Our Correspondent
Anantnag, April 7

A CRPF man was killed after militants fired at a patrol party of the force, early Tuesday evening, here in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district.

The slain paratrooper has been identified as Head Constable Shiv Lal.

The firing incident took place near the police station, Bijbehara along the old national highway at around 4:45 pm on Tuesday evening.

“The militants opened fire at a joint patrol party of the police and the CRPF. One CRPF jawan was injured in the firing, who later succumbed to his injuries,” a senior police official from Bijbehara said.

Injured Shiv Lal was immediately rushed to the Sub-District hospital, located near to the site of the attack.

“We gave him first aid and shifted him to the Anantnag Government Medical College Hospital,” a doctor at the hospital said.

In Anantnag, the doctors said, that he was declared brought dead with bullet wounds to his chest.

Following the firing incident, a cache of security forces cordoned off the already deserted Bijbehara market and conducted searches to try and nab the attackers.

The slain CRPF jawan of 116 Bn was deployed for law and order duty in Bijbahara, a spokesman of the force said in Srinagar.

Jammu: The Army is reaching out to people by launching a multi-pronged campaign in its fight against coronavirus. It has been undertaking awareness campaigns and educating people during the pandemic. It has also established multiple telephone helplines for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from providing essentials, such as ration, medical aid, masks, soap and sanitiser to the poor and needy, the Army is making announcements on loudspeakers asking people to restrict their movement as part of the lockdown. It is also distributing pamphlets in bilingual language in remote areas, especially among the nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal communities, to provide important information related to Covid. All field hospitals of the Army have been instructed to be ready to set up an isolation facility exclusively for the Covid patients. TNS

Community policing upped in villages

Jammu: While the government is working at its level to tackle the spread of coronavirus in Jammu, people have started to restrict the entry of outsiders in their villages and localities. Community policing is being done to ensure the success of the 21-day lockdown period. People are guarding the entry point to Chatta village on the outskirts of Jammu to ensure that no one enters there without any reason. The sarpanch of Chatta Farm, Avatar Singh, on the outskirts of Jammu has involved village youths to barricade the village entry to check people from entering the place. Whoever moves outside the village for essential works or comes to the village is asked the purpose of his work, and his identity papers are checked. To ensure the regular supply of the essential commodities in the panchayat, people contact youth volunteers constituted by the sarpanch, who are contacted in case of any emergency via phone. OC

SMC carries sterilisation drives

Srinagar: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) conducted prompt sterilisation drives in the Hyderpora and Natipora areas after two cases tested positive for Covid. Officials said a fully equipped team of 50 members took to these areas for conducting fumigation and prescribed chemical spraying around 300-meter radius of these areas. All connecting lanes, bylanes, mohhallas, mosques in Natipora and Hyderpora were sanitised under the supervision of ward officers, sanitary supervisors and inspectors concerned after the news came that two persons had tested positive, which created panic among residents. TNS

Press club flays gag on covid info

Srinagar: The Kashmir Press Club condemned the attempts by authorities to “throttle information on coronavirus” amid the lockdown. The press club said the recent order issued by the Director, Health Services, Kashmir, ordering the doctors and paramedics “not to share information with the media about the ongoing crisis” was nothing but a crude attempt to further stifle the freedom of the press in the region. “Stopping the information flow amid the unprecedented situation is highly condemnable,” the KPC said in a statement. It said putting out information during the pandemic through the media was of vital importance as it helped to stop the flow of unverified information and rumours. TNS

Residents urge L-G to ban polybags

Jammu: Amid the coronavirus pandemic and as the UT is seeing a rise in the number of positive cases, residents have appealed to Lt-Governor GC Murmu to replace polythene bags with paper bags, which are safe and less harmful. Many researches claim that the virus vitality lasts longest on plastic but polythene carry bags continue to be in use and people carry their daily items, including vegetables and groceries, in them. People have also requested the Jammu Municipal Corporation and the UT Pollution Control Board to immediately launch a drive and confiscate the polythene bags from the shopkeepers. TNS

Board exams evaluation suspended

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education has extended the suspension of the evaluation process of the Class X and XII annual exams of the summer zone amid the coronavirus outbreak. Sources said the board had taken the decision in view of the lockdown and advisories issued by the government of Jammu and Kashmir. The exams of Class X, XI and XI, which were postponed till March 31, have now been postponed till further orders. The new dates for the exam will be communicated by the board separately. TNS

Tele-counselling helpline launched

Jammu: In a significant move to guide students, parents and teachers if they have any anxiety or other issues arising out of the Covid situation, the Directorate of School Education, Jammu (DSEJ), has decided to extend special services of its tele-counselling helpline “Aao Baat Karein”. The counselling cell of the school directorarte, which runs the tele-counselling helpline has collaborated with the Brainpreneurs – Child Development Centre (CDC), Jammu, an organisation dedicated to the cause of child mental health. The trained clinical psychologists of Brainpreneurs-CDC will be available for counselling on the helpline number 6006800068 along with their teacher counsellors/counselling psychologists. TNS

IIT-Jammu starts online classes

Jammu: To ensure that there is not much academic loss of students due to the ongoing campus shutdown amid the Covid pandemic, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) -Jammu has started online classes for its students from Thursday thorough learning management system (LMS). For the students attending online classes through the LMS, there are different categories of courses, including computer science, physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, humanities and social sciences, chemistry, materials enginering, common courses etc. TNS

Itanagar, April 7 

China’s People’s Liberation Army released on Tuesday the 21-year-old Indian man who was abducted on March 19 from near the McMahon line in Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, a defence spokesman said.

Togley Singkam, who was handed over to the Indian Army personnel guarding the border, was immediately put into quarantine amid fear of coronavirus infection, Defence PRO Lt Col P Khongsai said.

When the incident came to light, the Indian Army swung into action and approached the Chinese side utilising the established border management mechanism. Owing to peace and tranquility existing in the region and the bonhomie that has developed between both the border guarding forces, Singkam was handed over to the Indian Army on Tuesday, he said.

This has provided immense relief to the family members of Singkam and also to the people of the area, he said.

Singkam has been quarantined by the Indian Army and will be handed over to his family after 14 days, the official said.

Singkam along with his two friends — Gamshi Chadar and Ronya Nade — had gone fishing and to collect traditional herbs from the land belonging to the Naa clan of Tagin community on March 19 when the Chinese security personnel allegedly ambushed them.

While his other two friends could successfully escape, Singkam was abducted at gunpoint by the Chinese security personnel.

The Tagin Cultural Society had approached the governor on March 27, urging him to take steps for Singkam’s release.

A complaint was also filed by Singkam’s family at the Nacho police station on March 23.

The McMahon Line demarcates the boundary between the Tibet autonomous region of China and Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as its own.

The McMahon Line is not properly demarcated and small cement pillars erected on the Indian side often get covered under wild growth.

A number of organisations in the state had appealed to the state government for taking up the matter with the Centre for the safe release of the man.

The Siyum Nacho Limeking Taksing Students Union (SNLTSU) had also threatened to launch a democratic movement in the state capital, if his early and safe release was not ensured. PTI

Chandigarh, April 7

The Chandigarh Administration on Tuesday made it mandatory for people to wear masks in public places to check the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“We have made it mandatory for people in Chandigarh to wear masks or cloth on their face from Wednesday,” the Union Territory of Chandigarh Adviser Manoj Parida said here.

He said anybody flouting the order will be warned by the police. However, the decision regarding levying penalty on violators is yet to be taken, Parida said.

He said Chandigarh will be the first Union Territory (UT) that has made wearing masks mandatory.

The UT of Chandigarh has reported 18 coronavirus cases so far and of them, seven have been cured, Parida said.

Besides, the administration has also decided that the payment of water and electricity charges and payment of house rent, including for rehabilitation colonies, will be deferred, he said.

Chandigarh administrator VP Singh Badnore on Tuesday held a meeting to view the situation here.

Parida informed Badnore that the number of positive cases had come down in Chandigarh to 11 because of curfew measures and observation of social distancing by residents. PTI

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 7

To further mitigate the hardships faced by the people amid the COVID-19 crisis and clampdown, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced a reduction in the fixed charges for electricity consumers, along with deferment of the deadline for payment of bills, while instructing the power department to provide  uninterrupted 24×7 supply to all Health Care Institutions.

The PSPCL will have to bear the additional burden of Rs.350 crore due to the various reliefs announced for the consumers, an official spokesperson said, adding that the Chief Minister also lauded the employees of PSPCL and PSTCL for their untiring efforts in maintaining a continuous supply of power in this time of crisis.

No new disconnection shall be carried out against non-payment till restrictions are withdrawn by the authority, the Chief Minister has further ordered.

The reliefs have been announced in view of the unprecedented situation in which consumers are unable to pay their dues to Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), according to the spokesperson.

As per the Chief Minister’s directives, the due date of electricity bills of all the domestic & commercial consumers, having current monthly/bi-monthly bills up to Rs. 10,000/- payable on or after 20th March, has been extended up to 20th April, without levy of late payment surcharge.

Further, a one percent rebate will be given to the consumers (exclusive of any previous arrears), who will pay electricity bills online through digital modes by the original due date.

The same applies to all electricity bills payable on or after 20th March of all the Industrial consumers – Medium Supply (MS) and Large Supply (LS) Industrial Consumers.

The fixed charges of the industrial consumers will also be exempted for the next two months, w.e.f 23.3.2020, and Energy Charges may be fixed commensurate with the reduction in Fixed Charges (single rate), the Chief Minister has instructed.

Since, the Revised Energy Charges will be paid by consumers and will not be considered for the subsidy, the MS and LS Industrial Consumers, whose units remained closed during this period will not be required to pay any electricity dues.

Captain Amarinder has further directed A Venu Prasad, Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Power, to provide uninterrupted 24×7 supply to all Health Care Institutions such as Medical Colleges, Hospitals, Dispensaries, and other Medical Establishments and Quarantine Centres across the States for their smooth functioning.

He has also directed that PSPCL shall ensure continuity of supply, and complaints related to safety and restoration of supply shall continue to be attended. However, other non-essential services that require visiting consumer premises for meter reading, billing, the release of new connections, etc. may be discontinued during the lockdown period.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 7

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advised him to ban all government ads barring COVID-19 related for two years to divert the saved funds to pandemic management.

Writing to the PM a day after latter called her on the phone to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country, Gandhi also said the Central Vista project coming up at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore should be suspended.

This is not the time for extravagance, she told the PM adding that the existing Parliament building can serve its purpose.

Sonia gave five suggestions to the Government including banning all non-urgent foreign trips by government leaders and bureaucrats.

Supporting the government decision to cut salaries of MPs by 30 per cent, Gandhi said, “Austerity measures which can be used to divert much-needed funds to the fight against Covid-19 are the need of the hour.

In this spirit, I am writing to offer five concrete suggestions.

Gandhi said “Impose a complete ban on media advertisements – television, print and online – by the Government and Public Sectors Undertakings for two years and issue only Covid-19 related advisories.”

Sonia said the Central Government currently spends an average of Rs 1,250 crores per year on media advertisements.

Second, she said, suspend the Rs 20,000 crore ‘Central Vista’ beautification and construction project forthwith.

“Such an outlay seems self-indulgent at this time to say the least. There is no urgent requirement that cannot be postponed until this crisis is contained. This sum could instead be allocated towards constructing new hospital infrastructure and diagnostics along with equipping our frontline workers with Personal Protection Equipment and better facilities, she said.

Congress chief also said the PM should order a proportionate reduction of 30 per cent in the expenditure budget (other than salaries, pensions and central sector schemes) for the Government of India as well.

This would save the government Rs 2.5 lakh crores per year approximately.

“Money saved can then be allocated towards establishing an economic safety net for migrant workers, labourers, farmers, MSMEs and those in the unorganised sector, Gandhi suggested.

She said all foreign visits, including that of the President, the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, State Ministers and Bureaucrats must be put on hold in a similar fashion with exceptions in case of special emergency.

This, she said, would bring money as Rs 393 crores were spent for just the Prime Minister and Union Cabinet’s trips in the last five years.

Lastly, she asked all the money of PM Cares’ fund should be transferred to the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund for transparency and efficient use.

handigarh, April 9

An 81-year-old woman, who defeated coronavirus in Punjab, here on Thursday urged people to stay indoors to protect themselves from the infection.

According to a video shared by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Twitter, Kulwant Nirmal of Mohali, a diabetes and hypertension patient, tested positive for coronavirus.

But her will to fight overshadowed everything, and now she is healthy and at home.

She is among the patients in the state who have recovered from the infection. In her video message, she said with folded hands: “Doctors took care of me. Never be afraid of the disease. Follow whatever the government and the doctors are saying.”

“Keep your will power strong. Have courage and do prayers. Waheguru will save you,” the octogenarian said.

Her son Gurminder Singh said he was quarantined in the home along with the other family members when her mother was admitted to a private hospital.

Her mother, a diabetes and hypertension patient for 30 years, was the only coronavirus case in the family, he said.

Harpal Singh, sarpanch of Pathlawa village, as well as seven others from S.B.S. Nagar, tested negative multiple times for COVID-19 and were declared fully cured. Fourteen patients in Punjab have been cured. IANS

New Delhi, April 7

Eight COVID-19 patients died and 354 news cases were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of infected people in the country to 4,421, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The death toll due to the novel coronavirus now stands at 117, it said.

During a press briefing, Joint Secretary in the ministry Lav Agarwal said: “Total 4,421 people have been infected with the virus”. Of them, 326 people have recovered.

However, a PTI tally based on figures reported by states directly on Monday night showed at least 138 deaths across the country, while the confirmed cases reached 4,683. Of these, 359 have been cured and discharged.

Agarwal said cluster containment strategies and action plans for outbreaks, which are amenable to management, are giving required results in some areas like Agra, Gautam Budh Nagar, Bhilwara, East Delhi and Mumbai.

These strategies are also being adopted in other coronavirus-affected districts, he said.

According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one COVID-19 patient can infect 406 people in 30 days if he/she does not follow lockdown or social distancing, Agarwal said.

Meanwhile, Pune reported three more deaths, an official said. This takes the district toll from coronavirus to eight. However, these deaths have yet to be added to the national death tally  PTI

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9

The coronavirus breakout may end Punjab’s wait to get the Clinical Establishment Act as the government is planning to bring an ordinance to end the plunder by private doctors.

The draft of the act has been hanging fire in the state for the past eight years.

According to sources, the state government is planning to bring an ordinance, ‘the Punjab Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation & Transparency) Act, 2019’, in the cabinet meeting slated for Friday.

The Chief Minister has announced that it is not acceptable that the way private doctors have shut down the OPDs. He said they would cancel licences of all the clinics and doctors, who have refused to give services in these testing times. The CM also confirmed in a TV interview that the government would bring in the ordinance regarding the act on Saturday.

Interestingly, with a view to regulating the functioning of private hospitals in the country, the Centre had enacted the Clinical Establishment Act, 2010, which was adopted by several states. But instead of adopting the same act, the then Punjab government decided to draft its own act and in 2012 constituted a Clinical Establishment Act Drafting Committee.

However, thanks to the powerful lobby of the private health care practitioners, the draft was never accepted.

After a series of meetings, the committee headed by Dr Rajesh Kumar, former head, School of Public Health, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, submitted the draft of the bill to the state government in 2013. The draft had important provisions like every private or government hospital has to display the services it offers and will also mention the fee it charges for all the services. Besides, it was also proposed to make it mandatory for all private hospitals to get themselves registered.

However, the draft was neither cleared by the cabinet nor it was taken to the Assembly. The members of the committee had publicly said that the draft of the move regarding the act was scuttled by the lobby of big corporate hospitals.

After formation of the current government in 2017, the then health Minister Braham Mohindra had also announced to implement the act but he also failed to do anything.

In November last year, the state government once again posted draft of the bill on its website and had asked for feedback.  But once again, the powerful body of private doctors was successful in scuttling the move. Soon after that, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu assured an IMA delegation that all their genuine demands would be incorporated before finalising any decision. But the act could never see the light of day.

 Provisions of the act

* Mandatory for all private hospitals to get themselves registered

* Private or government hospital has to display the services it offers

* Display the fee it charges for all the services

* Every hospital with more than 100 beds to set up Fair Price Medicine Shop and Fair Price Diagnostic Centre

* Free treatment to 20 per cent of Outdoor Patient Department patients and 10 per cent of Indoor Patient Department patients