ate action." Etela said, "We are ranged between Rs 25 and Rs prices of vegetables and fruits regarding the spread of the and many PGs and doctors port facilities will be provided respond when they wanted to unable to inform about this getting more calls and we have 30. At some places, green chilli citing drop in arrivals from virus in India after the gov- staying outside were facing from Class-4 employees to report a person with a travel situation on toll-free 104 and 40 lines for 104 helpline, we will was being traded at Rs 120 a kg. other districts and ernment indicated that the similar situations. doctors working in hospitals. history. 24651119 as both the num- add 20-30 more". Violating lockdown rules at states.Shopping malls have country was in a crucial Nalgonda, people thronged the been allowing customers inside phase in its fight against the vegetable market. People have only after testing the people. virus, Vinod Nair, Head of been questioning the stated aim Employees of malls have been Research at Geojit Financial A day after Janata curfew, traffic jams of reining in Coronavirus if this ensuring that the customers Services, said. Karimnagar city emerging... situation continued. observe social distance in their Further measures and Continued from Page 1 Violating the government At some places, liquor shops Continued from Page 1 response to lockdown and Visitors to the market found facilities. Labourers were seen lockdowns are expected after and doctor's advice of not did brisk business violating venturing out onto the the prices of vegetables out of waiting for work at labour manufacturing companies Private vehicles were seen move in groups, people have government orders. The situ- Meanwhile, the social roads were seen as a serious reach of the common man. In addas at Nampally and Koti in indicated that they would crammed with people, some- thrown caution to the winds. ation is more or less the same media is creating tense issue by health profession- Nizamabad, the situation is Hyderabad. On Saturday, retail shut down their facilities, times one car carrying five to Campaigns on social distance across the country leading to moments across the state als.They say such negli- more or less the same. Traders traders flocked to the wholesale which would have an overall six passengers. At some places, have fallen on deaf ears. the state and Central govern- with people sharing infor- gence may turn out to be have begun exploiting the provisions market at Malakpet impact on business activity polite took steps to regulate Groups of people were seen in ments issuing serious warning mation without checking lethal in the long run once needs of the consumers, who and made heavy purchases in and market confidence, he them, but failed to fully con- front of shopping malls and to people asking them to fol- their veracity. the secondary contact cases have been demanding the gov- anticipation of the prices of added. trol the situation. departmental stores. low the rules. Also, the lacklustre see an increase. ernment take steps to keep the essential commodities rising. prices under check. Some of the traders say that The situation is not just lim- they predict heavy rise in prices ited to cities of Telangana like of essential commodities and Hyderabad, Warangal, hence have built maintaining Southern Telangana districts taking no chances Khammam, Nirmal and stocks.

AVINASH DEEPAK PULI the return of some NRIs dur- n MAHABUBNAGAR ing the past one month, are The officials in Nalgonda, closely monitored by the med- Although the southern Mahbubnagar, Medak are leaving ical and Health officials. Telangana districts didn't The precautionary measures report even a single positive no stone unturned and are making initiated in the districts have case of Corona, the officials are every effort to tackle the spread of been intense and the district leaving no stone unturned and the Coronavirus administrations have been are making every effort to proactive in undertaking tackle the spread of the virus. awareness programmes. The Medical and Health gathering the details pertain- respective areas are collecting Meanwhile, the Siricilla Department officials in ing to the foreign returnees the details pertaining to the Collector has come out open- Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, over the last one month and foreign returnees. Since the ly and warned people against Medak and Khammam feel they are reportedly collecting foreign returnees are the only violating lockdown. A similar that the non-occurrence of the data with the help of the contact persons at the stage sort of action was undertaken cases in this part may not be Police and Law Enforcement one of Corona, the people in by Sangareddy collector and in seen as relief for them. Department. Medak region are providing the south Telangana region, Not even a single case per- In Medak too, a similar sort required information pertain- the Collectors of taining to quarantining of peo- Mahbubnagar. The doctors uation is under control. of response was evident so far ing to their relatives. Also, the Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda also ple visiting from overseas was belonging to these districts Especially in Mahbubnagar and the Police Department and bordering villages of took part in similar sort of reported from Medak and heave a sigh of relief as the sit- district, the authorities are the Gram Panchayaths of Nizamabad, which witnessed action.

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RIME IT company Arvind: GHMC's ORNER violates curfew, C Private hospitals to help officials send Man held for Rs 5 meal canteens selling masks at employees out exorbitant prices corona patient overflow PNS n DUNDIGAL to remain open he West Zone Team of the Violating the Janata Curfew, PNS n HYDERABAD TCommissioner's Task Force PNS n HYDERABAD emergency. If people keep a software unit in caught a person who was coming out, neither the private Bahadurpalli functioned on Principal Secretary Arvind selling disposable face masks at Private hospitals in Telangana hospitals nor the government Minister asks public to Sunday leading to govern- Kumar said that the Rs 5 a higher rate and seized 10,000 are gearing up to handle the can do anything. If we are in ment official's intervention meal canteens will remain face masks from him. The Covid-19 pandemic. They are Italy like situation, no govern- and sending the employees operational during lockdown arrested person has been preparing 1,000beds and 200- ment can be of help. It is in our mantain social distance away. period. Hyderabad MP identified as 46-year-old Ganesh 300beds particularly for ter- hands, keep washing your On a tip off, Dundigal AsaduddinOwaisi requested Ohatker, a resident of Imampura tiary care. DrBhaskarRao, hands". HYDERABAD: Minister Even though Municipal Commissioner the secretary to continue the of Jiyaguda. Ganesh Ohatker, a DrGurava Reddy and other Eatala said that Corporate EatalaRajender said that to make financially we are Suresh visited the IT firm scheme. Owaisi posted a native of Hyderabad, studied doctors of private hospitals hospitals are in touch with gov- use of the health services losing, we want to office and enquired with tweet saying, "Sir Arvind upto Class IX and after met Minister EatalaRajender ernment since last 20 days. effectively out patients have been them. The company man- Kumar please continue the ?5 completion of his studies he on Saturday. "After government facilities told not to come to hospital. protect our people. I don't agement is reported to have meal scheme at all the cen- started doing the business of DrBhaskarRao of KIMS are filled we will make use of Even the elective and non- understand what crisis is told the official that 213 tres of twin cities even dur- manufacturing and selling of hospital said that the Minister the facilities available with the essential operations have been forcing people to come out employees of the company ing the lockdown,the poor cup nose masks. Ganesh along instructed on how to handle private facilities". A committee postponed. The Minister said, of their homes are attending to the emer- are hit by economic down- with his brother has been doing Covid-19 and that they have will be set up under the direc- "Will dischargecoronavirus gency work. turn also." business of manufacturing and been in touch with them from tion of Kaloji University VC positive patients in a few days —EATALA RAJENDER, Minister The municipal commis- Responding to this request cities during this period". selling of cup nose masks since last two weeks. He said, "The Karunakar Reddy for coor- after they are cured. If sioner asked the Information Arvind said, "Spoke with Owaisi thanked Arvind twenty years. They used to people are not cases less here because the dination with private experience, preventive measures technology unit to stop its GHMC Commissioner and Kumar and said that the time- manufacture the cup nose mask serious, even government has taken right medical colleges. The are imperative. Even though activities in the wake of the ensuring that ?5 meal scheme ly decision will help the poor for Rs 1.15ps and used to doctors and decisions in right time. We are RDO level officer will be financially we are losing, we want Janata Curfew and sent the under Annapurna shall con- people to have a decent supply the same for Rs 1.80ps government screening people who are com- the nodal officer for each to protect our people. I don't employees out. tinue at all centres in the twin meal". to Rs2. About seven months cannot protect ing to hospitals. We are ready hospital. The hospitals understand what crisis is forcing ago, he went to Bachupally and people". He to face anything along with run by the colleges will people to come out of their found pieces of disposable face asked people to government, private colleges be provided with PPE homes". He questioned, "Is your masks (type 2ply: Ear loop/tie) confine to and private hospitals". kits, sanitizers and life important or coming outside (Blue colour) which are quality DrGurava Reddy of equipments. Eatala homes. "After KNOW WHAT'S OPEN is important?" He said that less in white colour plastic bags Italy's Sunshine hospital said, "People said that patients in isolation are asking and are in incomplete shape. are afraid that there is no vac- 15,000 Immediately he took the same chicken, mutton and all. "People cine, but vaccine is in our beds are should understand this is not 5- and kept it in his residence. hands. If we stay at home, we being AND WHAT'S SHUT! star hospital. I have personally After the virus outbreak, the can curb the virus. Social dis- made demand increasedface masks. visited government facilities, they tancing is most important, do avail- are doing well", he said. Ganesh then decided to sell the not come outunless there isan able. disposable face masks at higher The list of establishments exempted from List of establishments rates to earn easy money. He prepared the disposable face the lockdown declared by Telangana that shall remain masks in complete shape in his residence and sold some masks Township government up to March 31 closed include for Rs 20 each. He knows the n n Government has issued a residents Banks/ ATMs. Petrol pumps, LPG n All Educational notification that not to sell the n gas, oil agencies, their mask more than Rs.8 per piece Production and institutes and complain godowns and their but he is selling the disposable manufacturing units education department face mask/pollution mask for related transport against trio which require a activities including Rs.20 per piece, said the Police. operations. Ganesh was nabbed by the continuous process valuation PNS n HYDERABAD n West Zone Task Force team on such as All security services n Anganwadi centres Sunday when he was ready to Pharmaceuticals, Food- including those sell the masks. The Residents of Malaysian n township in KPHB lodged a related units, dairy units, provided by private All shops, complaint with the feed and fodder units. agencies. commercial Police seize Cyberabad police against n establishments and vehicles for three persons who returned Print and electronic n Private establishments breaching rules from the US and were stay- offices ing in their complex. media. that support the n n the first day of lockdown, n provisioning of the Factories, In the complaint to the IT and ITeS, including the Hyderabad City Police Commissioner of Police, the essential services or the workshops and O telcom, postal and seized 948 autos while residents shared their plight efforts for containment godowns enforcing the strict policy of against three stubborn internet Services. of Covid-19. n not letting anyone out on youngsters, who returned n All Public transport Monday. Officials also said that from the US, and decided to E-commerce n Department/Offices of services including the enforcement of the Cops set up barricades to quarantine themselves in (delivery) of essential lockdown would be very strict State/central TSRTC buses, their townships despite being goods including food, during the night hours with residents of other areas. The government which SETWIN, Hyderabad police taking stringent action pharmaceutical and president of the township include: District Metro, taxis, Auto- against violators. The Police curb vehicular movement resident welfare association medical equipment. said that no movement would said that youngsters' decision Collectorate/ Divisional rickshaws etc. be allowed on Hyderabad roads n n PNS HYDERABAD was putting at risk a majori- Sale of food item, offices/ Mandal Offices, n All state borders at all. Police said that every ty of the citizens in the com- groceries, milk, bread, Police, Health, Urban/ vehicle of violators would be Commuters who decided to Entrepreneur offers 20,000 plex who were senior citizens. shall be sealed other seized, including bikes and cars ignore the lock down instruc- The three persons arrived fruits, vegetables, eggs, Rural local bodies, Fire, than for the and requested the public to tions of the government and masks to Cyberabad police at the township on the 19th meat and their Taxation, Excise, movement of remain indoors from 6:30 pm venture out with their day to of March at 10:30 PM. The transportation and Commercial Tax, to 6:00 am. The Rachakonda n essential and day activities on Monday were PNS HYDERABAD 20,000 surgical masks'. residents then reported the warehousing activities. Transport, Stamps, Police seized 34 two wheelers, met with road blocks on busy "I'm Dr Raghavendra matter to the local police. The perishable 66 three wheelers and 14 four roads in the city as the police After the Cyberabad Police Pradeep..I'm a Urologist & Police came and learnt that n Take-away/ home registration, electricity, commodities and wheelers. A total of 21 e-petty began setting up barricades at posted a video of them clap- Director, Apricot Labs the trio had returned from water supply, cases were booked and 24 MV delivery at restaurants. services. different parts of the city. ping for doctors and nurses, Private Limited, which is the USA, but not one had Agriculture, Horticulture, act cases were registered. The The barricades were set up noticing that they did not into pharma, lasers and now mentioned Malaysian town- n n Medchal Police registered three in the morning on Monday, have masks, a urologist and masks..I will be very happy ship. The RWA claimed that Hospitals, pharmacies Animal Husbandry, Operations of all cases against a real estate the first day of the lock down, entrepreneur has come for- to give 20000 surgical masks the identification cards of and optical stores, fisheries, agricultural interstate bus and shop owner, an electricals shop which has been announced till ward offering 20,000 surgical to u..sawur video today the US-returnees like Aadhar owner and an auto driver for pharmaceuticals Marketing, Civil supplies transport services March 31 for the time being. masks for them. where u r clapping for us cards, Passports did not have manufacturing and their violating government orders. Though many tried to per- Replying to a video post- without wearing any protec- the address of Malaysian and Regulatory including those by suade the police personnel to ed by the Cyberabad Police tive gear.." said the entrepre- Township, and requested the transportation. departments the private operators. Fraudster held let them past the barricades, in which police personnel neur in the reply to the commissioner to take action. for Snapdeal citing various reasons, most of including the Commissioner police's tweet. the requests were turned VC Sajjanar clapping and The police, thanking the lottery scams down. Emergency services like showing gratitude towards doctor for his gesture. he Cyber Crimes Police of the media were however let doctors, nurses, emergency However, taking note of THyderabad nabbed a through, though after checking staff and so on, Dr the large crowd that had ‘Use digital services for banking facilities' fraudster who cheated innocent credentials. Raghavendra Pradeep, urol- gathered there, one netizen people in pretext of lottery from The stopping of vehicles, ogist and director of Apricot questioned how police were PNS n HYDERABAD the branches as most of the ser- Snapdeal. The arrested person however, also triggered traffic Labs Private Limited said he allowed to gather in large In view of the vices are available on these has been identified as 30-year- snarls, quite ironic during a would be 'very happy to give numbers. In view of coronavirus out- lockdown, platforms. old Suresh Kumar, a resident of lockdown, on the SP Road, break, essential and basic bank- In view of the lockdown Khagaria in Bihar. Officials from near the Lifestyle ing services are being provid- customers were announced by state govern- received a complaint from a Building towards HPS. The the police were seen allowing four-wheeler, and that too, ed with minimum number of asked to ment, he has requested their man in which he stated that he barricades, which came up some, while some were told only for essential/emergency staff at the branches, said OP cooperate and customers to cooperate and to purchased a watch on Snapdeal. near Greenlands, near the about the importance of the reasons. However, netizens Mishra, Chief General minimize the visit to branch- After receiving that, he got a NIMS gate, near the CTO fly- lock down to combat the took to twitter condemning the Manager of SBI Hyderabad minimize the es for their safety and to pre- message from Snapdeal that he over and at several other spots spread of the coronavirus. move as it caused unprecedent- Circle, Telangana. He has visit to banks vent the spread of this virus. He won a bumper draw of Tata across the city, have a sizable As per the lock down ed traffic jams further hinder- appealed to all the customers also requested all the cus- Stroma vehicle or its worth of number of policemen manag- instructions, no vehicles at all ing the public and emergency to minimise their visit to the tomers and staff to maintain Rs 12,60,000. A team of the ing things, apart from senior will be allowed on the roads services alike. Police said that branches. ing of cheques and govt trans- customers to use the digital personal hygiene and avoid Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police officers also being posted at after 7 pm till 6 am. Even dur- they would continue with the As per the guidelines, bank actions in its branches from and alternate channels like group meetings in the branch- apprehended the accused at some of the important points. ing the day, there will be only barricading to make sure that will deliver the basic services March 23, 2020 onwards till Internet Banking, YONO and es to ensure social distancing Sanhouli of Khagaria District in For those going out to buy one person allowed on a two- commuters are off the road only viz cash deposits, cash further notification. ATM services to minimise the and help in containing the Bihar. medicines or essential goods, wheeler, and two persons in a com. withdrawal, remittances, clear- Mishra has also advised the need for the customers to visit coronathreat. Firms ask techies to take desktops home SOCIAL DISTANCING PNS n HYDERABAD Some of them are giving Shops told to paint footmarks desktops late and this is caus- Private firms in Hyderabad Somesh Kumar ing issue as the lockdown has PNS n HYDERABAD are allowing people to take said IT firms will come into forc. A techie desktop computers home. Naveen Reddy said, "Few com- The state government on Inclusion of IT and ITES ser- be counted panies are asking to come to Monday directed the shops vices under emergency services under essential office and carry assigned desk- and establishments in the state has come under severe criti- services and IT tops to home as the distribu- to paint footmarks on the cism by people, even though tion is not yet complete. How floor to keep the customers businesses are hailing it as Ministry will can we go when the roads are waiting in line at a distance proactive approach by the gov- ensure that completely blocked by the from one another. According ernment. Several companies police. When shutdown is to a government order issued who understood the crisis are employees work announced why exempt 7lakh in continuation with the guide- allowing people to take desk- from home IT employees?" lines for restrict spread of tops home. Meanwhile, chief secretary Covid-19, the owners were S Ankita working in UK Somesh Kumar said IT firms warned of stringent action if based company said, "With now. Some IT companies are not giving work from home for employee said, "Government will be counted under essential they fail to take the measures public transport shut, commut- still functioning and seems people who work on desktops. order is being displayed and services and said the IT advised by the government. marks on the floor at a distance the shop or even outside the ing itself is difficult. Moreover like they don't understand the Even though majority of IT also being given to cab drivers. Ministry will look into ensur- The government order of four feet to indicate loca- shop on foot paths in case of office is a place with large gath- intensity of situation". companies were asked to work In fact they asked us to down- ing that most employees work issued by Special Chief tions where customers shall be constraint of space. ering. So we were given our But few project teams work- from home, those working in load the GO copy in our smart from home. "Only essential Secretary A SanthiKumari, required to queue at the The managements will have desktops computers to home.I ing in topcompany's like controlled environment have to phone and travel so that we are staff if required can be made to says that all shops and estab- counter. The marks can be ensure that the customers am glad that they are allowing Infosys, Cognizant, TCS are reach the office to work. An IT not stopped by anyone". attend office," he stated. lishments shall paint foot- made inside the premises of maintain distance. HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | MARCH 24, 2020 nation 04

CORONAVIRUS: SHORT READS Airlines to monitor health Delhi govt to give convicts special parole to decongest jails of crew who went abroad PNS n NEW DELHI Lok Sabha passes PNS n NEW DELHI The AAP government informed Finance Bill without "The crew has to the Delhi High Court on Amid coronavirus pandemic, fill the self- Monday that it has decided to discussion Union health ministry on declaration forms, decongest prisons to check the NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha passed Monday told the civil aviation spread of coronavirus by provid- the Finance Bill 2020 without ministry that airlines have to similar to the ing convicts the options of spe- discussion on Monday. The take the responsibility of mon- passengers. The cial parole and furlough. Union government said it was itoring the health of crew crew needs to Parole and furlough mean a an "extraordinary situation", a members, who flew abroad temporary release from jail of a reference to the coronavirus on duty, during their stay in present the self- prisoner. While the duration of pandemic, as Finance Minister India. declaration forms parole is not deducted from Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the In a letter to Civil aviation to the health period of sentence, the time bill for passage. The House ministry, the health ministry spent on furlough is as it is a negated amendments moved noted: "If a laboratory positive authorities and reward given for good conduct. by Opposition members. case of COVID-19 is found in clear the health The Delhi government told a Parliament is likely to be a flight, the entire crew has to screening at the bench of Justices Hima Kohli adjourned sine die on Monday. be de-rostered for minimum and Subramonium Prasad that month, subject to conditions, after he or she has served min- 14 days. The crew needs to fol- to present the self-declaration stated that if a crew arrives in respective it was going to amend its prison Delhi government's additional imum one year of their award- low home-isolation during the forms to the health authorities India with COVID-19 symp- airports," stated rules to provide the options of standing counsel Anuj ed jail term. Lok Sabha adjourned time at their own country." and clear the health screening toms, then they have to declare the letter special parole and furlough. Aggarwal said. Under the existing prison sine die amid The letter enumerated the at the respective airports," stat- the same to the APHO Another proposal mooted is He said a notification would rules, furlough is a leave grant- steps that need to be taken for ed the letter. (Airport Health Organisation) to amend the prison rules and be issued within a day to amend ed as a reward for good conduct coronavirus outbreak crew members of internation- Coronavirus cases rose to and follow the isolation proto- inform APHO for isolation introduce the expression of the prison rules to include the to a convict sentenced to five NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha was al flights landing at Indian air- 415 in the country on Monday. cols as directed by them. and testing. The airlines should 'emergency parole' which shall new provisions. years or more jail term and who adjourned sine die on Monday, ports. Seven people had died till "During the stay in India, if take the responsibility of mon- authorise the government to Parole, under the existing has undergone three years nearly two weeks ahead of "The crew has to fill the self- Saturday evening due to the the crew develops any itoring the health of the crew grant parole for up to eight prison rules, means releasing a thereof. Once eligible, a prison- schedule in view of the declaration forms, similar to virus. signs/symptoms of COVID-19, members during their stay at weeks in one spell, in addition prisoner for not more than a er is granted 49 days furlough coronavirus outbreak. Minutes the passengers. The crew needs The health ministry's letter they should immediately India," the letter noted. to the regular parole of one month to maintain social ties each year. before Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House sine die, it passed the Finance Bill 2020 without any discussion. Two Bills were also introduced in Lok Raj bars assembly of Cases rise to 30, Guj CM urges people to stay indoors Sabha. The Budget Session was scheduled to end on April 3. PNS n AHMEDABAD districts where cases of coron- five or more people Gujarat CM Vijay avirus emerge in the coming Twelve new coronavirus cases Rupani said the days. Essential goods will be Jharkhand Assembly PNS n JAIPUR lakh beds for quarantine in have been reported in Gujarat, available to people during the adjourned sine die places like houses, hotels, hostels taking the total number of 'Janta curfew' on partial lockdown," he said. Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu and hospitals. those infected by the deadly Sunday was just a In his message to the public over coronavirus Sharma on Monday said the gov- The minister said that strict virus in the state to 30, the state token and the posted online, Rupani said this RANCHI: Jharkhand Assembly ernment has imposed pro- action will be taken against health department said on was a "decisive stage", and Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato hibitory orders restricting asse- those spreading rumours on Monday. Out of the 12 cases coronavirus- appealed to public to follow the on Monday adjourned the mbly of five or more people to social media and flouting pro- reported on Monday, five are affected districts of protocol related to partial lock- budget session of the House prevent the spread of coronavirus. hibitory orders and added that those of local transmission, the state will have down in Ahmedabad, sine die in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The He said that people can be the state government has arrest- while other patients have his- to follow the same Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, booked under IPC Section 188 ed 29 people for such offences. tory of travel to Saudi Arabia, Gandhinagar and Kutch, from decision to adjourn the House (disobedience of order) if they Hoarding and black marketing Sri Lanka, France and the UK, partial lockdown till where cases have been report- indefinitely was taken at a are found violating the order. of masks, sanitiser and food it said. With this, cases in March 31 ed so far, till March 25. meeting of the Business "The state government has grains is also punishable. Ahmedabad have gone up to Rupani said the industry Advisory Committee. The taken strict measures like impos- The minister said that a 13, Vadodara-six, Surat-five fering from ailments like kid- curfew' was just a token. It is starts," Rupani said in the state bodies have also extended sup- Demands for Grants of different ing a lockdown but I have seen COVID-19 relief fund has been and Gandhinagar-four, while ney failure, asthma and others. necessary that people of Gujarat Assembly here. port to the lockdown. departments for the 2020-21 that people are not taking it seri- set up by CM Ashok Gehlot there is one case each report- Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay follow this till March 31. "Till now, we have put five "We need not fear coron- financial year were passed ously. The PM himself has said where people can make dona- ed from Kutch and Rajkot, the Rupani said the 'Janta curfew' People should not come out major cities - Ahmedabad, avirus, but need to fight togeth- through guillotine before the that the lockdown should be tions. Nursing and paramedical health department said. on Sunday was just a token and unnecessarily. We are about to Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and er against the pandemic," he speaker adjourned the House. strictly implemented," Sharma councils have contributed Rs 11 The state has so far report- the coronavirus- affected dis- enter the third stage where the Gandhinagar - and the entire said. "I once again ask people The budget session, which said. He said that in order to deal lakh each while medical and ed one death- of a 67- year-old tricts of the state will have to fol- virus transmits in communities Kutch district under lockdown. to remain indoors till March began on February 28, was with any emergency, the state pharmacy councils have con- coronavirus positive patient low the same partial lockdown with multiplying effect. China Now, we are mulling to stop 31. This is the best way to stop scheduled to end on March 28. government has identified one tributed Rs 5 lakh each, he said. in Surat on Sunday. He was suf- till March 31. "Sunday's 'Janta is in fifth stage, where recovery people's movement in all those the spread of coronavirus. The state has been put under a lockdown till March 31. Quarantine of a large number of people worries Yediyurappa Rahul targets Modi govt over ‘delay' in PNS n BENGALURU spread of the infections of the res- home and prevent getting dis- down of all commercial activities piratory disease." eases', and strengthening of pub- barring essential services, in banning export of ventilators, masks Even as the Karnataka govern- "Our only worry is: How to lic- private partnership to tack- nine districts, where COVID-19 ment toughened measures to halt quarantine the large number of le the COVID-19 outbreak. cases have been reported, till PNS n NEW DELHI masks with immediate effect the spread of COVID-19 out- people who have come in con- These owners came forward to March 31. in wake of the coronavirus break, the Chief Minister B S tact with the disease", the Chief spare the service of doctors and They are: Bengaluru city, Congress leader Rahul outbreak. Yediyurappa said on Monday Minister said. clinic staff working in their hos- Bengaluru Rural, Mangaluru, Gandhi on Monday hit out at "Respected Prime Minister, quarantining the large number of The experts, doctors and own- pitals, andagreed to spare more Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Dharwad, Prime Minister Narendra WHO's advice 1. Ventilator 2. people who have come in con- ers of private hospitals the gov- than 100 ventilators. Chikkaballapura, Kodagu and Modi over the "delay" in the Surgical Mask, why did the tact with the coronavirus positive ernment consulted suggested "My sincere and serious appeal Belagavi. government's decision to ban Indian government allow the patients remained the "only "complete shutdown", Yediyu- to the people staying in urban Six new COVID-19 cases the export of essential life- export of all these things till worry". Yediyurappa requested rappa said. They suggested to areas not to visit villages and were confirmed in Karnataka on saving equipment like venti- March 19, instead of keeping experts, doctors and owners of start fever clinics where prelim- hamlets which are till today free Sunday, taking the total number lators and surgical masks sufficient stock? Which kind private hospitals to "serve the inary checkups will be done. from COVID-19", the Chief of infections to the respiratory amid coronavirus outbreak. of forces have encouraged people through Government" "Thirty fever clinics will be start- Minister said. disease to 26 -- the highest num- The government had on these games? Isn't this a crim- which is serious to implement all ed", he said. They suggested the seriousness of the situation, and The Karnataka government ber of positive cases in a single March 19 banned export of all able masks and textile raw inal conspiracy?" asked their suggestions to contain the make people understand the popularise the message: 'Stay at has already announced shut- day in the State. ventilators, surgical/dispos- material used for making Gandhi in a tweet in Hindi. Ladakh imposes lockdown till March 31 People stock up as Bihar

PNS n LEH contact with family members and others. The Union Territory of Ladakh He said the Leh airport will govt announces lockdown has been placed on lockdown till operate as usual and there is no March 31 to check the spread of change in schedule of flights PNS n PATNA coronavirus even as the reports arriving from Delhi or Jammu. TN lockdown: of 16 fresh samples of suspect- The deputy commissioners of A day after the Bihar govern- ed cases have tested negative, a Leh and Kargil said in the lock- ment imposed a lockdown in Borders sealed senior government official said down order that there would be urban areas of the state to on Monday. a "complete ban on assembly of check the spread of Covid-19, to combat The lockdown came into three or more persons for any people were seen thronging effect across Ladakh at 8 pm on reason, whatsoever, and com- market places and medical Coronavirus Sunday and will remain in force plete shutdown of all shops stores to stock up on essentials. PNS n CHENNAI till 6 pm on March 31, officials and business establishments, In state capital Patna, resi- said. educational institutions, markets dents moved around freely in Tamil Nadu will be under a Ladakh has so far recorded a and Anganwadi centres". cars and bikes, some of them lockdown till March 31 from 6 total of 13 positive coronavirus However, the essential ser- queuing up next to petrol PM on Tuesday to prevent the cases. The District Development Samphel told reporters here. having a recent travel history to vices and supply chains to main- pumps and ATMs. spread of coronavirus and Commissioners of both Leh Seeking cooperation of the the United States and who tain the essential services were Tea shops and snack stalls A vendor at a local market Agarwal said 53 vehicles have CrPC section 144 will be and Kargil districts have people, he said, "We will ensure reached Leh on Saturday in a exempted from the purview of were also open throughout in the state capital said his cus- been seized so far for violating invoked for its implementation, imposed Section 144 of the that they do not face any prob- very bad condition with sus- the shutdown, the officials said. the day, as people stood next tomers were buying vegetables the order. CM K Palaniswami announ- Criminal Procedure Code lem during the shutdown peri- pected symptoms of COVID- They said there would be to each other to relish their and milk for a week, as they are The administration will take ced. Making a statement in the (CrPC), the Disaster od". 19, is likely to reach by this complete restrictions on the cuppa, without following the sceptical about the availabili- appropriate action against those assembly on Monday, he said Management Act and the He said the reports of all 16 (Monday) evening," he said. movement of interdistrict and advised norms of social dis- ty of essential items over the who fail to abide by the rules, that barring essential and emer- Epidemic Diseases Act under suspected cases — 12 hailing Samphel said all the co-pas- intra-district commercial trans- tancing. next few days. he asserted. In Muzaffarpur and gency services, public and pri- which only essential services will from Kargil and four from Leh sengers of the person have been port and other modes of public One or two private buses Asked what actions were Siwan districts, too, a few pri- vate transportation will not be available to the people till — were received from Delhi on contacted and asked to remain transport, except for authorized and auto-rickshaws were also being taken against those flout- vate buses, with passengers in function. The announcement March 31, Commissioner Saturday and were negative. under home-quarantine for 14 transport plying for essential seen plying the roads, in vio- ing rules, Patna Divisional excess of their capacity, were came a day after the COVID- Secretary (Health) Rigzin "The test report of a person, days and to ensure no physical purposes. lation of the lockdown order. Commissioner Sanjay Kumar plying the roads. 19 cases in the state rose to nine. People not taking lockdown People resort to panic buying of essentials in Nagaland in Maha seriously: Minister PNS n KOHIMA In state capital Kohima, res- from outside will be allowed to till further orders. idents were seen queuing up enter the state till Monday All inter-state entry points in PNS n THANE ing Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and With the Nagaland govern- outside grocery stores, ATMs midnight. the state have also been sealed Thane, are under partial lock- ment announcing a lockdown and medical shops, many of The Nagaland government, with police personnel manning Maharashtra Housing Minister down with only essential ser- in the state as a precautionary them without following the in its order on Sunday, said all the 14 inter-state border check and senior NCP leader Jitendra vices being exempted. Awhad, measure to contain the spread advised norms of social dis- shops and business establish- gates with Assam, Manipur Awhad on Monday said people MLA from Mumbra Kalwa in of novel coronavirus, people tancing. ments, barring pharmacies, and Arunachal Pradesh. were not following social dis- Thane district, said he toured his resorted to panic-buying of Several cars had also lined petrol pumps, grocery shops, The chief secretary had tancing or lockdown rules prop- area on Monday and found a lot essential items on Monday. up next to petrol pumps, even dairy shops and media offices, appealed to people to main- erly and asked Chief Minister of people and vehicles out on the Nagaland Chief Secretary as private and public buses shall remain closed March 22 tain hygiene, follow social Uddhav Thackeray to clamp streets. The Covid-19 patients in Temjen Toy had assured on largely stayed off the roads. midnight. distancing norms and remain curfew in more areas in the state Maharashtra rose to 89 with 15 Sunday that there would be no In the districts, too, people It had also stated that com- indoors unless absolutely to effectively tackle the novel more coronavirus positive cases shortage of essential commodi- thronged market places, stock- mercial passenger vehicles, necessary. Nagaland has coronavirus outbreak. Several reported in the last 24 hours, ties in the state, despite the ing up on milk and vegetables. both public and private, like reported any Covid-19 posi- major cities in the state, includ- officials said. lockdown order. Vehicles carrying passengers buses, taxis, autos shall not ply tive case so far. HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | MARCH 24, 2020 COVID-19 OUTBREAK nation 05

Maha seals borders after 1 more death LOCKDOWN TN RAGHUNATHA n MUMBAI: State borders, the district bor- the 15 fresh cases, 14 are from Maharashtra on Monday to of procuring essential com- KOLKATA der sealing orders do not apply Mumbai and one case is from purchase essential commodities modities, health services and Roads and streets of Kolkata wore a deserted look on Monday as the lockdown in the city and several other n an extreme measure to to medical emergencies,” the Pune. The fresh cases include 8 and drugs. Though there were activities permitted under the areas of West Bengal began at 5 pm, which will continue till March 27, officials said. Police personnel were Icheck the alarming spread of Chief Minister said. close contacts or family mem- reasonably large crowds around order and with only one person seen asking people through public address systems to return homes and shopkeepers to down the shutters COVID-19, Chief Minister Meanwhile, the bers of earlier positive cases and grocery and medical stops, the besides the driver. of their business establishments. Uddhav Thackeray on Monday Coronavirus toll in the State 4 with travel history to affected police chose not to enforce sec- In a restriction that stipu- ordered lockdown in entire rose to three as a 68-year old countries,” State Health Minister tion 144 of CrPc banning five or lates a penal against those not Maharashtra till March 31 and Philippine citizen man, who Rajesh Tope said. more persons understandably to complying with “home quaran- sealing of all State borders and initially tested positive and Of the total infected cases in help the harried citizens. tine”, the relevant portion of the KERALA 25 coronavirus-free district bor- later tested negative after appar- the state, Mumbai accounted for Addressing the people notification read thus: “Every Twenty-eight positive cases of coronavirus were reported from Kerala on Monday, taking the total number of ders, even as the pandemic ently after some recovery, died a maximum of 38 cases, while across the state live through person who is required to home patients under treatment to 91, following which the left Government has decided to lockdown the state till claimed one more life and the at a private hospital late on Pune and Pimpri-chinchwad social media, Uddhav said: quarantine shall strictly observe March 31. Of the 28, 19 are from the worst-affected northern district of Kasaragod, five from Kannur, one total number of confirmed Sunday night. cities reported 16 and 12 cases “Essential commodities, drugs. the same failing which he/she from Pathnamthitta, two from Ernakulam and one from Thrissur, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters COVID-19 cas es shot up to 89 The patient had been admit- respectively. Nagpur, Yavatmal, Drug manufacturing compa- will be liable for penal action and after a COVID-19 review meeting. in the State. ted to the Kasturba Hospital in Kalyan and Navi Mumbai nies, agricultural goods and shifted to Government quaran- An overnight after the Mumbai ten days ago and post- recorded four infected cases products, banks/ATMSe related tine”. Maharashtra Government recovery when he tested nega- each, while Ahmednagar district activities, print and electronic Under the lockdown order, extended the Prime Minister- tive, moved to a private hospi- accounted for two cases. Panvel, media, IT, telecom, postal, inter- any congregation of more than ARUNACHAL called “Janata Curfew” from 9 tal where he succumbed late on Thane, Ulhasnagar, Aurangabad net and data services, supply five persons is prohibited in pub- The Arunachal Pradesh Government has announced a lockdown in the State from Monday evening till March pm till 5 am, the Chief Minister Sunday. “The patient was a case and Ratnagiri registered one chain and transport of essential lic places. “All shops, including 31 in view of the coronavirus outbreak, officials said. All essential services will continue during the period, announced a slew of measures of diabetes mellitus and asthma. confirmed coronavirus case commodities have been spared commercial establishments, according to a notification issued by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar on Sunday night. under the Epidemic Diseases He was admitted on March 13. each. The State Health Minister from the lockdown,” the Chief offices and factories, workshops, Act, 1897, including lockdown He had developed acute renal said that the state stood on the Minister said. godowns etc shall close their in the entire State, sealing of all failure and respiratory distress,” threshold of a 'multiplication Under the lockdown notifi- operation. However, manufac- State borders and 25 coron- a statement issued by the pub- stage' of the virus and empha- cation issued by the Maharashtra turing units engaged in pro- ASSAM avirs-free district borders and lic health department of the sized the need for people to later in the evening, all public duction of essential commodi- Assam will be under lockdown from 6 pm on Tuesday till March 31 in the wake of the novel coronavirus penal action against those who Brihanmumbai Municipal maintain ‘social distancing’. transport services including ties like dal, rice mill, related pandemic, Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced. Addressing a press are not complying with “home Corporation (BMC) said. "This is the stage to exercise inter-city MSRTC buses and units, dairy units, feed and fod- conference here on Monday, Sarma said essential services like pharmacies, medical, water supply, banking, quarantine”. After the latest death, the extreme precautions since we Metro rail will not be permitted. der units, will be permitted to and petrol pumps would be exempted from the purview of the lockdown. “As a precautionary mea- total number coronavirus-relat- don't want to enter from Phase Significantly enough, taxies operate,” the order stated. sure to prevent the spread of ed deaths rose to three. Earlier, II to Phase III at any cost," Tope with not more than two persons The coronavirus free dis- coronavirus, we have sealed a 63-year-old disease-infected said, as he appealed to people to besides drivers, autorickshaws tricts where borders have been the various borders of had died at the Kasurba Hospital stay indoors as such a measure with not more than one pas- ordered to be sealed are: LADAKH Maharashtra. We have also the on March 17, while another 63- would help check the spread of senger besides driver are per- Wardha, Bhandara, Gondia, collectors of 25 coronavirus-free year-old male patient, who had COVID-19. mitted only for purposes spec- Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Satara, The Union Territory of Ladakh has been placed on lockdown till March 31 to check the spread of coronavirus districts to issue orders pro- been admitted to private hospi- After 22-hour-long curfew, ified in the notification. Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur, even as the reports of 16 fresh samples of suspected cases have tested negative, a senior government official hibiting any vehicular move- tal in Mumbai on March 19. including the 14-hour-long “However, transport of passen- Buldhana, Amravati, Akola, said on Monday. Ladakh has so far recorded a total of 13 positive coronavirus cases. The District ments into their districts. The With 15 more fresh cases, “Janata Curfew” called by Prime gers for accessing emergency Washim, Nashik, Dhule, Development Commissioners of both Leh and Kargil districts have imposed Section 144 of the Criminal movement of essential and per- the total number of confirmed Minister Narendra Modi, peo- medical services shall be per- Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Beed, Jalna, Procedure Code (CrPC), the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemic Diseases Act under which only ishable commodities have been coronavirus cases in the state ple ventured out of their homes mitted. Plying of private vehicles Osmanabad, Parbhani, Hingoli, essential services will be available to the people till March 31, Commissioner Secretary (Health) Rigzin spared from the lockdown of jumped to 79 on Monday. “Of in Mumbai and other parts of shall be restricted to the extent Latur, Nanded and Sindhudurg. Samphel told reporters here. Bengal reports Two Indians, 10 Church priest RS bids farewell Centre likely to announce bailout foreign preachers in Kerala to 57 retiring detained in Bihar arrested for members from package to soften COVID-19 blow first death PTI n PATNA 20 states KUMAR CHELLAPPAN n "In view of the spread of large airlines to small traders, SAUGAR SENGUPTA n The relatives of the victim wo Indians and 10 holding mass NEWDELHI: The Rajya Sabha CHENNAI novel #CoronaVirus in India, all have been hit as travel KOLKATA said he had recently back trav- TKyrgyzstan nationals were on Monday bid farewell to 57 its declaration as pandemic by ceased, social distancing start- elled back from Bilaspur in held in preventive custody Thrissur(Ker)/Chennai: As members, including veteran he government is expected the WHO, and decision of ed, all shops except essential ven as all the Opposition Chhattisgarh by Pune-Howrah here on Monday in the wake of coronavirus cases in the coun- NCP leader Sharad Pawar, who Tto announce economic Government of India to treat commodities shut and city Eparties including BJP, Left Azad Hind Express wondering the coronavirus outbreak and try surge past 400, a priest in will retire between April and package shortly amid high this as notified disaster, it is after city came under lock- and the Congress hailed Chief whether he had contacted the sent to the All India Institute Kerala who conducted a mass at July. One-third of the members expectation of bailout by sec- hereby clarified that spending down. Minister Mamata Banerjee for disease while travelling in of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in a church defying a Government of the Upper House retire every tors hugely affected by coron- of CSR funds for COVID-19 is In the US, the Donald her “impressive performance” train. the city for tests, police said. order against public gatherings two years. avirus, sources said. Four days eligible CSR activity. Trump government has initi- in containing the proliferation “If he did not pick it up Acting on a complaint by was arrested on Monday. As many as 57 Rajya Sabha ago, during his address #IndiaFightCorona," her tweet ated a trillion-dollar stimulus of the dreaded virus, the State, from his son or if his son had the locals, police picked them Priest Pauly Padayatti, members from 20 states will be to the nation, read. package for the economy, reported its first corona-infect- not visited India in the past up from a mosque in Kurji area Vicar of the Lady of Perpetual retiring in the next three Prime Minister Her tweets also which, however, has been ed death with a 57-year-old couple of months then he could of the Bihar capital. The for- Help church at Koodapuzha in months. Bidding farewell, Narendra Modi announced the relaxation blocked by Democrats. Railway employee from Dum be the first such patient who eigners were Islamic preachers, Chalakudy, conducted the Rajya Sabha Chairman M had announced of compliance provisions But following the US initia- Dum succumbing to his ail- contacted the virus from the Digha police station SHO mass on Monday morning in Venkaiah Naidu said some of the formation by securities exchange tive, there have been expecta- ments late on Monday noon. community,” a Government Manoj Kumar said. which at least 100 people had the retiring members have of a special task board SEBI and the tions of a special package from At least three other relatives of official said. The two guides are resi- participated, police said. The been re-elected. However, the force headed by Reserve Bank's decision to the government, which peaked the victim, including his wife There are seven more dents of Uttar Pradesh, he priest was arrested and later let House will continue to miss finance minister conduct variable rate term after it became known that the and mother, were under obser- Corona-infected patients said. off on bail. those who will not be coming Nirmala Sitharaman. repos of ?1,00,000 crores. Prime Minister would address vation at a different hospital of undergoing treatment at the Six of them were tested A case under sections 269 back, he said. The COVID-19 Economic In a special address to the the nation on Thursday. Kolkata, Health Department Beleghata ID Hospital, sources negative for COVID-19 while IPC (Negligent act likely to Stating that change is Response Task Force, he said, nation on Thursday evening, In Parliament today, the sources. said adding no new infection reports of the others are await- spread infection of diseases inevitable and the only constant would take an overview of the the Prime Minister said the Congress demanded a financial Though any foreign trav- was reported on Monday. ed, the police officer said. dangerous to life) and 118e of in life, Naidu noted, situation and suggest the way coronavirus already had a huge package, saying the govern- el history of the victim was still Meanwhile, even as the Six persons whose reports the Kerala Police Act (causing "Membership of the parlia- ahead. effect on the global economy. ment should have done it today. not established as his wife said urban parts of the State went are awaited have been quar- danger to public) has been reg- ment in general and Rajya Ms Sitharaman has already But its impact in India is yet to But Speaker Om Birla told that they had not visited any into a complete lockdown the antined at a city hotel. istered against the priest and the Sabha, in particular, is an hon- declared that the donations be analysed. Congress's Adhir Ranjan corona-affected country in the opposition leaders of Bengal "Initially, we detained them 100-odd faithful. The total our which comes with its made towards fighting Worldwide, the economy Choudhury that the matter recent past, authorities were on Monday hailed the Chief for medical examination but number of COVID-19 cases in unique set of challenges that COVID-19 would be counted has gone into a tailspin since should not be raised as there trying to find out whether his Minister for her “impressive later set six of them free," the the country surged to 415, a calls for significant account- as "Corporate Social the coronavirus started spread- was an understanding only to infection had anything to do performance” in containing officer said, adding all had spike from the figure of 360 the ability towards the citizens of Responsibility". ing from China' Wuhan. From pass the finance bill today. with his US-based son. the outbreak. valid travel documents. night before. PTI our country." Army postpones J&K borders sealed fully, recruitment Tejashwi offers official more funds released for bungalow for use as quarantine rally in J&K anti-virus fight: Official Jammu: The Army on Monday announced the postponement of MOHIT KANDHARI n JAMMU declared out of bounds by camp or virus testing centre its 10-day major recruitment placing concertina wires on the Patna: Leader of Opposition in One of them, a 38-year-old man, rally slated to take place in fter locking down four historic bridge connecting the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi died at AIIMS, Patna, on Rajouri district of Jammu & Amost-affected districts in Jammu & Kashmir with Prasad Yadav, on Monday Saturday, while the other patient Kashmir next month in view of Jammu & Kashmir and Madhopur in Punjab. offered his 1, Polo road official was undergoing treatment. "As the coronavirus outbreak. The Ladakh, the administrators on To check movement of bungalow to the Government the leader of opposition, I have rally was meant for eligible can- Monday decided to seal inter- people in their personal vehi- for turning it into a makeshift been allotted the 1, Polo road didates of all the 10 districts of state borders with Punjab, cles, the Government also quarantine camp or a testing government bungalow. I would Jammu province. "In view of Himanchal Pradesh, and decided to restrict inter district centre for Covid-19. like to put it (bungalow) to bet- COVID-19, Army Recruitment Ladakh to effectively deal with movement of vehicles but only Taking to Twitter, the RJD ter use," Yadav tweeted. Rally scheduled to be held at the outbreak of COVID-19. It permitted movement of vehi- leader also said that he would "The bungalow could be ALG, Rajouri from April 20 to also ordered release of an addi- cles ferrying essential supplies. donate a month's salary to the used as a quarantine camp or a 29 for eligible candidates of tional `40 crore to all deputy A Government advisory chief minister's relief fund to testing centre, or for setting up Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Jammu, commissioners to support their urged public to stay at home help those in need in the wake isolation wards and increasing Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, corona-mitigation efforts to slow the spread of the of the crisis. the number of beds. It can also Samba and Udhampur districts besides two months' advance novel coronavirus disease As per the State Health be used in any other manner to of J&K has been postponed till ration to eligible consumers. (Covid-19) and advised not to Societys bulletin, of the 143 fight against the coronavirus further order," the defence The gateway of Jammu & venture out unless it is samples collected till Sunday, two outbreak," he wrote on the spokesman said. PTI Kashmir at Lakhanpur was absolutely essential. A municipal corporation health worker sprays disinfectant to contain the spread of coronavirus in Jammu on Monday PTI have tested positive for Covid-19. microblogging site. PTI

Guwahati:Assam TheLoP leader writes of the tobringing Shah, to hisexpresses notice the fact concernincidents, where over persons NE frompeople"Other being incidents targetted include No big-fat wedding in Tamil Nadu anymore opposition in Assam that at a time when the coun- the north-east have been another young woman from KUMAR CHELLAPPAN n all for public consumption. You venues have been shifted to the Monday saw a youth Legislative Assembly, try was struggling to cope abused as chinkis, bat-eating the north-east being spat upon CHENNAI may not see Brahmin pundits sanctum sanctorum of tem- belonging to the political outfit Debabrata Saikia, on Monday with the threat posed by coro- tribe etc," Saikia said. by a scooterist in New Delhi officiating as “God’s ples! The priest of the temple led by film star Vijayakanth wrote to Union Home navirus, certain racist ele- He said that at a shopping for apparently the same rea- pulence, that’s how people Representative” during the cer- blesses the couple, who tying nuptial note in Chennai. Minister Amit Shah expressing ments in some parts of India mall in Pune, a middle-aged son. Odescribe marriages in Tamil emony. But there are new exchange the garlands (made He was forced to do away with concern over the targeting of were abusing and vilifying woman abused a young girl A woman named Angelica Nadu. Whether the bride and avatars of EV Ramasamy out of minimum number of all celebrations because of the people from the north-east fol- people with Mongoloid fea- from the north-east ostensibly Aribam was so appallingly groom hail from the rich and Naicker (founder of Dravidian flowers) which are sanitised. Section 144 but he shifted the lowing the coronavirus out- tures who hail from the north- because she suspected the vic- abused on social media that she powerful families or from the movement who propounded The minimum number of venue to the actor’s residence so break. eastern states. tim of being a Chinese nation- was compelled to lodge an FIR lower middle class strata, mar- the idea of self-respect mar- guests who grace the occasion that his “God” could grace the The Congress leader, in his "I have already received al, and therefore, responsible with the Delhi Police against the riages in Tamil Nadu are known riages) playing the role of the are welcomed not with the tra- occasion. A wheel chair bound letter to Shah, said that he was information about several such for spreading the coronavirus. culprits," he said. PTI for their extravaganzas, mind pundit. The marriages contin- ditional sandal waters and pastes Vijayakanth, who is keeping boggling entertainments and ued to be glittering events where but with sanitisers with which indifferent health for the last two unique and exquisite spread of music concerts and western they could clean their hands! years attended the marriage lunch and dinner tables. The dance events by the stars of The amount of loss suffered covering his face with mask and number of persons attending Kollywood played major role. by the catering agents because blessed the couple. the marriage reception and the Not any more. The coron- of the corona virus attack is Elsewhere in the State, the kind of swanky cars in which avirus, which struck Tamil beyond comprehension. bride, groom and their imme- the guests arrive are an indica- Nadu early this month, has “Usually there would be a min- diate relations constitute the list tion of the social stand of the taken the glamour and crowd imum of 6,000 guests for a mar- of guests. The same is the case hosts. off the marriages. The last four riage. The coronavirus has in Kerala with parents of soon Though the Dravidian days saw people hailing from brought it down. We serve 14 to to be married youngsters decid- movements in the State claim upper middle class families 20 course meals during lunch ing to do away with the air-con- that they have revolutionised doing away with all opulence, which include vegetable ditioned wedding halls, lavish Tamil society with self-respect high-end celebrations and the biriyani, fried rice, parothas, feasts, and related rituals which marriages, touted as simple unique spreads during lunch puris, vegetable curries and would help them save a few events sans Vedic scholars for and dinner. Gone are the glit- sweet delicacies,” said lakhs. solemnising the most important terati and chauffer driven lim- Manikandan , a lead caterer COVID virus too has its event in the lives of youths, it is ousines. And above all, the from Ambur near Velore. advantages ! HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | MARCH 24, 2019

www.dailypioneer.com 06 facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ op nion PAPER WITH PASSION Slowing the virus Drugs like chloroquine, which the US, France and now India have approved, are stopgaps. Research needed for vaccine Rebuild from ground zero s nations, India included, have gotten into a lockdown as part of a protocol to break Athe chain of infection, all isolation can We are at that moment in history that will test national leadership by gauging how efficiently do is to buy some time to develop an antidote or at least a containment drug. This is the real Governments react with compassion, speed and scale. We have to ride it out collectively war against time as scientists and doctors across the globe are trying out all kinds of per- mutations and combinations. A virus trial poses severe challenges. First, the disease load ebbs by the time a drug has been created and is waiting to be tested through trials on affect- ed subjects. Delayed clearances and approvals for safety and use mean the drug may be ready but does not have enough demand for a commercial rollout. Considering the heavy funding that goes into such BINDU DALMIA research, a drug has to make economic sense before it can be manufactured. his Sunday, on March 22, sharp Sometimes the cure, even when rolled out, may be specific to one wave of out- at 5 pm, we witnessed a rare tryst break and a virus mutation may not render it as effective in the second wave. when the entire nation gathered Coronavirus poses an even more serious challenge — nobody knows its char- on their balconies and rooftops to applaud the valorous brave- acter, speed of mutation and changing transmittable capacities. And given the heartsT who have been endangering their trail of devastation and deaths, it is giving us very little time to think. Which is lives to serve the rest. The clamour of gongs why the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) solidarity project offers a slim ray reverberated like a celebration, reminiscent of some medieval time in history. Except of hope in arresting the virulence at least. As of now, it has approved the use of that this solemn and collective chiming of existing drugs to arrest severe deterioration in conditions because developing bells and conch shells was happening in a compounds from scratch is time-consuming. There is the drug combination already war-like situation of utter morbidity to fight back the black swan, COVID-19, which has used against HIV. There’s a malaria treatment first tested during World War II. struck lives and livelihoods with unprece- And the new anti-viral against ebola. The WHO study, which could include many dented ferocity. thousands of patients in dozens of countries, is putting together a global data- The Armageddon of 2020 is more per- ilous than the localised terrorist strikes of base of hospitals that can log in patient responses to various drug regimes and 26/11, the Great Depression of 1929, the establish a pattern of response. financial apocalypse of 2008 or any other one- Frankly, repurposing existing drugs is a workable option at this stage because time shocker, devastating human lives and financial resources. The spread of the pan- they are already approved for other diseases and are safe. Some experts are demic has left the medical fraternity and pol- also looking at unapproved drugs that have performed well in animal studies icy-makers confounded on how to deal with with earlier strains of Coronaviruses, which have caused severe acute respira- the crisis because the contour of this upheaval tory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Besides, is a biological beast and has nothing to do with the principles of economics. Yes, we are these drugs can be prophylactics, much needed to protect healthcare workers all together and, hopefully, six months from much before the COVID-19 tional/domestic environmental tices being pursued by Canada payments for hawkers, vendors and others at high risk of infection. Also treatment time could be reduced, eas- now, this, too, shall pass. pandemic struck, even the few laws, there is a ‘polluter pays prin- and the US among others, as and daily wagers; and food dis- ing the pressure on critical medical infrastructure and making sure that more We stand at that moment in time when erstwhile profitable sectors have ciple.’ Similarly, China must be most nations are moving tribution and emergency shelters we have been compelled to self-reflect and now been pushed to the brink. forced to provide free medical aid towards offering a universal to the unorganised and vulner- can access facilities and get succour. The HIV combo failed in a small study in re-strategise from the confines of individual This will all precipitate India’s and economic reimbursements basic income. Exceeding fiscal able sections in need of financial China but has been successful in other parts, including Thailand and in Jaipur isolation: How do we cope by rebuilding banking crisis even deeper with to all countries affected by the deficits no longer matters as pol- aid with immediacy. here. The WHO, therefore, believes a large trial with a greater variety of patients from the free-fall of economies; insulate our- a likelihood of turning even virus.” Especially as China prof- icy-makers now need to tear up Aside from ensuring freer selves from being afflicted by the disease; the positive net-worth firms into itted the most through global conventional theories of eco- flow of working capital, the is warranted. The malaria drug chloroquine has been found to work on respira- shock of ensuing job losses; and worst, the non-performing assets (NPAs). trade in the comity of nations. As nomics that are outdated and Government is now expected to tory cells. It increases the endosomal PH required for the virus-host target cell emotional aftermath of feeling vulnerable India’s response is in sync the culprit nation, it deserves salvage livelihoods by offering take its fiduciary duties serious- fusion, limiting the virus takeover of the body. In SARS-Coronavirus, chloroquine and so close to death? The $87 trillion glob- with the rest of the world in hav- international sanction and eco- financial relief commensurate ly by under taking the role of a al economy propels on the simple principle ing to resort to fiscal expansion nomic isolation. Because even with the economic costs of the standing guarantor for a portion was found to interfere with the glycosylation of cellular receptors of the virus. of “one person’s spending being the other while simultaneously lowering acts of genocide or terrorism crisis. The downside is that of the wages for businesses This isolated the bug. Though not acting on the virus per se, it is strengthening person’s income” as the underlying driver of revenue target expectations to stand pale in comparison to the even when the most developed affected by the crisis and those host systems and preventing the former from latching on to them. This is believed any business activity. With the world in shut- perhaps the lowest ever. The havoc wrought by Corona’s con- economy like the US disburses unable to operate, offering a life- down mode, the economic impact of social anticipated shortfall cannot be tagion and contagiousness. $1,000 to all adults, people will line to citizens by lowering to halt the virus in the preliminary stages and arrest complications like pneumo- distancing is at present unquantifiable as the now made up through disinvest- This is serious and re-read spend it only on necessities and taxes as also the rates of utilities; nia. Also, chloroquine molecules do not lose their effectiveness, both pre and risks to life cascade into financial risks that ment targets but will have to this point please: I state that conserve the rest. This will not extending loan tenors and relax- post-infection. They increase the volume of zinc ions in the host cell to inhibit will reverberate for at least a year until a med- depend on the deficit being China’s wilful opacity on this spur the demand cycle. ing bad-debt norms for small ical solution is found. made up through the windfall issue is tantamount to mass The Government’s task force firms; and speeding up direct the virus. Remdesivir, the anti-viral, intravenous medicine for ebola, has had lab- Restricting physical movement has gains of roughly $50 billion murder. Because near-fatal out- under the Finance Ministry will, cash transfers to eligible Jan level success and is being used in human trials. In the end, these are still just damaged the demand-supply economics through oil arbitrage. If the 2008 breaks can originate from any of course, address sectoral con- Dhan holders and for MNRE- proactive but preventive steps and a global research and sustained funding is much beyond what a cyclic slowdown or a financial crisis eroded a decade’s country. But the host nation has cerns of the largest afflicted GA wagers dependent on con- recession could erode, lowering forecasts of global growth and earnings, a moral obligation to not wilful- unorganised sector, hospitality struction activity that has needed to tame the Coronavirus, which keeps on appearing in a deadlier form global growth to 1.25 per cent. Prolonged COVID-19 will globally regress ly obfuscate facts that can jeop- and tourism, which employs 40 slowed down. year after year. Conspiracy theories of bio-warfare strategies and big pharma growth below two per cent is classified as national and individual gains ardise the very survival of million people. Restaurants This is a moment in history complicity apart, COVID-19 has shown why nobody can be safe or be around “recession” by the International Monetary even deeper and longer, elevat- humanity. As the Chinese econ- account for 7.3 million jobs, that will test national leadership Fund (IMF) with shrinkage in every para- ing sovereign and corporate debt omy will be the first to recover aviation has more than 3,50,000 by gauging how efficiently to claim the benefits of such offensives. The world economy has tanked and meter: From lowered industrialist produc- to even higher levels than they and rise, thereby having the lead employees, ride hailing services Governments react with compas- humans have hopefully realised that they themselves could become the virus. tion to a slowdown in trade to tighter cap- stood historically. in redefining its predominance in have five million driving part- sion, speed and scale. This is not A good beginning has been made between Governments on cooperative research. ital flows, less of oil consumption, heightened But who put the world into the world order, we need to ners, cinema and entertainment a moment to lose in our attempt May be the altruism will not last once the crisis ebbs but one thing is clear, if a unemployment rates and lowered per capi- mass quarantine? Once the chaos diminish our over-dependence cover eight million and online to recalibrate and resurrect from ta investment and consumption. settles and a cure is found, China for supplies of intermediate food delivery companies employ ground zero, as it were. We have rapidly mutating virus can still wipe out humanity and flus continue to be pan- The only light at the end of the tunnel must be held accountable by the goods for pharmaceutical and 5,00,000. Real estate, the second to ride it out individually and col- demics in our timelines, then we clearly have not done enough to cure our minds is for the healthcare and pharmaceutical World Health Organisation electronics from it or any single biggest employer after agricul- lectively till we inch back to pre- of the invincibility of being the supreme race. All we need to be is just human, industry, e-commerce platforms and any dig- (WHO) and international trade nation. Ideally, the culprit must ture, is expected to take a hit of crisis levels, reminding ourselves ital business that delivers products and ser- bodies for keeping the outbreak be ostracised economically for a 35 per cent. with optimism that even war- and as Indians, strictly comply with lockdown and distancing. Just remember vices online to the customer confined at home under wraps, which squan- near war-like crime. But the essence for the time losses never precluded Delhi’s Patient 10, a Dubai-returned woman, who has managed to infect an entire as has been the case for video streaming ser- dered precious five weeks that These are testing times for Government is in speeding up strong economic bounce-backs. neighbourhood simply because she didn’t comply with any norms. vices like Netflix, online grocery stores, Ed- could have alerted the world to the Indian Government to dis- the response time to effect pay- (The writer is an author, tech, e-health and fintech, among others. take proactive measures. play how it will deliver on ease outs to businesses; to ease liquid- columnist, Chairperson of the While other sectors such as the real estate, According to a Supreme Court of living and ease of doing busi- ity for the crippled NBFC and National Committee for Financial Postpone the games airlines and telecom were gasping for life Advocate, GV Rao, “In interna- ness, in line with the best prac- MSME sectors; provide cash Inclusion at Niti Aayog) There’s no doubt that the Summer Olympics will have to be S O U N D BITES deferred. Global sports is reeling under the Wuhan contagion Many people are still not I think this is the time to sort Rather than keeping a sufficient I am grateful that many CMs ven as several national Governments were taking the lockdown of restore, rejuvenate and stock of ventilators and surgi- have finally understood the groping around in the dark to figure out seriously. Please save replenish yourself. Work on cal masks, why didn’t the imperative of a lockdown. yourself by doing this, your alignment and skill sets. Government allow their They should go further and Ewhat the impact of the SARS-CoV 2 epi- save your family, follow the Normally, I don’t get time to import till March 19? Isn’t lock down all towns and demic would be, some parts of the sports instructions seriously. do riyaz and voice work. this a criminal conspiracy? cities in their States. world were quick to react. European football Prime Minister Actor Congress leader Congress leader quickly shut down games once a few players —Narendra Modi —Sayani Gupta —Rahul Gandhi —P Chidambaram were infected with the virus and then proceed- ed to even postpone its flagship European Championships scheduled for this summer. L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR The National Basketball Association was the first major American professional sports Kerala shows the way size. More intensive measures Explore work from home system must be taken. At the same time, championship to shut down after one player it is important for the was diagnosed with COVID-19. And then everything began to fall like a house Sir — Kerala Chief Minister he recent lockdown because of the Coronavirus scare Government to take care of the of cards. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which was tone deaf Pinarayi Vijayan doesn’t believe in has affected the productivity of many employees daily wage earners and ensure rhetoric like many other leaders, across the globe. The employers — private corpo- that there is no shortage of essen- to fans, imploring it to cancel the Indian Premier League (IPL), postponed the who sound much like empty ves- Trations and the Government — have now switched to tial commodities. tournament till mid-April. It now looks as if it will not go ahead at all. Australia sels. Rather, he has silently engaged alternative options. These include reduced number of Yugal Kishore Sharma and New Zealand’s One-Day international sides played a match without an audi- himself in a concrete job. He and working hours and enabling work from home. The move Faridabad his Government have announced ence but quickly cancelled the series. The English summer cricket season, too, to encourage working from home is welcome at a time a `20,000 crore revival package for when the pandemic is on the rise and threatens public Corona effect might be put on hold. those economically weak to health and safety. In the midst of all this, as sports lovers know, this is an Olympic year with help them tide over the fallout of The work from home option should be explored not COVID-19 that has shut down only during such a crisis but even after it subsides. If Sir — It is a fact that the pandem- the summer games scheduled to go ahead in Japan’s capital Tokyo. While Japan all income-generating opportuni- regular commute by employees is taken out of the pic- ic has wreaked havoc all over the has been extremely proactive in preparing for the games, both the local organ- ties for them. ture, it may help in combating air pollution and beating tivity and quality when employees work from home. By world. In addition to this, many ising committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have been grap- The package includes traffic chaos. People-friendly policies should now be experimenting with such a model, Governments can help of us have had to contend with a `140,000 crore to clear various rise in the prices of essential pling with what to do — to cancel or postpone the games. The IOC’s steadfast framed to impose work from home wherever feasible, improve the productivity of their employees as also dues the Government owes to especially in the IT sector and even in Government offices. reduce the burden on traffic and environment. This will items. Using the excuse of a stand of going ahead with the games until today is being increasingly seen as individuals and institutions, Most of the Government departments now rely on inter- reduce carbon emission levels and we can achieve work- shortage of essential commodi- an act of arrogance and stubbornness. Or is it that like the IPL, it is worried about `2,000 crore in consumer loans, net and computers rather than paperwork. An online life balance in an effective manner. ties, there are instances of prices `1,320 crore to disburse two- being raised even though there is the sponsors and broadcaster commitments? Of course, common sense should approval mechanism or a dashboard tracking system can Varun Dambal month welfare pension in be created for Government offices to track the produc- Bengaluru no shortage of goods in reality. It come into play even if the contracts are tightly worded because no commercial advance and a health package of has been made worse by all sorts contract in any sector has a pandemic clause built into it unless, of course, it is `500 crore. Be it the handling of of forwards on social media. One the Nipah virus, the rehabilitation Fight the pandemic situations, we have displayed all passenger trains and the impo- is unable to understand why the insurance industry. Qualifying tournaments have not been able to take place after the floods or local gover- immense courage. But never have sition of air travel restrictions will people are hoarding items. The due to border closures, athletes cannot train due to social distancing. While Japan nance, Kerala has been way ahead we experienced such fear and go a long way in limiting the Government must make it clear has been saved by the worst of the virus so far, bringing 50,000 athletes, offi- of the curve. Through his human- Sir — This refers to the article, anxiety as we are witnessing right spread of the disease. But beyond that shopkeepers, who are selling itarian moves, Vijayan has proved “Govt must go out of the way to now due to the spread of this, it is essential to sustain the goods at a higher price, will be cials, journalists, broadcasters, technicians and politicians from across the world that his ideology, which is a mix fight corona”( March 22). We all Coronavirus. momentum. prosecuted. to one spot would be a disaster waiting to happen. May be we will be able to of strategic thinking, communi- have seen disasters like the tsuna- The Prime Minster’s move to The number of cases being Abdul Malik Qasmi check the Wuhan contagion by then but we cannot assume that. Nor should the cation and coordination, have mi, floods, epidemics such as impose janta curfew was success- tested and those found positive Mumbai IOC. If it continues to dig its heels, it will be hosting a game that will be attend- been much better. cholera and other infectious dis- ful in bringing the people togeth- could be the tip of the iceberg. Kajal Chatterjee eases like swine flu, bird flu and er. Other measures such as the India has very few testing centres Send your feedback to: ed by none. This way, it will destroy every last shred of its credibility. Kolkata SARS among others. In all such shutdown of shops, suspension of when compared to its population [email protected] HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | MARCH 24, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com 07 FIRSTCOLUMN analysis No more shifting POINTCOUNTERPOINT KINDLY PARTICIPATE (DO WHAT THE VIDEO SAYS). DO OUR MEDICAL PERSONNEL MUST BE APPRECIATED. goalposts WE LOSE ANYTHING? NO. DO WE GAIN? MAYBE. BUT BUT NOT BY SPREADING SUCH UNSCIENTIFIC, AT LEAST LET’S TRY. IT’S FOR OUR OWN LIVES SUPERSTITIOUS, ‘ENERGY MEDICINE' THEORIES. As Coronavirus attacks the manufacturing sector, —ACTOR —ACTOR the Govt’s farm policy will have to be more consistent to help kickstart the economy KICCHA SUDEEP CHETAN KUMAR A system failure SANJIB POHIT The bailout given to Yes Bank, using public money, emboldens banks to continue with their n spite of the best efforts of the Government since 2014, manufac- turing growth has not picked up in the country. It is not likely to do so game plan. The Govt and the RBI must do everything to give a body blow to this attitude Iin the near future, too, due to the global economic meltdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this scenario, agriculture is expected to remain the main source of livelihood for over 50 per cent of the Indian population in the foreseeable future. Therefore, a vibrant agricultural sec- tor is vital for India’s employment and growth story. However, the Narendra Modi Government has not witnessed any significant recovery in the farm sector despite the fact that the Centre came out with numerous schemes aimed at it since 2014. Given the multiplicity of schemes and fund con- straints, priorities shift from year to year and new schemes invariably garner more funds, while old schemes flounder. Also, there is a very obvi- ous lack of research on the ground before suggesting and approving a scheme for implementation. Take for instance the river interlinking scheme UTTAM GUPTA which cost $87 billion at the time of the launch. Once interlinking of 60 of India’s largest rivers is completed, it is expected to help end farmers’ uch before the crisis at the beleaguered dependence on rainfall, bring millions of hectares of cultivable land under Yes Bank reached a flashpoint [when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on March irrigation and help generate thousands of megawatts of electricity. Even M 5, 2020, superseded its Board, appointed ex-Chief though water is listed as entry 17 in List II of the Seventh Schedule of Finance Officer (CFO) of the State Bank of India the Constitution, the NDA initiated work for linking the Betwa and Ken (SBI) as its administrator and imposed a mora- rivers which pass through Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh quickly. torium for a month on critical operations such The work is nearly complete but there is no word on when it would be as sanction of fresh loan, renewal of existing operational. In fact, no substantial fund is being allocated to start work loans, `50,000 ceiling on withdrawal of money on linking other rivers. Of course, linking of the Godavari and Cauvery per account] some depositors had already figures in the report of the Task Force of the Department of Economic sensed it coming. Affairs under National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) projects but there is They withdrew about `18,000 crore during no mention of linking of other rivers, like the mighty Brahmaputra, in the the first six months of the current year (deposits declined from `2,27,000 crore as on March 31, NIP’s vision document. 2019 to `2,09,000 crore as on September 30, Doubling the Farmers’ Income (DFI) is another scheme that was 2019); of this, `16,000 crore were withdrawn dur- launched by the Centre and in the Union Budget, the Finance Minister ing July–September, 2019 alone. Thereafter, the announced a 16-point action plan for this. It included measures to pro- withdrawals leapfrogged to `72,000 crore till the vide growers access to distant markets through trains (Kisan Rail) and moratorium came into effect on March 5, 2020, THE RBI AND THE flights (Krishi Udaan). Here, too, the plan did not take into account the the current level of deposits being `1,37,000 GOVERNMENT abundance of farmers with small and medium-sized holdings, whose crore. NEED TO CHANGE only worry is to get a remunerative price for the produce in the nearby At the core of the crisis is the surge in non- GEARS. INSTEAD market and not be exploited by traders. The DFI committee has made performing assets (NPAs) — a jargon for the OF BOLTING THE multiple recommendations for achieving its goal by 2022 but most of loans that have turned bad raising serious STABLE AFTER doubt about their recovery. As per results for the these instructions are the outcome of a top-down approach at the Union third quarter of current year, the NPAs are THE HORSES Government level, even though much of these policy decisions need to `40,000 crore. At this level, the bank was on the HAVE FLED, THEY be implemented by State Governments. Moreover, only some of these brink of collapse. Had things continued as usual, NEED TO BE recommendations pertain to particular States and these are to be iden- each one of the remaining depositors would have PROACTIVE AND bad under an external environment and controlled by the kin of the ex- jolt to the financial system. The RBI and tified after examination at the ground level, which was not undertaken in rushed to withdraw his/her money lying in the FOCUS MORE ON becoming adverse. For instance, dump- chairman and used for laundering the the Government need to change gears. the committee’s deliberations. Finally, even though committee reports bank. Given the mammoth shortfall in available ‘PREVENTIVE’ ing of steel by Chinese producers in the proceeds of corruption. From this Instead of bolting the stable after the provide estimates of the investment required for DFI, no attempt has been capital, this would have led to utter chaos. The MEASURES. THEY Indian market a couple of years back or alone, one gets an idea of the magni- horses have fled, they need to be made to sequence the fund needs. After all, given the monetary con- RBI intervention averted it. SHOULD USE withdrawal of the Generalized Scheme tude of bribe money in the deals, man- proactive and focus more on “preven- straints for investment and time limitation, the top priority should have Meanwhile, the Union Government has SURVEILLANCE of Preferences or the global economic ifold gain to the borrower (in the cited tive” measures. been to identify the most binding constraints for DFI State-wise and allo- approved a scheme for the ‘Reconstruction of Yes POWERS TO slump accentuated by the Coronavirus cases, the ratio is 6:1) and correspond- They should use surveillance pow- Bank — 2020’ under which the SBI has commit- and so on. These are all factors beyond ing loss to the bank in NPAs. There is ers to actually see things happening and cate funds accordingly. Given the fund limitation, even the Union Government ted to invest `6,050 crore for 49 per cent share- ACTUALLY SEE the control of the borrower which could no way any loss being the result of a pre-empt the chances of dubious loans has only been able to undertake a few of these recommendations. In holding and private sector banks viz. HDFC THINGS change for the better and with policy “quid pro quo” arrangement between being sanctioned — instead of waiting fact, the largest chunk, `75,000 crore, of the farm budget for 2020-21 Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank and HAPPENING support from the Government, the the bank top brass and borrower, could for the balance sheet and audit report went to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), another so on, promising to put in about `3,950 crore tak- AND PRE-EMPT stress on loan can be eased. be recovered. to be finalised. If need be, the Banking newly-launched scheme for providing cash support to farmers. ing the total capital infusion to about `10,000 THE CHANCES OF The loan given under the second Add to this, NPAs due to loans Regulation Act should be amended. Last year, the Union Government launched Jal Jeevan Mission under crore. With this, the moratorium was lifted on DUBIOUS category is potentially vulnerable as at given to Reliance Communications The Yes Bank episode clearly demon- which all rural households are expected to have piped water supply by March 18 when the new Board took over. Under LOANS BEING the time of sanctioning it, the bank sim- Limited (RCL), Jet Airways, Cox & strates that proactive regulatory inter- 2024. No doubt, it is an excellent scheme given that the rural population the new ownership and management control, SANCTIONED — ply did not bother to conduct due dili- Kings and so on. The capital loss on vention on “real time” basis is far more suffers significantly from water/vector-borne diseases. However, given whether or not, the bank will be able to stem the INSTEAD OF gence and determine whether the both these counts may well be in crucial than even governance reforms the water stress in India, it is not clear where the supply would come exodus of depositors, restore confidence and start WAITING FOR THE underlying project is viable. Still, there excess of `30,000 crore. in banks. It also shows that lowering of normal operations, one time will tell. could be an unusual chance it is able to The project ‘Reconstruction of Yes Government shareholding in public from. As one recalls, the NITI Aayog’s recently-released report argues Meanwhile, it is necessary to analyse as to BALANCE SHEET generate adequate cash flows to amor- Bank — 2020’ is an attempt to plug this sector banks to below 50 per cent or pri- that India is not only facing the worst water crisis in history, this will aggra- how the Yes Bank came to such a pass; in fact, AND AUDIT tise the loan — possibly based on an big hole created in the bank’s balance vatisation in plain words is not a vate over time. By 2030, the country’s water demand is projected to be look at the big picture as to how in a span of two REPORT TO BE implicit assumption that there was no sheet by the dubious actions of the pro- panacea for the latter’s ills. Irrespective twice the available supply, implying severe water scarcity for hundreds years, three other financial entities viz. Punjab FINALISED. IF malafide intent. moter and irregularities at the manage- of whether a bank is owned by a State of millions of people and an eventual over six per cent loss in the coun- and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank, NEED BE, THE Coming to category three, a loan ment level. To the extent, it remains or private entity, the managements are try’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Moreover, the States which would Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services BANKING given by the bank top brass with an unplugged (so far, the total commit- prone to playing with public money. be hit the hardest by the water crisis contribute to nearly 20-30 per cent (IL&FC) and Dewan Housing Finance REGULATION ACT intent of self-aggrandisement is bound ment is just about `10,000 crore; which This attitude is propelled by lack of of our agricultural output. Ideally, in view of the impending water crisis, Corporation Limited (DHFL) were pushed SHOULD BE to go junk as the person taking it has consortium members are forced to keep timely supervision on one hand and the Government should have provided more incentives to those who cul- towards bankruptcy. At a fundamental level, we AMENDED no intent of returning it. The probe cur- invested for three years, the SBI’s whole absence of punishment commensurate tivate less water-incentive crops in water-deficient States. However, no need to look at the manner in which the bank rently underway by the Enforcement contribution and private investors 75 with the crime on the other. sanctions a loan and to whom it is given name- Directorate (ED) points to several per cent), even after reconstruction, the The bailout given and that, too, such steps have been taken though the DFI committee has advocated ly, the borrower. loans given by the Yes Bank in this cat- bank will remain vulnerable. using public money (resurrection of Yes them. Since growers overuse water due to the absence of water meters Let us consider three possible scenarios viz. egory. Two such cases that have been Here, we need to recognise that the Bank involves 60 per cent of capital and free power to the farm sector, there are only two ways to tackle this First, the bank has conducted due diligence, care- widely reported include a loan of problem is systemic. All other entities infusion by the SBI which is majority- water crisis. In the short-run, provide more incentives for cultivating less fully assessed the viability of the project/venture `3,700 crore extended to DHFL in lieu (having gone bankrupt) had given owned by the Government) emboldens water-incentive crops and in the long-run, large investment should be for which loan is to be given, convinced itself of the latter returning the favour by giv- loan under the third category. For them to continue with their game undertaken to expand “per drop, more crop” schemes with increased about the credibility of the borrower and taken ing `600 crore to shell companies instance, `6,500 crore loan given by plan. It is, therefore, incumbent upon use of technology. The Government must realise that it is best to stick adequate security/collateral against the loan. owned by daughters of the ex- PMC to Housing Development and the Government and the RBI to do all to a few schemes over a period to reap their benefits. In the aftermath Second, it has granted loan in a cavalier fashion Chairman of the bank. Second is the Infrastructure Limited; tens of thou- that is necessary to give a body blow to of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that the economy will pass through without conducting due diligence and assessing loan of `1,900 crore extended to the sands of crores in dubious loans given this attitude. Otherwise, the banks a recession. Since agriculture is a vital source of livelihood, it is the respon- project viability, at best seeing in some cases, Avantha group in lieu of the benefit of by IL&FS which landed in dozens of will continue to remain vulnerable to whether or not the borrower has a licence. Third, over `300 crore given by the latter to shell companies owned by the top brass manipulation by the top management sibility of the Government to increase farm incomes as this would raise while, granting the loan, the management only the wife of the ex-Chairman for pur- of the former and so on. including by the founder/owner for demand and help kickstart the economy. looks at the gain that will accrue to it at person- chase of a posh bungalow in New Delhi. There is a lurking fear that this adding to personal riches. (The writer is Professor NCAER. The views expressed are al level under what is termed as “quid pro quo.” The agencies have reportedly could be the tip of the iceberg. In that (The writer is a New Delhi-based personal) A loan given under category one could go unravelled 78 shell companies owned scenario, we could be staring at a big policy analyst) The first line of defence in a pandemic Despite potential hazards, healthcare professionals always maintain a state of calm and readiness for performing emergency tasks during outbreaks without being concerned for their own safety or well-being

sionals. Acknowledgement of the skills such as leadership, managing attack of a deadly disease, especially data and developing the response sys- protection as well. Since they care for tal staff may be adversely affected by selfless service that the medical com- uncertainty, problem-solving, risk- as initial signs and symptoms may be tem for later reference. The doctors, both patients who are suffering from circumstances not necessarily or not munity is providing to people around taking, professional judgment and a subtle or mimic common disorders, therefore, are first to become aware Coronavirus as well as the regular directly related to the crisis, such as the world and in India by world lead- grasp of clinical situations based on prompting victims to contact their of a problem and are pivotal in ini- patients, they could inadvertently an illness or a conflict between fam- ers and citizens alike, helps to bolster a deep understanding of the area of primary care physicians. tiating and guiding the public health spread communicable agents rather ily and work commitments. During their confidence and motivates them practice. Most importantly, their In its initial stages, a contagion response. It is they, who have to quickly, especially to vulnerable an emergency of this scale, there to work with greater zeal. much-required confidence and assur- like COVID-19 may not be obvious remain vigilant about general trends members of the population. could also be the need for addition- It was heart-warming to hear all ance of survival to the patients is the as healthcare systems sometimes are and patient flow in their clinics and Therefore, in the interest of the al personnel for providing specialised the clapping and ringing of bells and most important element. not fool proof enough due to their communicate the same to the health nation, it is essential that healthcare care to meet the likely increase in VIMAL ARORA beating of drums and thalis by peo- During the last few decades, we limitations and may not always detect authorities to formulate the right professionals adequately protect numbers of patients seeking admis- ple across the country on March 22 have witnessed many disease out- suspicious patterns. In the majority strategy at the national level. themselves. In fact, all hospital per- sion to the hospital. Arrangements t a time when the COVID-19 at the behest of the Prime Minister breaks such as Severe Acute of cases, early symptoms are vague In an emergency situation doc- sonnel, including regular employees, must be made to meet such eventu- outbreak has forced most peo- to acknowledge the yeoman’s service Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and readily mistaken for more com- tors are required to go beyond their volunteers and temporary staff, alities so that there is enough time for Aple around the world to hun- being provided by the media, police, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome mon upper respiratory infections routine responsibilities. They have to should follow the highest level of per- the healthcare professionals to rest ker down and go into self-isolation, doctors, nurses, other healthcare (MERS), H1N1 flu virus (Swine Flu) such as influenza and staphylococcal carry out exhaustive jobs in a stress- sonal protection from infection and and re-energise. Provisions for req- distancing themselves from everyone workers, and so on. and Nipah virus among others. All enterotoxin B or viral gastroenteritis, ful environment as witnessed in other risks to their safety and the uisitions have to be made to the socially and professionally, there are In times like this, when social dis- these required quick responses from which take a heavy toll on a nation’s China, Italy and France which are same degree of access to occupation- armed forces for getting their person- people who are putting themselves at tancing is becoming imperative, the healthcare providers and the whole health. now the epicentres of disease spread. al health services. nel to meet emergency situations. risk and who are pulling out all stops role of doctors has again come to the world have seen how Indian doctors Depending on the agent and its Despite the potential hazards, health- Anxiety among staff confronted In these trying times when most to fight the pandemic and stall its fore and it is vital that doctors have proved their professionalism, be mode of transmission, the population care professionals always maintain a with a crisis involving the COVID- of us want to stay within our comfort deathly march across the globe. remain closer than ever before to their it on the ground in India or playing density and access to healthcare, it can state of calm and readiness for fulfill- 19, a highly contagious infectious dis- zones to beat the Coronavirus, health These soldiers in the war against patients. Their professional com- a critical role abroad. Our be days or even weeks before anyone ing the planned emergency tasks in ease, is to be expected and requires professionals are putting their armour Coronavirus are the doctors, nurses, mitment demands that doctors Government places huge faith in its can recognise the problem. As early these situations without being con- active management through per- on and attacking it with full force. Let paramedics and other healthcare remain at the beck and call of healthcare professionals and keeps response may be crucial in contain- cerned for their own safety or well- sonal protective procedures and psy- us give more power to these heroes workers who are putting their own patients. sending medical teams abroad as well. ing the problem and minimising being. Early responders, doctors, cho-social support. who will eventually save the world. lives at risk and fulfilling their duty So, what defines a doctor in these Doctors are among the first to resultant morbidity and mortality, nurses and other healthcare profes- There is also a chance that the (The writer is Chief Clinical and moral obligation like true profes- situations? No doubt it is a mix of observe patients suffering from the doctors play a vital role in recording sionals during these times require efficiency and effectiveness of hospi- Officer, Clove Dental) HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | MARCH 24, 2020 money 08

CAPSULE Xiaomi to S&P cuts India GDP growth donate N95 masks to forecast for FY21 to 5.2 pc state govts PNS n NEW DELHI Covid-19: UBS PNS n NEW DELHI NRAI asks govt for Global Ratings on Monday Smartphone maker Xiaomi financial bailout for cut its estimate for India's cuts India's FY21 will donate N95 masks and GDP growth in the fiscal start- protective suits to state gov- food service sector ing April 1 to 5.2 per cent from ernments, hospitals and New Delhi: The National its earlier estimate of 6.5 per real GDP growth police forces this week, a top Restaurant Association of cent, as it saw the outbreak of company official said on India (NRAI) on Monday said coronavirus costing economies forecast to 4 pc RBI prepones 2nd Monday. Price of N95 masks it has requested the around the globe. in India has seen around 18- government for a financial It put "the total and perma- PNS n MUMBAI fold spike and the stock is bailout package for the food nent income loss for Asia- tranche of g-sec unavailable in most parts of service sector as over 70 lakh Pacific from COVID-19 at The coron- the country due to high direct employees of the approximately USD 620 bil- avirus pan- demand, following outbreak restaurant industry are facing lion." demic and the of deadly coronavirus. a precarious situation due to "This loss will be distributed resulting lock- buying to Mar 26 "..we have imported lakhs the coronavirus outbreak. across sovereign, bank, corpo- Key policy interest rates are projected to downs on Monday of N95 masks and protective Earlier on March 18, NRAI had rate and household balance fall to 4.25 per cent in 2020-21 from led a foreign brokerage to PNS n MUMBAI suits to India. issued an advisory to all its sheets," it said but did not give current 5.15 per cent but would rise to 4.5 sharply cut India's growth fore- The first tranche We are working with all members to shut down their country-wise break up its esti- cast for the next financial year The Reserve Bank of India of OMO purchase government authorities to dine-in operations till March per cent in the 2021-21 financial year mated loss. starting April 1, to 4 per cent (RBI) on Monday said it has auction worth Rs donate these. Lakhs of N95 31, 2020 in view of the S&P said it has revised esti- from the 5.1 per cent estimated preponed the second tranche of masks will be donated serious health risk to millions mates for real GDP, inflation thereafter. S&P said a recession across earlier. In a note, UBS Securities purchase of Rs 15,000 crore of 15,000 crore will across state governments of employees and patrons in and policy interest rates for Key policy interest rates are Asia-Pacific is now guaranteed said it expects India to clock a government securities under be conducted on such as Karnataka, Punjab the food service sector due to Asia-Pacific nations. projected to fall to 4.25 per cent due to a deep first-quarter 4.8 per cent growth in FY20. open market operations March 24 and Delhi government, gov- COVID-19 outbreak in India, For India, it estimated a 5.2 in 2020-21 from current 5.15 shock in China and the shut- "For the full year, we now (OMOs) to March 26. ernment hospitals and state the association said in a per cent growth in 2020-21 per cent but would rise to 4.5 down of activities across G7 expect India's real GDP growth The OMO purchase auc- police starting this week," statement. The restaurant (April 2020 to March 2021), per cent in the 2021-21 finan- economies. to slow further to 4 per cent tion was earlier scheduled for The first tranche of OMO Xiaomi India Managing industry with an annual down from the previous esti- cial year. "S&P Global Ratings believe year-on-year in FY21 (previous- March 30. purchase auction worth Rs Director Manu Jain said in turnover of approximately Rs mate of 6.5 per cent. In the fol- "S&P Global Ratings this, together with a loss of ly 5.1 per cent)," UBS said in a "On review of current liquid- 15,000 crore will be conducted an open letter to fans and 4 lakh crore, providing direct lowing year, it projects a 6.9 per acknowledges a high degree of household and business confi- research note. ity and financial conditions, the on March 24. employees. employment to over 7 million cent growth, down from 7 per uncertainty about the rate of dence in these economies, will It can be noted that a lot of RBI has decided to advance the Last week, the RBI said it Xiaomi leads Indian Indians is in a very precarious cent earlier for 2021-22. spread and peak of the coron- translate into severe and more worries are being voiced on the second tranche of purchase of would conduct two OMO smartphone market with situation currently, fighting a grim battle for its basic For the current fiscal which avirus outbreak. Some govern- persistent supply and demand economic impact of the ongo- government securities under purchase auctions worth Rs around 28 per cent market survival, NRAI President & ends on March 31, it put the ment authorities estimate the shocks across the region. ing pandemic, which has result- OMOs for Rs 15,000 crore to 30,000 crore in two tranches in share, according to CEO and ED of deGustibus real GDP estimate at 5 per cent. pandemic will peak in June or Unemployment rates will rise." ed in over 400 Indians getting March 26, 2020," the RBI said March to provide liquidity to Counterpoint Research Hospitality Anurag Katriar It estimated a 7 per cent August, and we are using this Domestic demand will be hit infected and at least seven in a release. the market. The RBI had said report. said. growth in 2022-23 and 2023- assumption in assessing the almost everywhere by restric- deaths. Calls for a stimulus The four government bonds that with COVID-19-related 24 fiscal years. economic and credit implica- tions on movement and risk from the government and the to be bought by the RBI in the dislocations, stress in certain The inflation rate was seen tions," it said. aversion. "External spillovers RBI are also being made. auction include 8.08 per cent- financial market segments is moderating to 4.4 per cent in The rating agency said the will be felt through four chan- “The challenge for India vs its 2022; 7.68 per cent-2023; 7.27 still severe and financial con- the next fiscal from 4.7 per cent measures to contain COVID- nels - people flows -- travel, peers is starker if infections per cent-2026 and 7.17per ditions remain tight. in the current. It would further 19 have pushed the global tourism, and education; trade- spread rapidly considering the cent-2028, the release said. "Our endeavour is to ensure drop to 4.2 per cent in 2021-22 economy into recession and demand for the region's higher density of population per These bonds will be pur- that all markets segments but rise to 4.4 per cent in the could cause a surge of defaults exports; supply chains--dis- capita and weaker health infra- chased through a multi-securi- function normally with ade- following financial year and among nonfinancial corporate ruptions to production; and structure,” UBS' economist ty auction using the multiple quate liquidity and turnover," then to 4.5 per cent in the year borrowers. commodity prices." Tanvee Gupta Jain said. price method. it had said. NCLT shuts down all benches across India till March 31 VECV Sterlite Power concludes sale of 3 power New Delhi: The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) announces has closed all the benches across India till March 31, temporary projects in Brazil for USD 100 million following the COVID-19 n outbreak. However, urgent PNS NEW DELHI "Recently we divested some shutdown of our projects to marquee matters would be heard by a n single-member bench of NCLT PNS NEW DELHI Sterlite Power on Monday said developers and investors, Chennai, which would be that it has concluded divest- which reflects the high quali- presided by its Acting VE Commercial Vehicles ment of its three power trans- ty of assets in our portfolio. We President on Wednesday and (VECV) on Monday said it mission assets worth USD 100 remain committed to sustain- Friday only. “All NCLT has suspended production million in Brazil. able execution of our projects benches shall remain closed across its manufacturing The three assets, including which contribute to the expan- from March 23, 2020 to AITUC demands plants in the country till Arcoverde, Novo Estado and sion of the energy transmission March 31, 2020 for the month-end due to the coro- Pampa, have been sold to system of Brazil.” purpose of judicial work," said navirus pandemic. Investment Fund Vinci Acquired by Investment a notice issued by NCLT "In light of the unprece- Energia, ENGIE Transmissão Fund Vinci Energia, the project financial aid for poor dented situation owing to de Energia Participações, and Arcoverde in operation since Registrar on March 22. For all “unavoidable urgent matters, spread of COVID-19 and FIP Brasil Energia and CYMI May 2019 and delivered 28 n on application by the PNS NEW DELHI casual or daily earners to run various advisories shared Construções, respectively, for Acquired by Investment Fund Vinci months ahead of the schedule aggrieved, through email to their kitchens in the wake of by the government, man- a total consideration of BRL established by ANEEL (The the registry NCLT Chennai A central trade union on lockdown in more than 75 dis- agement has decided to sus- 566 million or USD 100 mil- Energia, the project Arcoverde in Brazilian Electricity Regulatory after service of notice to the Monday asked the government tricts resulting out of COVID- pend the operations at var- lion, the company said in a operation since May 2019 and delivered Agency) (August 2021). other side, the Acting to provide financial assistance to 19 spread, the union said in a ious plants starting March statement. 28 months ahead of the schedule The Sterlite Power is a President sitting singly at compensate businesses and peo- statement. The central trade 23 till March 31, 2020," It said, after these transac- global developer of power Chennai will examine and pass ple, particularly daily wagers, union pointed out that the VECV said in a regulatory tions, the company retains transmission infrastructure necessary orders on during the complete lockdown address of the Prime Minister filing. seven projects in several enterprise and is scheduled for in the north, there is Marituba with projects of over 13,315 cir- Wednesday and Friday”. in view of COVID-19 out- was too late and too little with- The company is a joint Brazilian regions, which are at final delivery this year. and in the Southeast, the com- cuit kms and 23,885 MVA in break. out any commitments on the venture between Eicher and different phases of execution. The other six are in differ- pany continues with Solaris. India and Brazil. The All India Trade Union part of the government for a Volvo Group. Vineyards, in Rio Grande ent phases of environmental Pratik Agarwal, Managing It is also the sponsor of Hero Group arm Congress (AITUC) takes a seri- necessary financial package, The closure will include do Sul, is in the advanced licensing. Passing through the Director, Sterlite Power, said IndiGrid, India's first power Rockman Industries ous note of the gloomy situation for necessary steps to be taken manufacturing facilities in phase of construction, already Northeast with Dunas, “We delivered our first project sector Infrastructure for several crores of workers to give confidence to the peo- Pithampur, Baggad, Bhopal partially energised, corre- Borborema and São Francisco. ArcoVerde in May 2019, much Investment Trust (“InvIT”), suspends all ops who are migrant, contract, ple to allay their fears. and Thane, it added. sponds to 70 per cent of the In the midwest, Goyaz, and ahead of schedule. listed on the BSE and NSE. at seven plants NEW DELHI: Rockman Industries, the auto components arm of the Hero CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK: IGL shuts 2/3rd Group, on Monday said it has suspended all operations at its outlets as seven manufacturing facilities till March-end due to Sebi further relaxes compliance norms for listed firms demand drops coronavirus outbreak. "As a PNS n NEW DELHI responsible corporate, the The regulator has extended the deadline PNS n NEW DELHI company has decided to Days after easing compliance by 45 days till June 30 for submitting half- suspend operations after the norms for listed entities with yearly financial results for NCDs, NCRPS Indraprastha Gas Ltd, the firm government's directive for regard to submission of fourth and CPs, while it has given a time period that retails CNG to automo- prevention against COVID-19," quarter and annual earnings, biles in the national capital, on Rockman Industries said in a markets regulator Sebi on of another 30 days till June 30, for filing Monday shut down nearly statement. The company, Monday further extended the annual earnings two-third of its CNG dis- which has plants at Ludhiana, relaxation to listed entities that pensing outlets in Delhi, Noida Haridwar, Bawal, Chennai, have listed their debt securities their NCDs, NCRPS and CPs, as financial results for NCDs, coronavirus pandemic, which and Ghaziabad as most vehi- Tirupati and Halol, said all such as non-convertible deben- well as municipal debt securities, NCRPS and CPs, while it has has resulted in many restrictions, cles went off-road due to coro- employees, whether tures and commercial papers. from certain compliance. given a time period of another including free movement of Moral Group told invite navirus lockdown. contractual or permanent, will In a circular, Sebi said it has The regulator has extended 30 days till June 30, for filing people, thereby hampering busi- While the company will be retained. Rockman decided to grant relaxation to the deadline by 45 days till June annual earnings. The decision nesses and day-to-day func- operate 55 outlets spread Industries employs around listed entities that have listed 30 for submitting half-yearly has been taken in the wake of the tioning of the companies. across the national capital ter- 7,200 people across its plants. claims on unpaid dues ritory to cater to limited PNS n NEW DELHI the regulator in October demand as part of the rational- 2017 had directed the firms isation exercise, its piped nat- Markets regulator Sebi has ural gas supplies will remain Asian markets sink as pandemic deaths soar directed four companies of and their senior officials to unaffected by the lockdown. Moral Group and their direc- refund the illegally However, fresh piped natur- PNS n HONG KONG tors to invite claims and com- mobilised money to al gas (PNG) connections will The global death toll from the virus has plaints from public regarding not be issued during the lock- Asian markets were hammered surged past 14,400, with nearly a billion unpaid dues for the companies' investors, and also barred down period. on Monday despite massive non-convertible debentures them from accessing "In view of the lockdown economic stimulus efforts people confined and non-essential (NCDs). announced in NCT of Delhi, businesses shut in dozens of countries securities market for four worldwide, with investors Moral Devcon Ltd, Moral years from the date of Noida, Greater Noida, spooked by the relentless and growing fears about a recession Health & Personal Care Ltd, Ghaziabad and Gurugram, march of the coronavirus pan- Moral Commotrade Ltd and completion of refunds IGL has decided to rationalise demic. Moral Infrastructure Ltd are the its services through its select The negative mood was its cash reserves, boosting its tries. Airlines have been hit companies which have been CNG stations for public fuel- fuelled by the failure of US law- share price by more than 18 per particularly hard, with isolation directed to invite claims, along the firms and their senior offi- ing."A total of 55 CNG stations makers to agree on a trillion- cent in the last hour of trade. measures shutting down routes with their directors — Arun cials to refund the illegally of IGL shall be in operation dollar emergency package to The grim trend continued and grounding fleets world- Kumar, Ajay Kumar Sharma mobilised money to investors, during the period of lockdown help the reeling American when European markets wide. and Gyaneshwar Sharma. and also barred them from from March 23, 2020, till economy. opened. In early trade, London Long-haul giant Emirates Sebi noted that the four accessing securities market for March 31, 2020, for public The global death toll from down to stop the spread of the and Seoul was down 5.5 per tumbled 4.8 per cent, Frankfurt announced a two-week sus- companies raised a total of four years from the date of com- fueling in these areas primar- the virus has surged past coronavirus. cent. Tokyo was the exception, lost 4.6 per cent and Paris was pension of all its passenger about Rs 16 crore by issuing pletion of refunds. ily to meet the requirements of 14,400, with nearly a billion The Hang Seng Index in closing two percent higher as down 4.4 per cent. flights, following a UAE gov- non-convertible debentures However, in their submis- emergency vehicles and essen- people confined and non- Hong Kong ended the day a cheaper yen against the dol- Economists and analysts are ernment directive. (NCDs) during 2010 to 2014 to sions, the firms said that they tial service vehicles," it said in essential businesses shut in down 4.9 per cent, Sydney lar boosted Japanese markets. now worried about how deep Singapore Airlines, mean- over 25,000 investors without had already paid an amount of a statement. IGL has some 155 dozens of countries and grow- dropped 5.6 per cent, Shanghai Nikkei heavyweight the impact of the pandemic while, said it would ground complying with the Companies nearly Rs 20 crore to all the self-operated CNG stations ing fears about a recession. shed 3.1 percent and Taiwan SoftBank Group said it would could be on the global econo- most of its fleet until the end Act and Issue and Listing of investors in March 2014 in the NCT. The CNG dis- Wellington nosedived 7.6 was off by 3.7 per cent. sell up to USD 41 billion in my, with social distancing mea- of April. The carrier said it was Debt Securities Regulations. through cash, and also submit- pensing operations at petrol percent as New Zealand Singapore tanked 7.5 per assets to finance a stock buy- sures and lockdowns dealing facing the greatest challenge in Accordingly, the regulator ted CDs to Sebi containing con- pumps as well as DTC depots announced a four-week lock- cent, Jakarta lost 3.8 per cent, back, reduce debt and increase serious blows to many indus- its existence. in October 2017 had directed tact details of the investors. will continue unhindered. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Tuesday March 24, 2020

As the number of Coronavirus cases are increasing with each passing day in USING ART AS A TOOL TO India, artist Narahari Maheshwaram and cartoonist Vaddepally Venkatesh are doing their bit to create awareness about the dangers of the Corona pandemic through their work, reports FIGHT COVID-19 V SATEESH REDDY overnments, doctors and the media are doing all they can to create awareness among peo- ple and requesting them G to practice social dis- tancing. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao called for a complete lockdown of the state till March 31 to prevent further spread of the virus. Taking initiative to do the same are some artists, who believe that art speaks louder than words. Artist Narahari Maheshwaram’s artwork on the recent Janata cur- few has inspired many. One of his works shows Bharat Maata wear- ing a mask to save Indians from the Corona pandemic. “People of India united and stayed indoors during the Janata curfew on Sunday. They proved that, together we can defeat the virus. In my work, I showcased people of different cultures and tra- ditions of the country wearing masks and greeting each other with a ‘Namaste’,” explains Maheshwaram. With the country now moving towards the third stage in our fight against COVID-19, it has become even more important for us to be known. toons on the Coronavirus for adhered to it. cautious. “I’m sure that in anoth- Another Hyderabad-based car- months now. This is my contribu- But the I’m sure that in another two weeks, if we, as er two weeks, if we, as a country, toonist Vaddepally Venkatesh is tion towards advising and inform- minute a country, stay indoors, practice social stay indoors, practice social dis- also using his skills to create aware- ing people, as a responsible citizen,” clocks distancing and maintain hygiene, we will I’ve been making several cartoons on the tancing and maintain hygiene, we ness about the Coronavirus. Venkatesh shares. His work is best turned 5, have defeated the virus. I hope to convey Coronavirus for months now. This is my will have defeated the virus. I Venkatesh, who also works as a known for the humour in them. “I people hope to convey this to my audience teacher, is known for his cartoons like to use a dash of humour in my were out this to my audience through my painting. contribution towards advising and through my painting,” he adds. commenting on current issues in commentary, but I ensure it does- on the informing people, as a responsible Narahari has always made art- the country. His cartoons are n’t make light of the situation I’m streets in NARAHARI MAHESHWARAM work on various social issues. His known to have inspired authorities commenting on,” he clarifies. groups ARTIST citizen. I like to use a dash of humour in works on the ‘Save Water in his locality to act on various Venkatesh has been making car- without my commentary, but I ensure it doesn’t Campaign’, Afforestation, problems. toons on the Coronavirus, right maintaining make light of the situation I’m Alcoholism and others are well “I’ve been making several car- from how it spreads to highlight- social dis- ing the importance of isolation, use tance,” he says. commenting on. Janata curfew was a of masks, sanitizers and more. “Another 10 great initiative by the Prime Minister and He’s being lauded for his efforts to days of such a most people adhered to it. But the minute WITH THE COUNTRY NOW MOVING TOWARDS make the world a better place to curfew should do live in. Venkatesh appreciated us good,” he clocks turned 5, people were out on the THE THIRD STAGE IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST people’s effort during the nation- adds. streets in groups without maintaining COVID-19, IT HAS BECOME EVEN MORE wide Janata curfew but lamented social distance. the time people came out in IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE CAUTIOUS. groups to clap for healthcare VADDEPALLY VENKATESH workers, as requested by Prime ARTIST ANOTHER 10 DAYS OF SUCH A CURFEW Minister Narendra Modi. “Janata curfew was a great initiative by the SHOULD DO US GOOD Prime Minister and most people

ing the livelihood of rural producers. This unique initiative of rural women in Mulukanoor, Warangal Urban District, Telangana, is the first time where women Pedalling into a greener future are completely managing and governing commodity-based community enterpris- es.” e seldom get to see women in the After facing societal pressure to hold field of automobiles, thanks to the back, Ramya sifted base to Vizag for a brief Chintala Ramya is stereotype that the field is meant while. Given the number of tourists who W for men alone. Breaking this very visit the place, Ramya realised she could doing her bit to stereotype is Chintala Ramya. make the most of them. Keeping them in Hyderabad-based Ramya has wowed her mind, she began work on the pedal bike. reduce pollution by naysayers by designing pollution-free “It is low in maintenance, pollution-free, vehicles with electrical Pedal Bikes and costs less and light in weight. There are It is low in maintenance, making Electrical Petrol Mopeds. If these bikes are out of electric scooters in the market, but our pollution-free, costs less and charge, they can always be pedaled back. pedal bike is different in that it has the light in weight. There are Pedal Bikes, Petrol The best part? All these sell at pretty afford- option of pedaling,” she explains. “The bike able prices. costs only Rs 29,500, gives a mileage of 40- electric scooters in the market, Mopeds and more. Speaking to The Pioneer, she says, “My 50 km and takes over 2-3 hours to reach but our pedal bike is different mother has a travel agency. Most of her full charge,” she adds. in that it has the option of She refuses to let clients told her that they are not comfort- Ramya also designed a petrol moped able to travel long distances in cars or using recycled material from old, disman- pedaling. The bike costs only societal pressure or busses and they need train kind of envi- tled bikes. “We always look for multiple Rs 29,500, gives a mileage of ronment to move freely. At that time, I options. People look to have vehicles with 40-50 km and takes over 2-3 worked on various cars and arranged low budget and good mileage. That’s how dreams of better fridges in cars for customers comfort. I I came up with petrol mopeds,” she hours to reach full charge learnt how to change cars interior beau- informs. CHINTALA RAMYA opportunities to tifully and changed the look of many cars As a result of her innovative ideas, by changing interior. I can change any car’s Ramya got opportunities to work with distract her from her design as per the customers require- international automobile companies, helps reduce the risk of accidents. Hence, ment.” field. Another drawback is that there is no Asked what inspired her to pursue this which she refused. When asked why, she the vehicles do three things: reduce sound, strife to make her When asked about the reason behind institute in Hyderabad that offers a course despite all odds, she replies, “I was inspired shares, “My strife is to make more pollu- smoke and control speed. very few women foraying into this field, in automobile designing. The fact that by Mulkanoor Diary women. The tion-free, eco-friendly vehicles to do my On being asked what’s next, Ramya motherland a better Ramya shares, “Most women are interest- women need to travel to places like Delhi Mulukanoor Women’s Mutually Aided bit to reduce pollution in the country.” The shares, “I’m now working on modifying ed in this field too, but are held back by discourages many women. Hence the Milk Producers Cooperative Union best part about these bikes is that they have vehicles to help the differently-abled and place, reports VSR societal norms that dictate that it's a man’s small number.” Limited is a successful model in promot- a maximum speed of 30 kmph, which senior citizens.” 10

Hyderabad Tuesday March 24, 2020 what’s brewing? PARTY Amy Jackson's toilet paper inspired workout ctress Amy Jackson is giving out fitness goals by showing a toilet paper-inspired work- out with son Andreas A amid coronavirus

Pooja lockdown.

l Amy didn’t let the coron- avirus lockdown get in the way of her fitness routine as she engaged in a toilet paper- inspired workout with her six- month-old son Andreas, reports dailymail.co.uk. In a playful Instagram clip, the Bollywood actress, 28, flaunted her slender frame in a sportswear as she engaged in a series of jump squats, push ups and planks with the help of toilet paper roll. Holding her baby on her lap, the star said, “So for this workout you’re going to need some very l Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan l Dr. Lakshmi special equipment. Get your loo role at the ready! He’s going to keep his eye on my form and we’re going to do some toilet roll circuits!” PHOTO EXPO Amy showed off her toned abs as she exercised in the comfort of her home while self-isolating. overnor Tamilisai Soundarajan inaugurated a photography The Supergirl star captioned the exhibition — Resilience — at the state Art Gallery recently. short video: “If we don’t laugh we’ll GThe event was attended by Minister of Prohibition and cry! Replace the loo roll with a tin of Excise, Sports and Youth Services, Tourism and Culture of beans if you’re feeling strong. Archaeology V Srinivas Goud, among other dignitaries. “Make sure you’re wearing a cute gym l Aditi Talwar, Nupur Kulkarni Artists from across the country will display their work here. outfit so you don’t look completely ridicu- lous - @aloyoga ALWAYS #THETOI- LETROLLCIRCUIT... o12 frog leap & squats o45 seconds loo roll drills o12 push ups o12 side planks (each side) o45 seconds plank X5 #selfisolation #toiletpaper #home- workout.” She made her acting debut with the 2010 Tamil movie Madrasapattinam and has featured in several Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films apart from Tamil films. Her last big release was the Rajinikanth-starrer 2.0 in 2018, which released in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu versions. Her other notable Bollywood films include Ekk Deewana Tha, Singh Is Bliing and Freaky Ali.

IN A PLAYFUL INSTAGRAM CLIP, THE BOLLYWOOD ACTRESS, 28, FLAUNTED HER SLENDER FRAME IN A SPORTSWEAR AS SHE ENGAGED IN A SERIES OF JUMP SQUATS, PUSH UPS AND PLANKS WITH THE HELP OF TOILET PAPER ROLL Deepali l

l Sushmitha l Prerana Patil l Namrata l Radha Prasad l Jovy FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. 11

Hyderabad Tuesday March 24, 2020 tollywood Amrutham... will help public to get accustomed to OTT platforms: ANASUYAANASUYA HARSHA GETSGETSGETS The sitcom's story trajectory remains the same. It will TROLLEDTROLLEDTROLLED continue to follow the antics of oon after the Amrutham and Anji as they Telangana government make attempts to succeed in announced their hotel business with their S lockdown of the state until March 31 on quirky yet funny ideas, finds Sunday evening, popu- lar TV anchor and NAGARAJ GOUD actress Anasuya Bharadwaj took to ne of the most pop- this cult following would’ve not Twitter to make a request ular sitcoms on existed. Writer and show cre- to minister KTR, seek- Telugu TV, ator Gunnam Gangaraju ing an exemption from Amrutham, will ensures that he maintains that those who need to have its second sea- emotional connect in each work to pay their o son premiere on episode. Telugu as a language monthly expenses. Ugadi, March 25 on Zee5 app. spoken by the characters as “Sir..with due respect Actor-writer Harsha Vardhan, well will be music to ears in the and will to abide by who played the lovable titular second season," he explains. the Govt..just to role in almost 200 episodes last In fact, Harsha was very throw light..consid- decade, is back to reprise the close to missing playing ering some profes- part that made his famous, Amrutham as the new season sions..if we can’t go while LB Sriram will be filling went to floors last November to work..we don’t in the shoes of late G due to a hand injury. "When I make our Hanumantha Rao as Anji. mentioned about my injury to incomes..but we Sivannarayana and Vasu Inturi (Gangaraju) sir, he told me, have to bear will be reprising their roles of 'For Amrutham to mess up, monthly manda- Gongali Appaji and Sarvam one hand is enough'. I got tory expenses respectively. Expressing his emotional with that statement like house rent, happiness on his and the of his. As I put my make-up on power bills, EMIs show’s return, Harsha Vardhan shoot day, I wasn't confident etc..request you tells us, “The first season com- because of the injury but he to consider such prises 24 episodes and we incorporated my sling into situations (sic),” have shot for seven until now. she wrote. Two episodes will drop on A well-to-do Ugadi and the subsequent actress complaining months will see four episodes about monthly expenses streaming (in total) with a gap didn’t find many takers, of 15 days among them.” especially when millions Amrutham was last aired on are going through hard popular general entertainment times. Netizens accused her channel almost 13 years ago of being insensitive to the but he admits to have not felt emergency situation the state the gap at all as he started is in, with some trolling her. shooting. He says: “It was as if She later tried to explain I was shooting it a day before her position clearly. “When I yesterday, took a break yester- said “we” I meant to speak for day and resumed today again. all those who fall under daily Other cast members too work payees.. irrespective of echoed a similar feeling. Only what profession and the statis- after we saw the first two tics of the incomes because the episodes with all post-produc- expenditures are according to tion touches in place, did we the incomes.. which part of it get teary-eyed. Our collective was difficult to understand feeling was ‘did we do it again?’.” (sic),” she tweeted further. Harsha believes it was the However, the trolling contin- healthy comedy and the char- ued, leaving her no option but acterisations that made to block a number of users on Amrutham win the hearts of Twitter and Instagram. So much Telugu television audiences. so that her “fingers started “We never used regular words paining”! like thokka, bokka in it ever. Plus, the four principal charac- ters Amrutham, Anji, Appaji the story. There was no stop- Amrutham and Anji as they the majority of the portions. ever you please. Yes, I do and Sarvam have penetrated ping from thereon. I've even make attempts to succeed in The characters and their quirks believe rural folks will have into the minds of the viewers. directed the fourth and fifth their hotel business with their will be the same,” he clarifies. some complains, but I’m sure The characters are those typi- episodes of the show,” he quirky yet funny ideas. “It While the earlier episodes change is around the corner. cal four people you encounter shares, adding that he when he will have the same flavor have been aired on television, It’s all about getting used to in your daily life. Despite dol- couldn’t do the feature film because if we change some- Amrutham Dvitheeyam has new mediums. If they are lops of humour, the great Amrutham — Chandamamo thing, there are chances for us got a new address. He isn’t interested about Amrutham aspect of the show is the under- Lo, which Gunnam directed, to lose connect with our core worried about the OTT plat- Dvitheeyam, they will find current emotion that resonat- due to varied reasons; he viewers. However, back then form alienating his core view- ways to watch it. The show will ed with viewers. If there was no understood how much people we shot in a compact budget, ers, as many viewers from help public to get accustomed emotion, the show wouldn’t missed him as Amrutham. erecting the Amrutha Vilas set rural areas still don’t subscribe to OTT platforms. There is a have been the phenomena that The sitcom’s story trajecto- in an office. Now, we’ve made to such new mediums. “Unlike certain nostalgia attached to it it turned out to be. Yes, it ry remains the same. It will it bigger. A huge set was erect- in TV, you can watch the and I’m sure it will weave would’ve induced humour but continue to follow the antics of ed at Ramanaidu Studios for show on web platforms when- magic again,” he ends. Rajasekhar and Prakash Tamil and Telugu 1414 ReelsReels filmmaker Visu Raj's kind gesture passes away stand together. #jus- PlusPlus joinsjoins tasking ... looked into oted Tamil screen writer, director my reserve funds. Paid and actor Visu, who was battling advance salaries to kidney related ailment, died on empower all my farm .. Mahesh'sMahesh's nextnext Sunday in Chennai. house .. film produc- The 74-year old, noted for his tion .foundation and N witty dialogues in movies, includ- Personel staff up to the ike his earlier venture Sarileru ing 1981 blockbuster and Rajinikanth starrer month of MAY... Neekevvaru, Mahesh Babu’s next Thillu Mullu, is survived by wife and three finalised a way to give with Parasuram will be a joint pro- daughters. at least half salaries to duction of sorts between two pre- Visu collapsed after falling down when he daily wage workers of L mier production houses Mythri came out of the my three films stopped Movie Makers and 14 Reels Plus. While restroom in his due to social distancing Mythri has set up the project, 14 Reels Plus house at about .. I’m not done yet .. made its way as a partner, we hear. 4 pm and was will continue to do A source chips in, “Parasuram was commit- rushed to a pri- more with what I can ted to make his next for 14 Reels with Naga vate hospital afford .. request each Chaitanya in the lead. An announcement to this where doctors one of you who can end too was made officially sometime ago. In declared him afford to help needy the meanwhile, Mahesh’s project with Vamshi dead after tak- around you... time to Paidipally was called off and as he was on the ing an ECG. He give back to life.. time lookout for a director, Mythri, which paid an had a cardiac to stand by one anoth- advance amount to Parasuram a couple of years arrest. ith the er.” (sic),” he wrote on ago have sent him to Mahesh. While the actor His last rites entire state Twitter after observing has endorsed the script, 14 Reel wasn’t letting and cremation in a lock- Janatha Curfew on the director go as he was contractually bound took place on down, actor Sunday. to make his next for them. Mahesh, on the other Monday. Prakash Actor Rajasekhar hand, was favouring Mythri. Finally, after mul- Visu is W Raj, who is too decided to help tiple rounds of deliberations, both the produc- renowned for known for his social out his fraternity. He tion houses have agreed to produce the film his family ori- initiatives, has decided announced to supply jointly, lest the pre-production will be delayed ented subjects in movies like Samsaram Adhu to pay employees basic essentials for eco- further. Mythri will execute the project, with Minsaram which was a hit movie. His film working at his produc- nomically poor artistes 14 Reels set to provide the financial support as Neenga Nalla Irukkanum won the National tion house, home, farm for the next 10 days and when required. Mahesh’s home banner Award for the Best film on other social issues and foundation in through Rajashekar GMB will present the film.” in 1992. He has written and directed a Telugu advance up to the Charitable Trust. Parasuram is looking to start the film in June- film Aadade Adharam, which received month of May. Those who want to end or in July. immense appreciation. He even played a sup- “#JanathaCurfew .. avail the service can porting role in ANR-starrer Godfather (1995). what I did today .. let’s reach out to Naveen on His talk shows in private television channels give back to life .. let’s 9010810140. in Tamil were also popular. HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | MARCH 24, 2020 sport 12 Olympic postponement may be ‘inevitable’: Japan’s PM Aus tells athletes to prepare for 2021

Canada urges Tokyo Games delay, won’t send team in July AFP n MONTREAL more important than the health and safety of our athletes anadian Olympic offi- and the world community,” the AOC CEO Matt Carroll address media @AUSOlympicTeam/Twitter cials on Sunday urged COC and CPC said. AFP n SYDNEY Cpostponement of the “This is not solely about Tokyo Games, saying that in athlete health — it is about ustralian Olympic officials said on Monday “it was clear” view of the coronavirus pan- public health,” their statement Athe Tokyo Games could not go ahead as scheduled this demic they won’t send a team added. “With COVID-19 and year and told its athletes to instead prepare for the event in in the summer of 2020. the associated risks, it is not 2021. “The Canadian Olympic safe for our athletes, and the The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) convened a Committee (COC) and health and safety of their fam- board meeting on Monday and unanimously decided a Games Canadian Paralympic ilies and the broader Canadian starting in July was not possible given the uncertainty around Committee (CPC), backed by community for athletes to the pandemic. their Athletes’ Commissions, continue training towards “It’s clear the Games can’t be held in July,” Australian chef National Sports Organizations these Games. de mission Ian Chesterman said. and the Government of “In fact, it runs counter to Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks at a parliamentary session in Tokyo on Monday AP “Our athletes have been magnificent in their positive atti- Canada, have made the diffi- the public health advice which tude to training and preparing, but the stress and uncertain- cult decision to not send we urge all Canadians to fol- AFP n TOKYO ty has been extremely challenging for them.” Canadian teams to the low.” AOC chief executive Matt Carroll said athletes needed Olympic and Paralympic Bach said the IOC was ostponing the Olympics Will wait & watch for a month certainty, and they must also prioritise their health and that Games in the summer of considering “different scenar- over the coronavirus pan- of their families. 2020,” the COC said in a state- ios,” adding that complete can- Pdemic may become The board meeting decided an Australian team “could not ment that ratchets up the pres- cellation of the games was not “inevitable”, Japan’s prime min- be assembled in the changing circumstances at home and sure on the International among them. ister conceded on Monday, after before any decision: IOA abroad” and they should now plan for an Olympics in the Olympic Committee to post- “We are thankful to the the International Olympic PTI n NEW DELHI northern hemisphere summer next year. pone the Games scheduled to IOC for its assurance that it will Committee said a delay was “We have athletes based overseas, training at central loca- start on July 24. not be cancelling the Tokyo being considered as pressure he Indian Olympic tions around Australia as teams and managing their own pro- IOC president Thomas 2020 Games and appreciative grows from athletes and sports TAssociation on grammes. With travel and other restrictions this becomes an Bach said a decision on when that it understands the impor- bodies. Monday said it will “wait untenable situation,” he said. the Games would take place tance of accelerating its deci- The comments from Shinzo and watch” for at least a “The IOC had adopted the key principles of putting ath- would be made “within the sion-making regarding a pos- Abe were his first acknowledge- month before taking any lete health first and ensuring it acted in their best interests next four weeks.” sible postponement,” the ment that the 2020 Games may call on Tokyo Olympics and the interests of sport. This decision reflects those prin- Canadian Olympic and Canadian statement said. not open as scheduled on July participation. ciples. Paralympic authorities, howev- “We also applaud the IOC 24. “Being the head of “We are now in a position where we can plan with greater er, said they wouldn’t wait for acknowledging that safe- For weeks, Japan and IOA, the health and well certainty.” that long, urging the IOC to guarding the health and well- Olympic officials have held the being of our athletes and Chesterman said postponing the Games until next year postpone the Games for one ness of nations. line that preparations are mov- officials are of prime con- “will allow athletes from around the world to properly pre- year while offering “our full “We remain hopeful that ing ahead to hold the Games as cern to me,” IOA President pare with the hope the coronavirus crisis will be under con- support in helping navigate all the IOC and IPC will agree scheduled, but there has been Narinder Batra said. A man stands in front of a countdown display for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and trol”. the complexities that resched- with the decision to postpone increasing pressure from sports “Whatever decisions Paralympics in Tokyo on Monday AP “We are aware that for many such a postponement will uling the Games will bring. the Games as a part of our col- federations and athletes whose the IOA takes will be for present a range of new issues. But when the world does come “While we recognize the lective responsibility to protect training has been thrown into the welfare of our athletes. together at the Tokyo Olympic Games they can be a true cel- inherent complexities around our communities and work to turmoil. But right now we are just IOC sought update on health & ebration of sport and humanity,” he said. a postponement, nothing is contain the spread of the virus.” On Monday, Abe told par- waiting and monitoring liament that Japan was still the situation on a daily preparations of Olympic-bound athletes committed to hosting a “com- basis. PTI n NEW DELHI letes’ preparation. plete” Games, but added: “If that “I assure the people “I am personally in touch Fate of Olympic torch becomes difficult, in light of that we won’t let anyone ndian Olympic Association on regular and continuous Skinner attacks IOC chief considering athletes first, it may down and our decisions IPresident Narinder Batra on basis with Sports Ministry, relay hangs in balance AFP n LONDON become inevitable that we make will be in the best interest Monday said the IOC has Sports Authority of India, IOC, AFP n TOKYO a decision to postpone.” of our athletes,” he added. asked all members to furnish NSFs, with athletes through ritish track cyclist Callum Skinner has “Cancellation is not an IOA Secretary General updates on health and prepa- the NSFs and all stake holders he Olympic torch relay, Blabelled International Olympic Committee option,” Abe said, echoing com- Rajeev Mehta put a time- rations of their Olympic- regarding the 2020 Olympics Tdue to begin on Thursday president Thomas Bach “arrogant” and “stub- ments from IOC chief Thomas line to this wait and watch bound athletes this week as it and preparations for from a symbolic site in born” over the organisation’s approach to the Bach, who ruled out scrapping approach, saying it would deliberates on the fate of the Olympics,” Batra said. Fukushima, will proceed as coronavirus pandemic. the Games, saying it “would not be at least a month before Tokyo Games. “All NOCs have to get scheduled but organisers said Skinner, who won Gold and Silver medals solve any problem and would anything is decided. The International Olympic back to IOC this week on they would re-assess in the at the 2016 Olympics and is a member of the help nobody”. “We will wait and Committee (IOC), has asked their preparations and the coming days given the “wors- British Olympic Association’s (BOA) athletes’ The IOC has also shifted its watch for 4 to 5 weeks and National Olympic Committees health of athletes in their ening” coronavirus situation. commission, was scathing about Bach in a position on the Games, issuing then come to any decision (NOCs) to detail the impact of respective countries,” he “The torch relay will start social media post on Monday. a statement on Sunday saying it after consultation with the the coronavirus crisis on ath- added. on March 26 in Fukushima, “IOC president Thomas Bach’s stubborn- was stepping up planning for International Olympic the plan has not changed,” ness and arrogance has spectacularly failed in different scenarios, including Committee and the sports asked if India is also contem- ical and the govt cannot react Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro this instance and he has weakened the postponement. ministry,” Mehta said. plating acting on the lines of to hypothetical questions,” he Muto told reporters. Olympic movement,” Skinner wrote on It said it would hold “The situation is not Canada, Sports Secretary said. “The situ- Twitter. going to be postponed anyway!!!" “detailed discussions” on the that bad in our country as Radhey Shyam Julaniya said the “We are not in consultation ation is getting “This isn’t the first time he has put his own Meanwhile a spokesman for Boris Johnson, “worldwide health situation and compared to other ministry is not in consultation with anyone right now. The worse and motives above the athletes and the move- the British Prime Minister, urged the IOC to its impact on the Olympic nations,” he added. with anyone at the moment. ministry can’t keep giving advi- worse,” admit- ment.” resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Games, including the scenario When contacted and “Your question is hypothet- sories,” Julaniya added. ted Muto, but British sprint star Dina Asher-Smith, who “Athletes are facing significant uncertain- of postponement”. A decision he added: “For won the 200 metres world title last year, said ty in the current environment... We want the should come “within the next now, the deci- the IOC’s delay created further uncertainty for International Olympic Committee to make a four weeks”, the body added. But the IOC warned that packed international sports cal- Games, and has come under sion made one competitors. definitive decision soon, to bring clarity to all “Human lives take prece- the logistics of postponing the endar. increasing pressure as the coro- week ago (to “So wait... Does this mean that athletes of those involved,” the spokesman said. dence over everything, includ- Games were extremely compli- “These are just a few of navirus crisis grows. proceed as face up to another FOUR weeks of finding “The sports minister, Nigel Huddleston, ing the staging of the Games,” cated, with venues potentially many, many more challenges.” The idea of holding the planned) is still ways to fit in training — whilst potentially set out yesterday (Sunday) that the IOC should Bach wrote in an open letter to unavailable, millions of hotel The IOC is responsible for Games on schedule has drawn appropriate.” putting ourselves, coaches, support staff and be seriously considering postponing the athletes. nights already booked and a making any final decision on the a swelling chorus of objections. loved ones at risk just to find out they were games.” KL ‘right fit’ for No 5 in ODIs PTI n MUMBAI AFI confirms postponement of Fed Cup C'ships La Liga suspended indefinitely PTI n NEW DELHI Prix series, was reported on which was to serve as a better. ormer India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar says AFP n MADRID in the top two divisions will A joint statement from La Thursday and AFI made qualifying event of the “As of now, we have not Fyoung batsman K L Rahul is most suitable for only resume when the Liga and the RFEF read: “The he Athletics Federation the official announcement Tokyo Olympics, was discussed what will be the the number five position in the batting order in rofessional football in Spanish government decide Monitoring Commission Tof India (AFI) on on Monday. scheduled to be held from new dates for Indian Grand the ODIs but suggested that the team manage- PSpain will remain sus- there is no longer any established by the current Monday officially “The competition April 10-13 at NIS Patiala. Prix competitions and ment must look for batsmen like Suresh Raina and pended until further health risk. RFEF-La Liga Coordination announced the postpone- committee of AFI on AFI President Adille Federation Cup.” Yuvraj Singh. notice to limit the Fixtures had pre- Agreement agrees the suspen- ment of the Federation Monday decided to post- Sumariwalla said, “Looking Earlier, AFI had to KL Rahul had batted in the middle-order in spread of coronavirus, viously been sus- sion of professional football Cup National Senior pone the 24th Federation at the present situation in postpone its season-open- the home ODIs against Australia in January ear- La Liga and the pended for two competitions until the author- Championships to be held Cup National Senior the country and around the er Indian Grand Prix lier this year with success. He later continued his Spanish Football weeks from March ities of the Government of next month in view of the Athletics Championships world, hosting any compe- series which was sched- fine form in the limited-overs series in New Federation (RFEF) 12 but there was no Spain and the General COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 due to the outbreak of tition is difficult. Health uled to be held at three dif- Zealand. Of late, the Karnataka player has also announced on expectation they Administration of the State The postponement of coronavirus (COVID-19) and safety of everyone ferent venues — Patiala been keeping wickets in the 50-over games. Monday. would restart this consider they can be resumed the championships, as well pandemic,” the AFI said in comes first and we can (March 20), Sangrur Manjrekar, who played 37 tests and 74 ODIs, La Liga and the weekend, with the crisis without creating any health as the cancellation of sea- a release. resume the competitions (March 25) and New Delhi was responding to questions from fans after he RFEF said matches continuing to escalate. risk.” son-opening Indian Grand The Federation Cup, once things start getting (March 29). asked them “talk cricket” with him on his Twitter page. He was asked whether India should stick with Rahul at number five in ODIs and does he find other batsmen other than Rahul to be No F1 race until mid-June Infantino eyes reboot for football to avoid crisis in that position. BAKU: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix GENEVA: The future of football FIFA president said. “Let’s all are already too few dates in the To which, Manjrekar, also a was postponed on Monday because could be fewer games and fewer together save football from a cri- FIFA-managed calendar to com- known commentator, tweeted, of the coronavirus outbreak, delay- top competitions to help avoid a sis that risks becoming irre- plete the scheduled qualification “For the moment he is the right ing the start of the Formula One financial crisis, FIFA president versible.” paths for the 2022 World Cup in fit. But we must keep looking for season until the middle of June Gianni Infantino said in a news- Infantino said different for- Qatar. a Raina and Yuvi kind of bats- at the earliest. paper interview published on mats could be an answer, with The pressure now on football man when Rahul eventually The first eight races of the Monday. “fewer, but more interesting tour- stakeholders — many with con- moves to the top.” 2020 season have now been either would be announced for later in the With football around the naments. Maybe fewer squads, but flicting interests — is likely to force Yuvraj, who played 304 postponed or canceled. season. world in near-total shutdown and more balance. Fewer, but more a debate on the squeezed sched- ODIs for India, scored 8,701 The race at the Baku City F1 races have been staged in no end in sight because of the competitive, matches to safeguard ule that the pandemic has exposed. runs while Raina amassed 5,615 Circuit was scheduled for June 7 but Azerbaijan since 2017. coronavirus pandemic, Infantino the health of the players.” Some influential clubs in runs from 226 ODIs. has been called off after discussions The next race scheduled after said the sport risked going into Before the pandemic, Europe are pushing to get more The former Mumbai bats- between governing body FIA and Azerbaijan is in Canada on June 14. recession. Infantino added to the congested guaranteed games in a bigger man was also asked who he the local government. The season is scheduled to end “Maybe we can reform world football calendar by expanding the Champions League, and 20-team thinks was the right choice for “This comes as a direct result of with the Abu Dhabi GP on Nov 29, football by taking a step back,” World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for South American football body top leagues could be under pres- number four and all- the ongoing global COVID-19 pan- but could be extended to fit some Infantino said in the interview the 2026 edition, and by trying to CONMEBOL postponed their sure to make cuts. Those include rounder’s spot in the T20 demic and has been based entirely postponed races in. with Italian daily Gazzetta dello launch a 24-team Club World Cup championships by one year to leagues in England, Spain and Italy. World Cup to be held in on the expert guidance provided to A total of eight races with 12 Sport published on his 50th birth- next year. 2021. That was to give domestic “It’s not science fiction. Let’s Australia. Manjrekar picked us by the relevant authorities,” cars must be completed for the day. The inaugural edition of the leagues time to try to finish their discuss it,” Infantino said about the Shreyas Iyer and Hardik organizers said in a statement. championship to be validated, FIA “There needs to be an evalu- latter tournament in China was seasons. possibility of changing football cal- Pandya respectively. They said a new race date has said. AP ation of the global impact,” the delayed last week after UEFA and The shutdown means there endars. AP