Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 27

Chandigarh reported a new coronavirus case on Friday, an official said—the eighth case in the city.

UT Adviser Manoj Parida said in a tweet that authorities were trying to track down the people who might have come in contact with the person, who travelled to Dubai recently.

The latest case was a 22-year-old man from Sector 30 in Chandigarh who returned from Dubai on March 11. He developed fever on March 25, the 15th day of his return—considered unusual for the virus, which usually has an incubation period of between 2 and 14 days.

“Bad news, one new corona positive case in Chandigarh. Dubai returned.  Symptoms detection on 15th day. Unusual. Tracing his contacts. All will be quarantined,” Parida said in a tweet.

A press release by Chandigarh’s Department of Public Relations said that the patient was admitted to GMCH 32 on March 25. Health Department then tracked down 57 of his contacts—both primary, incluing his family, and secondary—and put them under home quarantine.

This number includes his mother, who the press release says is a “high-risk contact”.

High risk people in terms of this disease are either the elderly or people with pre-existing health conditions.

He’s been kept in an isolation ward and is “totally asymptomatic and fully stable”, the release said.

This brings Chandigarh’s coronavirus tally to eight. Seven people were  previously tested positive for the global pandemic that has wreaked havoc across the world.

India’s coronavirus tally has crossed 700, with 17 deaths. Chandigarh is under curfew to prevent spread of the disease.

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 25

Extending help to vagabonds, poor and needy people, Chandigarh Police personnel have come forward to provide them food during these hard days when they have nowhere to go. Various SHOs in Chandigarh are identifying such people in the area of their police stations to provide all possible help during the curfew imposed in the city.

A team of the Industrial Area police station, led by the SHO, Inspector Jasbir Singh, visited a 38-year-old visually impaired man, identified as Billu, a native of Bihar, who has been living under a tree in Sector 29 for the past two years.

Billu, an alumnus of Panjab University, is an MA and BEd, and has no one to take care of him.

Inspector Jasbir said he would be taking care of Billu by providing him food till the time the situation in the city returns to normalcy.

The police today got his hands sanitised and also got his surroundings cleaned.

A similar initiative has been taken by Inspector Narinder Patial, SHO of the Sector 26 police station.

Inspector Patial has identified eight persons living either in the market corridors or in the open, who are being provided food.

“On the first day, food was provided twice to five persons. However, today the number has increased to eight and I will look for more such people to extend help to them,” Inspector Patial said.

Interestingly, the food for these people is cooked by Patial’s wife Sonia. “I don’t feel any burden of cooking food for so many people. In fact, I am ready to help more people in the time of need,” she said.

Needy people at Sarangpur were also distributed food by the SHO, Inspector Ram Rattan.

A police official said these people were also provided masks and their hands were sanitised.

Meanwhile, other cops are also taking other initiatives at their end to ensure the safety of city residents from Covid.

In one such effort, newspaper vendors in Mani Majra were also provided masks and hand sanitisers by the SHO, Mani Majra, Inspector Jaswinder Kaur.

Dear Veterans ,

  Number of ESM organisations have again started fooling ESM and asking for donations into their accounts , directly on whats app, emails or through face book.

We all are aware that every ESM had donated during our fight for OROP either by cash,cheques,or spending from pockets for the buses. The total amount collected was  more than cores of Ruppees but till today no one knows where is that amount , how much collected in cash, by cheques and recieved from NRIs.

We equally know about the great threat of Cronavirus looming over our heads ,rather entire India and World. You can adopt any of the following way to contribute  financially so that it does not go in wrong hands.Though your motive is to help out no guarantee in whose pocket it will go as happened in the past

1. Send your cheques in favor of  Indian Govt ” Prime Minister Relief Fund” or to your own state  Govt” Chief Minster Relief Fund” to obtain satisfaction. All States are having CM Relief Funds like for Punjab CM Fund as below . Can be directly deposited . 

PRIME MINISTER RELIEF FUND OPEN CHALLAN FOR BELOW

PMNRF-CONTRIBUTION-CHALLAN_20190410112456

3.   PLEASE DON’T DONATE CASH TO ANY BODY IT IS ALSO SUGGESTED TO BUY IN KIND AND DISTRIBUTE TO POOR AND NEEDY : 

(A) MASKS

(B) MEDICINE AS PER PATIENTS PRESCRIPTION

(C) GREEN VEGETABLES FOR POOR

(D) FRUITS FOR THE SICK

(E) ATTA ,DAL, RICE, SALT, SUGAR,TEA ,MILK ETC AS YOUR WISH

HOWEVER DONATIONS FROM ABROAD CANNOT BE RECEIVED AS TRANSACTIONS ARE BANNED 

4. ONE OF THE MESSAGE BEING FLOATED ON FACE BOOK BY AN ESM ORGANISATION WHICH DE-FRAGMENTED ITSELF FROM ALL ESM ORGANISATION  AS OTHERS WANTED  ACCOUNTS OF DONATIONS COLLECTED IN CRORES.TODAY AGAIN AT ITS BEST TO HELP THE NATION LIKE AFTER RECIEVING  OROP DONATIONS

— 

Without masks, the contractual sanitation workers of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) are being forced to use handkerchiefs and dupattas to cover their faces to stay ‘safe’ amid the spread of coronavirus in the city.

The workers’ union has been taking up the issue with the administration since the first few cases started being reported in the country. They have been demanding that a good quality face mask should be provided to the 3,000 safai karamcharis and attendants working at PGIMER.

Now, the workers have decided that since the time of crisis is here and the administration is not cooperating, men must cover their faces with handkerchiefs and female workers should use dupattas to avoid infections.

“First, we decided to sit on a dharna outside wards if proper protection gear is not provided to us. But, at a time when every individual is working to fight the disease, we cannot sit back and escape from our duties. Even though they (administration) are not listening to our genuine demands, we do not want to create any obstruction in rendering health care services,” said Shripal, general secretary of PGIMER’s Safai Karamchari Union.

Workers’ body anticipates devastating consequences

In a video message circulated among workers, the members of the union said they are trying to warn the higher-ups about the devastating consequences if even one person among them gets infected.

“We are not directly dealing with the patients. But we clean everything the patient touches. We are in a clinical setting all the time and at as much risk as a doctor or a nurse. Our situation is a prime example of how deep discrimination is rooted in our society,” Shripal added.

As for the reasons for delay in accepting their demands, union members said they are being told they are not dealing with the situation directly. “We are the same people who work in people’s homes as domestic help. Even in the times of curfew, people call us up for household work. Aren’t we at a risk of being infected or being carriers? People at the helm should be aware of this situation,” said Shripal.

Mandatory becomes optional

Earlier, he said, if a worker was seen working in any ward without gloves or masks, they would be penalised. The mandatory has now become optional, he added.

When contacted, Dr Jagat Ram, director of PGIMER, said necessary gear has been provided to the staff at the frontline for now, and they are in the process of providing adequate gear to the people not directly linked with Covid-19 operations.

“The people who require it the most have been provided for. People working in other areas will also be provided the necessary equipment soon,” said the director.

People struggle to get their hands on food packets, while completing forgetting social distancing, the primary objective of curfew; several return empty handed

Even as supply of vegetables and milk improved gradually in sectors, people from the economically weaker sections struggled with erratic supplies, with many swarming near vendors and supply trucks, inviting infection risk in a city under curfew for the third day to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Food packets to the poor promised by the UT administration did not reach parts of the city’s labour and slum colonies, checks with people there revealed.

The situation in Dhanas turned tense as police were called in to disperse a crowd of over 200 gathered in a colony park after a local political promised to distribute free food.

Social distancing was impossible in a colony where more than 50,000 people lived in 8,400 cramped housing units, said Prem Pal Chouhan, president of the Dhanas Rehabilitated Colony Welfare Association.

No grocery or vegetables reached the area. “I dialled one vendor as per the UT list but he replied he had not been given a vehicle for distribution of essentials,” Chauhan added.

“On top of that, some politicians are luring crowds by promising them free rice and sugar. Is this how we will stem the coronavirus threat?” he asked.

Distribution vehicles mobbed

Supplies organised by the administration were not enough for crowds that virtually mobbed two trucks in Dadumajra to get the Rs 750 packages, each containing 10 kg flour, some pulses and spices for colonies.

Area councillor Farmilla said the trucks were sent after she made repeated calls to MC officials, but people forgot about social distancing and crowded around the vehicles, stripping them bare in minutes.

“A majority were left empty handed. This kind of distribution is very dangerous. I urge the UT to keep chemist and grocery stores open in peripheries and allow only one person per home to buy essentials,” she said

Local shops closed

Many poor families went hungry as police didn’t allow local shops to open in Mauli Jagran near Manimajra.

People did not get essentials such as flour and sugar for two to three days, said local resident Mukesh Rai.

None of the shops have stock. “The administration should give shopkeepers passes so that they can restock their shops and feed people,” Rai said.

Former mayor Rajesh Kalia, who represents Maloya colony, urged the administration to focus more on distribution.

Police had to be called to control the crowds in the Makhan Majra labour colony, many of them who had been unable to earn anything in the last few days. Shashi Shankar Tewari, a senior Congress leader active in colonies, said thousands of daily wagers had no money to feed their families and UT’s free ration was not reaching them.

He asked the administration to engage NGOs and religious organisations to distribute free food over there.

Blaming the BJP for the mismanagement on the ground, Congress local president Pardeep Chhabra said, “We do understand that things are not smooth during the lockdown but it is unfair that the poor sleep on empty stomachs.”

BJP local president Arun Sood said that Congress should not play politics, adding, “Our workers are helping in distribution and coordinating with the UT administration to streamline the system.”

MC commissioner KK Yadav was not available for comments despite repeated attempts

TROUBLE SPOTS

Local milk producers not getting feed for cattle that can affect milk supply and starvation of animals

People going cashless as ATM are closed and mobile ATMs are not covering all spots

Officers keeping their mobile switched off, adding to the woes of the residents

Closed flour mills could mean shortage of flour in the near future

Sanitisation not being done near homes people in quarantine

Though social distancing is crucial in the fight against coronavirus, that seems to be the last thing on the Chandigarh municipal corporation’s mind.

On Thursday, a large number of vendors were seen assembled at MC’s office in Sector 17 for curfew passes, having long forgotten the Prime Minister’s appeal to maintain social distancing.

Most of them sat outside the building in close contact for over half a day, waiting for passes to sell essentials. A similar crowd was seen outside the DC office in Sector 17.

While vendors rued the long delays in approvals with many even being sent home without passes, there was apparently no system in place to manage the crowd despite clear instructions of social distancing.

City Forum of Residents Welfare Organisations (CFORWO) convener Vinod Vashisht said, “Why is MC allowing them to gather at one place? There is lack of planning, which exposes MC’s inefficacy. Home delivery system is not working at all. Bigger districts are doing far better than a tiny Chandigarh.”

MC executive engineer Ajay Garg, nodal officer for vegetable and fruits distribution, said he was not aware of the crowd outside the office. “They probably came for grocery passes but I am not handling that,” he said.

Uma Shanker Gupta, the one in-charge of granting passes for groceries, was unavailable for comments.

Kanta, 50, who sells goods at Ram Darbar, said the police stopped her on Sunday and asked her to get a pass. “I initially went to the DC office from where I was sent to the MC office. I came here as early as 7am, but no one is helping me,” she said.

Another woman standing nearby said they had been standing in the crowd for hours, putting their lives at risk, but the officials sitting in the MC office were least concerned.

“I am not allowed to open my shop in Mauli Jgran for the last two days. People in the area are banking on me, but police are not allowing me to open the shop without a pass. Where should I go?” she asked.

Meanwhile, there were also reports that the MC’s internal staff was busy giving passes to those known to them.

MC enforcement sub-inspectors were even seen filling the forms of people known to them while ignoring the claims of other sitting for hours. Ram Chand from Indira Colony said it was unfair. “I live hand to mouth. Ever since the curfew has been imposed, I have not earned much. How will I sustain my family?” he asked.

Coronavirus cases in the country have seen a sharp rise in the month of March. The virus has infected more than 700 people across the country, while 17 people have succumbed to death. Over 60 people have made a recovery and have been discharged across the nation. Maharashtra and Kerala remain the top two worst coronavirus-hit states in the country.

Here’s a look at the statewise tally of Covid-cases, deaths and recoveries in India.

Kerala

The southern state has 137 positive cases of coronavirus as per the latest data by the Ministry of Health. The state hasn’t witnessed any Covid-19 death yet. 11 people have successfully recovered.

“This is the time for youth to shoulder responsibility. We are planning a volunteer force of 2 lakh members. Food supply to hospital work they will be trained. Their expenses will be met by local and civic bodies,” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday.

Maharashtra

With 130 Covid-19 cases, Maharashtra is one of the worst hit states by Covid-19 infection. The state has registered four coronavirus deaths so far while 15 patients have been recovered and released.

Karnataka

The state has recorded 55 Covid-19 cases and two deaths. Three people have been cured and discharged.

Telangana

45 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported here so far. One person has made a recovery from the virus while no one has died of Covid-19 in the state.

Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state has registered 43 coronavirus cases and no recoveries so far. As many as 3 people have died from the infection in the state.

Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh

Both states have 41 positive cases of coronavirus. While 11 people have recovered from Covid-19 in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan has seen three people get better and discharged.

Delhi

As many as 36 people have been tested positive of coronavirus in the national capital. One person has died from the infection while 6 people have made a recovery.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged citizens not to step out of their homes and has assured that no one will go to sleep on an empty stomach. He also assured a smooth supply of all essential commodities across the National Capital Territory.

Haryana and Punjab

The neighbouring states have 30 and 33 Covid-19 cases respectively. While one person has died of coronavirus in Punjab, Haryana has seen no deaths. 11 people have been recovered from coronavirus in Haryana.

Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh

The southern state has registered 29 Covid-19 cases and one recovery. Madhya Pradesh closely follows with 20 positive cases of coronavirus in the state. Both states have registered one death each.

Besides this, Jammu and Kashmir has 13 positive cases of coronavirus. One person has died from the infection while one was cured. Andhra Pradesh has 12 positive Covid-19 and one recovery cases while West Bengal has 10 people who tested positive for the infection with one death.

In Chandigarh, 7 people were found infected from Covid-19. Chhattisgarh and Bihar have recorded 6 cases each with one death in Bihar.

Uttarakhand has 4 coronavirus patients, one person has recovered. Goa and Himachal Pradesh have recorded 3 cases each, one patient has died in Himachal. Odisha has just two Covid-19 positive patients. States and Union territories with just one positive Covid-19 case include Andaman, Manipur, Mizoram and Pondicherry.

Coronavirus killed eight more people in India on Thursday and 88 new cases – the highest in a single day – were confirmed.

On Friday, India entered the third day of the 21-day long nationwide coronavirus lockdown announced by PM Modi to break the chain of Covid-19 infections in the country.

Even as the local authorities have been tasked with handling the nitty-gritty of implementing the 21-day lockdown announced by the Prime Minister and ensuring that the 1.3 billion people of the country get regular supplies of essential groceries, vegetables, milk and medicine at their doorstep, the situation on the ground on Day 2 of the ‘curfew’ continued to be marked by hiccups galore and a confusion-driven scramble for supplies. The yawning gap between the planning and execution exposed chinks in the management of the supply chain, right from trucks carrying goods and retailers to the delivery boys. The smooth flow of the chain was disrupted for reasons varying from highhandedness of the law enforcers, lack of permits or sealing of borders across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The lucky few who got the supplies felt short-changed, especially with vegetables.

Responsible residents abiding by the orders to stay at home were harried as the phone numbers put out for home delivery of essential items in Chandigarh remained inaccessible. Elsewhere, when some district authorities in the region gave a relaxation in the curfew for the people to go out and shop, items flew off the shelves as panic-buying and hoarding ruled, despite the overcharging. With social distancing going for a toss as people thronged chemist shops and grocery stores, questions arise about the purpose of the lockdown getting defeated. The possibility of the insidious coronavirus spreading in the community definitely goes up.

For the fight against the virus to succeed, there is an urgent need to fix the supply chain hiccups. The operations of production, supply and distribution should not be hampered. The help of local resident welfare associations and volunteers may be solicited. A continuous flow of goods is essential to tide over the trying times. Use of technology and apps to keep the people informed would go a long way in ending the present state of confusion. And, only when a person is assured of a running kitchen, and his health needs are met would he be in a position to abide by that other equally vital request of the PM: each one, help nine poor families.