New Delhi, March 24

Protesters against the citizenship law at Shaheen Bagh were vacated by Delhi Police amid coronavirus outbreak on Tuesday morning, officials said.

The women agitators have been on a sit-in at Shaheen Bagh for over three months, protesting the newly amended Citizenship Act.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast) R P Meena said people at the protest venue in Shaheen Bagh were requested to vacate the site as lockdown has been imposed due to coronavirus outbreak.

However, when they refused action was taken and they were vacated, the official said. PTI

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 23

Himachal Pradesh will be on complete lockdown till further orders.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced this in the state Assembly on Monday.

This leads to halting of inter-state and intra-state public and private transport, air flights and trains barring essential services.

Thakur said there was no cause for panic and this is being done as a precautionary measure.

The government had ordered lockdown of Kangra district on Sunday where two positive cases of coronavirus had been reported. They are undergoing treatment at Tanda Medical College in Kangra.

The Chief Minister has announced a package of Rs 500 crore to ensure that 1.50 lakh daily wage workers get wages and pensioners three-month pension in advance in view of lockdown.

Also people will be given two months subsidised ration at fair price shops under PDS.

The Assembly met on Monday after a weeklong break and will be adjourned sine die after passing of the budget.

All ministers, legislators, bureaucrats and Vidhan Sabha staff were seen wearing masks.

Private vehicles can ply only in case of medical emergency and for availing of essential services. All shops, commercial establishments, factories, workshops and godowns will remain closed.

Hospitals, shops selling groceries, milk, bread, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and medicine besides petrol pumps and LPG and oil agencies will remain open.

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Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, March 23

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said all districts of the state will go under a lockdown from Tuesday morning. On Sunday, seven districts of the state had been put under lockdown. Interstate borders will also be sealed.

The restrictions will continue till March 31, and may be extended if required.

Addressing a ‘digital press conference’, Khattar appreciated people’s cooperation in the “Janata Curfew” on Sunday.

He said no public transport, including buses, taxis, and autos will operate. Only emergency transport will be allowed for hospitals, etc.

All commercial establishments will also remain shut.

As per the latest COVID-19 update, there are 14 positive cases in Harayna.

Total persons put under surveillance 8,322; persons currently under surveillance 7,705; persons completing surveillance 617; persons currently hospitalised 73; samples sent for testing 312; negative tests 227; results awaited 73.

The CM said all people arriving from abroad were required to home quarantine for at 14 days. The period may be extended by local authorities.

He urged people to stay indoors, and come out only is required for for urgent purposes, besides maintaining social distance.

During the lockdown, essential services to be maintained and allowed would be electricity, water, civic, bank, ATM, all forms of media, telecom, BPOs, postal, essential commodity supply chains, farming-related movement, and food movement.

Home deliveries will also continue.

Shops, businesses and establishments such as hospitals, chemists, face mask and sanitiser producers, petrol and LPG dealers will be allowed to work.

Private establishments working in connection with coronavirus control will also work.

Sec 144 of the CrPC had been imposed in the state, and gathering of 5 or more persons will not be allowed.

Resident Welfare Associations will ensure maintainance of social distancing.

The Chief Minister also announced the setting up of the Haryana Corona Relief Fund, with a personal contribution of Rs 5 lakh. All MLAs will also donate one month’s salary.

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 23

With people not following the lockdown orders in Punjab ‘properly’, the state government has imposed a curfew till March 31.

Even as he appealed to the people to voluntarily adhere to the curfew imposed to tackle the prevailing coronavirus outbreak, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday warned of strict action against any violation of the curfew imposed “in the larger interest of the state”.

In a video message address to the people of Punjab, the chief minister said he was forced to take this extreme step “in the interest of the state, and in the interest of all of you”, as he had received reports that people were moving around normally in towns, mohallas and cities despite the lockdown that became effective this morning.

A Punjab government spokesperson said, “After reviewing the situation with the Chief Secretary and DGP, the CM has announced full curfew with no relaxations. The DCs have been asked to issue orders accordingly. Any person required to be given relaxation will be so allowed specifically for a given period and purpose.”

Punjab is the first state to pass such orders. The stringent orders were necessitated with fears that the virus may infect many people after reports said some persons contracted the infection at Hola Mohalla celebrations in Anandpur Sahib earlier this month, despite directions against holding such gatherings.

A top government functionary said curfew was the only means to keep people indoors.

Senior officials in the government said there was a complete ban on movement, which came into effect immediately. Deputy commissioners in each district had been authorised to issue passes, which would be time specific and destination specific. Only those with the passes would be allowed to move around.

Even for essential services, including doctors, chemists, and daily goods shops, it was mandatory to apply for permission, and only thereafter could they run their operations.

RELIEF MEASURES

The Chief Minister announced relief measures to support the affected people as a result of the restrictions. These included free food, shelter and medicines for those in need, with Rs 20 cr sanctioned out of the CM’s Relief Fund and  DCs and SDMs asked to extend assistance to those in need. The Chief Minister also announced deferment of payment of electricity, sewerage and water bills in the state.

The government had earlier initiated legal action against violators of home quarantine. “All measures being taken are for the larger good of everyone. While I am happy that everyone is cooperating, I will not let a few threaten the safety measures being taken against Covid,” the Chief Minister earlier tweeted.

Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh said the amnesty scheme on property tax had been extended till May 31, 2020. The date for payment of all those domestic, commercial and small power industrial consumers having monthly/bimonthly electricity bills upto Rs 10,000, which falls on or after March 20, has been extended up to April 15, 2020. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has been asked not to recover the late payment surcharge from these nearly 35 lakh consumers.

The Transport Department will extend the due date of all taxes under the Punjab Motor Vehicle Taxation Act by one month up to April 30, 2020. Stage and contract carriage vehicles would be given 100% exemption from the Motor Vehicle Tax for the period in which these are not allowed to ply.

For the farmers, the Cooperation Department has decided to waive for two months (March-April 2020) penal interest on their crop, which is obtained by them from Central Coop Banks & Primary Agriculture Co-op Societies. These farmers can now repay their crop loans till April 30, 2020.

The Social Security Department will release pensions amounting to Rs 150 crore for the month of March 2020 immediately. The government has already released social security pensions to the individual accounts of all beneficiaries up to February 2020.

The Labour Department has already decided to provide assistance of Rs 3,000 to the 3,18,000 registered construction workers through DBT in their bank accounts.

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 24

The first dawn of curfew in Punjab and Chandigarh brought with it anxieties for people wondering about whether or not they would get their essential supplies such as milk. The supplies were disrupted for the most part, but attempts were being made by district administrations to start deliveries at doorstep, at least in the cities.

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Door-to-door supply of milk and vegetables was allowed in Faridkot, with the Deputy Commissioner issuing passes to vendors.

Also read: Punjab Govt clamps statewide curfew to curb spread

The Bathinda DC announced there would be no relaxation in the curfew on Tuesday in the district, but Verka would arrange door-to-door supply of milk in the city.

However, the supply of milk (including Verka) and essential items was severely affected in most parts of Punjab due to a lack of coordination between the district authorities and state government agencies responsible for supply of essential commodities.

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Moga, Patiala, and Mohali too reported disruption in the supply of newspapers and milk. As much as 12 lakh litres of milk was reported lying at the Mohali Verka milk plant alone for want of pick up.

Officials said relaxation was not being given as people in many parts of the state were not taking the curfew seriously. Relaxation for short intervals was resulting in people coming out in large numbers in public places such as parks and markets.

They said it could take a day to streamline the process of distribution of essential items.

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Chandigarh too reported similar disruptions, though newspapers were delivered in some areas.

Newspaper supply in several areas of Amritsar remained affected on Tuesday.

Vendor union leaders came at pick up points to discourage the vendors from distributing newspapers.

Milk Supply also remained disrupted in the city. Only milk vendors from the rural belt could manage to supply milk at the doorstep in parts of the city.

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, March 24 

The Jammu and Kashmir government issued an order revoking the detention of former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday.

In a tweet, government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said: “Govt issues orders revoking detention of Shri Omar Abdullah.”

The National Conference leader was in detention at Hari Nivas since August 5, 2019—when Article 370 was abrogated.

Also read: SC notice to J-K on Sara Pilot’s plea against brother Omar’s detention

Last week, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir Administration to spell out if it planned to release Abdullah.

“If you are releasing him, then release him soon or we will hear the matter on merits,” a Bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra had said.

During his detention, part of a major crackdown to prevent protest against the abrogation of Article 370, Omar grew a long beard that has dramatically changed his appearance.

Omar’s father and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah was only recently released from detention.

Omar’s political career saw him becoming the Minister of State for External Affairs during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2001-2002. He was elected as the Member of Parliament from Srinagar in 1998 and was also elected as a legislator from Ganderbal and Beerwah constituencies.

On the one hand, shutdowns have helped in other countries. Every infectious disease model supports a total shutdown. But there are many unknowns. The virus could mutate to be less virulent as most viruses tend to.

The doors to leasing military hardware were opened for the first time last week with the government unveiling a draft policy on arms acquisition that allows the armed forces to go in for leased capability to cut down on costs associated with purchasing weapons and systems.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is considering, for the first time, leasing aerial refuelling tanker aircraft to extend the reach of its fighter jets instead of a direct purchase against the backdrop of previous failed attempts to buy new tankers, two officers familiar with the move said on Sunday on condition of anonymity.

The doors to leasing military hardware were opened for the first time last week with the government unveiling a draft policy on arms acquisition that allows the armed forces to go in for leased capability to cut down on costs associated with purchasing weapons and systems.

“The IAF has made two attempts to buy tankers during the last decade-and-a-half. On both occasions, we were close to signing the deal but things fell through because of the high acquisition cost. Leasing is a good option to fill the capability gap,” said one of the officers cited above.

The IAF operates a fleet of six Russian-origin Ilyushin-78 tankers that are plagued by maintenance problems and the force urgently needs at least six more.

“We are finalising the requirements for the proposed lease of tankers to boost our in-flight refuelling capabilities. We are looking at aspects such as whether we should opt for a wet [the lessor provides crew and maintenance] or dry lease. Leasing will be a better option as our budget is under pressure,” said a second officer.

Leasing has been introduced in the draft Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2020 as a new category for acquisition in addition to the existing ‘Buy’ and ‘Make’ categories in order to substitute huge initial capital outlays with periodical rental payments.

Leasing is permitted in two categories—where the lessor is an Indian entity and is the owner of the assets and where the lessor is a global entity. The provision of leasing in the draft DPP governs military equipment that is not deployed during the war—transport fleets, trainers and simulators.

“Tankers are a force multiplier and the IAF has been pressing for more inductions for the past 15 years. Finance has been and still is the issue. Leasing is a good option. It will save the flying hours of the IAF-owned aerial refuelling tanker aircraft for wars, with the leased ones doing the very substantial task of training and long ferries for exercises abroad,” said Air Vice Marshal (retired) Manmohan Bahadur, additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

According to an August 2017 Comptroller and Auditor General of India report, the desired serviceability of the Il-78 fleet should have been 70% by the IAF’s own standards but it stood at 49% during 2010-16—barely half of the planes were available for missions at any given time during that period.

American (Boeing KC-46A), Russian (Il-78) and European (A330 MRTT) military contractors were expecting the IAF to float a global tender for more tankers. Israel Aerospace Industries’ Bedek Aviation Group was also looking at participating in the contest with its Boeing 767-200 multi-mission tanker transport—a conversion of the Boeing aircraft by Bedek Aviation.

As the number of Covid-19 positive cases soared in the country, the government put in place stringent measures, locking down districts to check the spread of Sars-CoV-2 virus.

The government has already said that private sector workers in New Delhi must work from home this week unless they are providing an essential service. Most public transport will also be halted.

Tracking Coronavirus Outbreak: Live Updates

The 82 districts, where Covid-19 cases have been reported, are under complete lockdown. The Union Home Ministry said these 82 districts in 17 states are places from where Covid-19 cases have been under reported and are under complete lockdown, but state governments can extend the list of districts as they deem fit.

Here’s a look at what is shut where and what is not:

To carry out basic essential transactions, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has asked banks to open only selective branches in areas that have been placed under lockdown.

The association asked the CEO of banks to empower their regional or zonal or circle heads to take appropriate decision in the matter. The association had earlier asked customers to use online and mobile banking channels for making their transactions.

Except Karnataka, private vehicles are allowed in states across the country. Grocery shops, fuel stations, LPG agencies, telecom services, hospitals and pharmacies are open in almost every state.

All schools, colleges, trains, inter-state bus services and offices are closed. Most of the states have also banned dine-in eateries, while some like Maharashtra and Rajasdthan have kept these open. Except Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, local bus services are also banned. 

Now, let’s take a look at measures taken by various state governments as part of national lockdown.

Delhi:

Services of Ola and Uber will not be available in Delhi till March 31 amid the lockdown announced by the state government to contain the spread of coronavirus disease Covid-19.

“Uber is complying with all Central and State Government directives related to its services for containing the spread of Coronavirus,” an Uber spokesperson said in response to a query.

An Ola spokesperson said the company “will enable a minimal network of vehicles to support essential services in cities, wherever applicable, as part of this national effort to reduce the contagion of COVID-19”.

The lockdown in Delhi will continue till March 31. The total number of coronavirus cases in the national capital on Sunday increased to 30, said the Union health ministry.

The city’s borders will remain sealed during the lockdown, but essential services related to health, food, water and power supply will continue, and 25 per cent of the DTC buses will run to transport people associated with essential services.

Uttar Pradesh:

Sixteen districts in Uttar Pradesh, including capital Lucknow, have been locked down till Wednesday amid a spurt in Sars-CoV-2 cases.

The districts where the lockdown has been enforced in the first phase are Lucknow, Agra, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Aligarh, Moradabad, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bareilly, Azamgarh, Meerut, Gorakhpur, Saharanpur and Pilibhit.

“I appeal to all the citizens that they should stay indoors and not venture out of their homes. Unnecessary crowding and gathering at public places should be avoided. We are standing at a juncture where even a slight laxity can prove to be harmful,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.

Maharashtra:

The state has seen highest number of Covid-19 patients in the country. Among the steps taken by the state government, all kinds of gatherings and travel are banned.

The police in Pune have passed an order restricting assembly of five or more people in the city to avoid the spread of coronavirus. The order passed under Section 144 of CrPC restricts people to assemble at one place or organise any such event/programme where five or more people’s gathering can be expected.

West Bengal:

The West Bengal government on Sunday announced lockdown in the state, including rural and urban areas, till March 27.

“The state will be on lockdown till March 27 until further orders in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” read the order issued by the government.

The state government announced that no public transport including taxis and autorickshaws, except for vehicles going to and from hospitals, airports, railway station, bus terminals/bus stands and good carrying food and essential commodities, will be allowed to be on streets.

Jharkhand:

The Jharkhand government on Sunday announced a lockdown in the state till March 31 in wake of the surge in coronavirus cases in the country, said government officials.

During the lockdown, the movement of all public transport is prohibited and all shops, commercial institutions, offices, factories, godowns, weekly markets will remain closed.

Odisha:

The Odisha government on Sunday suspended all inter-state bus services amid a lockdown imposed to contain the further spread of coronavirus disease Covid-19.

The inter-state bus operation to and from Odisha will remain suspended till further orders, these buses coming from other states will not be allowed to reach their destination in Odisha after 11 am on March 23, said a government order.

Similarly, no inter-state bus will be allowed to operate to other states from Odisha after 11 am on Monday.

Bihar:

The Bihar government on Sunday announced a lockdown till March 31 to prevent the possible spread of Covid-19.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the lockdown is being enforced in all districts, sub-divisional and block headquarters and municipal towns. It came into effect immediately.

Kumar urged people to “extend their full cooperation” to the state government’s campaign to curb the spread of the disease.

Karnataka:

The state government on Sunday announced lockdown of nine districts and the suspension of operations of public transport all across the state.

These nine districts are Bengaluru, Bengaluru rural, Kalburgi, Mysore, Mangalore, Kodagu, Chickballapur, Dharwad and Belagavi. They will remain under lockdown till March 31.

The suspension of public transport all across the state, however, is only in place till Monday, Karnataka home minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Haryana:

The Haryana government on Sunday ordered lockdown for seven of the state’s 22 districts, including Gurgaon and Faridabad, till March 32 and suspending all public and private transport and various non-essential services there with the positive coronavirus cases reaching 12.

According to a state government notification, issued on Sunday, the lockdown in the seven districts – Gurugaon, Faridabad, Sonipat, Panipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Panchkula – was enforced at 9 pm.

Testing has expanded in the country of 1.3 billion people after the number of infected people reached 396 on Sunday.

The World Health Organization has called for “aggressive” action in Southeast Asia, fearing that a major outbreak could cripple the region’s health care systems.

Habeas corpus petitions are gathering dust since August last year. The urge to not disturb the State has not gone. But the main idea behind all this is that the judiciary and the legislature, or to be more specific, the government, should work together for the project of nation-building. It needs to be rejected. Cowardice and bullying are two sides of the same coin and they define the character of our elite.