++++

+C M Y K

Regn. No. 34190/75 No. 94 Port Blair, Tuesday April 14, 2020 Web: dt.andaman.gov.in Rs. 3.00 Pages 4

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Dry weather most likely over PortBlair. Maximum and Minimumtemperature will be around 32°Cand 25°C respectively on Tuesday14/04/2020.Maximum Temperature (°C) of Date: 32.7Minimum Temperature (°C) of Date: 25.7Relative Humidity(%) at 0830 IST 069Relative Humidity(%) at 1730 IST 074Sunrise Time for tomorrow (in IST): 0508Sunset Time for tomorrow (in IST): 1731Rainfall upto 0830 hrs of date (last 24 hrs)- in mm: 000.0Rainfall upto 1730 hrs of date in mm: 000.0Rainfall (Progressive total from 1st January 1.3 upto0830 hrs (of date) in mm

“It is health that is realwealth and not pieces of

gold and silver.”

...the Largest Circulating Daily of the Islands

Since 1920s the Oldest Daily...

DO NOT PAY HEED TO RUMOURS ON CORONA VIRUS: CLARIFY YOUR DOUBTSBY DIALING STATE HELPLINE NO: 03192-232102

MESSAGE

New Delhi, Apr 13 Prime Minister ShriNarendra Modi will addressthe nation at 10 A.M.tomorrow (April 14). He islikely to announce decisionwith regard to extension ofthe Corona virus lockdownon this occasion. The Prime Minister hadspoken to Chief Ministersvia video conferencing lastSaturday where severalstates requested him toextend the lockdown for twomore weeks. Prime Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi toaddress nation at 10 AM today

The observance of Fire Service Day onApril 14 every year reminds us about thenoble task being performed by Fire Servicepersonnel to save precious lives andproperty. It is an occasion for all of us tothank the Fire Service personnel for theirinvaluable services they render to the societyand also pay homage to those Fire Servicepersonnel who sacrificed their lives duringthe performance of duty. Besides Fire prevention and fire fighting,the Fire Service also has a major role to playin Disaster Preparedness and DisasterManagement, as they are one of the firstresponders in any disaster. It is satisfying to learn that the Fire Servicespersonnel in A&N Islands are contributing their might alongwith local policefor providing emergency response and picket duties thus contributing inprevention and containment of spread of Novel Corona Virus (COVID -19) inthe Islands. A&N Fire Service has always displayed a high degree of commitment andsincerity, in discharge of their duty. On the occasion of Fire Service Day, Icongratulate all the personnel of the A&N Police Fire Service for their exemplaryperformance and hope that the Fire Service Week from April 14 to April 20,2020 will also generate public awareness about fire safety with same zeal andenthusiasm.

Sd/-Admiral D K Joshi

PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.)Lieutenant Governor

Andaman & Nicobar Islands andVice Chairman, Islands Development Agency

said that there seems to be a consensus amongst the stateson extension of Lockdown by another two weeks. Shri Modi had held similar interaction with the Chief

Ministers via videoconferencing earlier on the20th of March and 2nd ofApril. A 21-day completelockdown of the entirenation was announced onthe 24th of March. PrimeMinister has already heldtalks with leaders of variouspolitical parties on 8th ofthis month as well as withdifferent stakeholders toseek their views andsupport to contain thespread of COVID-19.

Port Blair, Apr 13 The contributions asmentioned below werereceived towards LtGovernor's Relief Fund:- M/s Castle Ship Pvt.Ltd represented by MissMeena Singh (GeneralManager) and ShriKameshwar Rao (AreaManager) receivedreceipt for a generouscontribution of RupeesEleven Lakhs towardsLG's Relief Fund. A delegation of Carmel

More contributions receivedtowards Lt. Governor's Relief Fund

Senior Secondary Schooland Carmel Convent ledby Sister M. Hazel A.C(Principal), Sister LeenaMary A.C (Superior), SmtRekha Sudhakar(Teachers representative)and Shri Denis Giles (anAlumni member)contributed a total sum ofRupees Five Lakhstowards LG's ReliefFund. Shri NarasimhaMoorthy, AssistantCommandant, IRBn

donated a cheque ofRupees Ten thousandtowards LG's ReliefFund. While handing over theabove cheques to ShriKulanand Joshi, Secretaryto the Lt Governor, A&NIslands, the donorsappreciated the effortsundertaken by theAndaman & NicobarAdministration towardscontainment ofCOVID-19, acommunication said.

Port Blair, Apr 13 The Home Ministry, Govt. of India, in exercise of the powers conferredunder Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act 2005, has directedStates/UTs to take effective measures so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country which has already been declared pandemic by the WorldHealth Organization. The Ministry has also asked the States/UTs forimplementation of the lockdown guidelines in letter and spirit and also tomaintain the supply of essential goods in the country. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all the States and UnionTerritories on April 12, 2020, the Home Secretary, Govt. of India, Shri AjayBhalla has reiterated for strict observance by the authorities at various levels ofguidelines and clarifications by the MHA on 24th March, 2020 and clarificationsissued subsequently. With a view to brining in clarity at the implementation level, the Home Secretaryhas reiterated the following for strict observance by the authorities at variouslevels: Inter-state and intra-state movement of all trucks and other goods / carriervehicles with one driver and one additional person is allowed as long as thedriver is carrying a valid driver's license. This is irrespective of the nature of thecargo, whether essential or otherwise. No further permit or approval would berequired. Empty trucks/ goods carriers should also be allowed to operate while on wayto pick up goods, or returning after completing a delivery. Hence, there is nocause to stop empty trucks provided they have valid documents such as drivinglicense & road permit etc. Local authorities should actively facilitate the movement of truck drivers andcleaners from their place of residence to location of their trucks. Local authorities should facilitate the easy to and fro movement of workersto workplace and back, in respect of all the permitted industrial/ commercialactivities. Railways, Airports, Seaports, and Customs authorities have already beenauthorized to issue passes for their staff and contractual labour. This may beensured. Regarding issuance of passes to workers engaged in the manufacturing ofpermitted categories, the State/ UT Governments are advised to expeditiouslyissue passes on the basis of authorizations issued by companies/ organizations.The State/ UT Governments shall ensure that these passes are honored both formovement within their State/ UT and in bordering areas of other States/ UTs.

Home Ministry directs States/UTs forstrict implementation of lockdown

Chief Secretary directs for strict compliance of guidelines of MHA

(Contd. on last page)

Port Blair, Apr 13Consequent on thelockdown due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,the normal teachinglearning process in theschools of this UnionTerritory has beensuspended. In order tofacilitate learningopportunity to thestudents from theirhomes, the Departmentof Education isinitiating an alternativelearning platformthrough the localDoordarshan, Cable TVNetwork and All IndiaRadio.The recorded contentsprepared by few selected

Alternative learning platformthrough DD, Cable TV & AIR in Isles

teachers of EducationDepartment will bet e l e c a s t / b r o a d c a s tthrough Doordarshan,All India Radio as wellas the local Cable TVchannels. Initially it isproposed to start thetelecast of the contentsfor Classes VIII to XII

Port Blair, Apr 13 It has been brought tonotice of the FisheriesDepartment that somefish vendors and tradersare engaging in sale of fishat exorbitant price in thewake of Lockdown dueto COVID-19 in A&NIslands. Such practice isin gross violation ofvarious Acts and Rulesframed by theGovernment of India tosafeguard the interest ofthe public. The price of some ofthe commercial fisheshaving local demandwhich prevailed prior to

the lock down is as follows:-1. Mrigal, Khusal, Bedki, Dandoos, Small persa- Rs. 200/Kg.2. Persa(Big Size), Chanda Kukari- Rs. 250/Kg.3. Maya- Rs.120/Kg.4. Tarni, Topi, Bangdri- Rs. 100/Kg.5. Tuna- Rs 160/Kg.6. Surmai- Rs. 400-500/Kg.

Exorbitant prices of fish in market reportedFish vendors & traders askedto refrain from malpractices

Consumer asked to inform over 18003453197/03192-234062

All fish vendors andtraders have been advisedto refrain from suchmalpractices in theinterest of the localconsumers and continueto sell the fish in the pricewhich was prevailingprior to theannouncement ofLockdown due toCOVID-19 in A&N

Islands. The consumersare requested to informthe Department ofCS&CA regarding anymalpractice by fishvendors/Fish Marketsover Toll free No.18003453197 orTelephone No. 03192-234062, a communicationfrom the Joint Director(Fisheries) said here.

MSMEs engaged in the manufacture of essentialitems like wheat flour (atta), pulses (dal) and edibleoils should be allowed to function freely, withoutany hindrances. Warehouses/ cold storage should be allowed tofreely function with allowance for to and fromovement of trucks and without regard to the natureof the goods whether essential or otherwise.Warehouses of companies should also be allowed tooperate. Consequent upon this, the Chief Secretary,A&N Administration, Shri Chetan B. Sanghi hasordered that the guidelines and clarificationsissued by the MHA shall be applicable in thewhole of UT of A&N Islands with immediateeffect. The instructions issued by the Ministryof Home Affairs should be fully complied with,the order to this effect issued by the ChiefSecretary, A&N Administration said.

Holiday declared on accountof Dr. Ambekar's birthday today

Port Blair, Apr 13The Lt. Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islandshas declared that all the Government Offices inthe Union Territory of Andaman and NicobarIslands including Industrial establishments willremain closed on April 14, 2020 on account of thebirthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in accordance withthe instructions of the Ministry of Personnel, PublicGrievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel& Training), GoI, New Delhi. The holiday has beendeclared under the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881(26 of 1881), an official communication said here.

which shall start from16th April, 2020. TheClasses for the Primaryand Upper Primarystudents from Class I toVII will be followedshortly. The date-wiseschedule for thetelecast/broadcast of

Fisheries Deptt. sets up Control RoomPort Blair, Apr 13To facilitate the issue ofpermit for fishing and alliedactivities in the SouthAndaman District, theDepartment of Fisherieshas set up a control roomin the Office of AssistantDirector of Fisheries,South Andaman. TheLicensed Fisherman andothers who desires toobtain permit for fishing

and allied activities maycontact the followingphone numbers between 9am and 1 pm and also from2 to 5 pm on all workingdays and furnish theirdetails including Name,Contact No., BoatRegistration Number/vehicle Number, Numberof crews, date of voyage/travel. Contact Numbersare as follows:-

1. Zonal Fisheries Office, South Andaman-03192-2314732. Shri. SK. Talukdar, Asst Director of Fisheries-94742411013. Shri. Bhargav Chakraborty, Asst. FisheriesDevlpt. Officer- 94760442694. Shri Madhav Rao, Fisheries field Assistant-94342615635. Shri. Nisar, Fisheries Field Assistant-94760984676. Shri. Shankar, Multi tasking staff,-9474237544

(Contd. on last page)

New Delhi, Apr 13Government has extendedon gratis basis the regularvisa and e-visa of foreignnationals who arestranded in India due toCOVID-19 till the 30th ofthis month. The regularvisa, e-visa or stay

Visa and e-visa of strandedforeigners in India extended

stipulation of such foreignnationals whose visashave expired or will beexpiring during 1st of Feb.to 30th of April, will beextended till 30th of thismonth on gratis basis, aftermaking online applicationby the foreigner.

On receipt of details fromthe applicants, the permitissued by the competent

authority shall becommunicated through

Virtual classes for Classes VIII to XII from April 16

Issuing of permits for fishing & allied activities

++++

+

TuesdayApril 14, 20204 Daily Telegrams

Published by IP Division, Directorate of IP & T and printed by Manager, Govt. Press, Chief Editor: Kanak Radha Chatterjee, Ph- 229217, 227201 Fax: 03192-227719 E-mail: thedailytelegrams@gmail.comFor distribution /advertisement queries contact Manager, Govt. Press : 229465

C M Y K

24x7 CONTROL ROOM NUMBERS: 240126/232102/1077/1070(Source: Principal Secretary (Health),

A&N Administration

The students, parents and all stakeholders have been appealed to make use ofthis facility to the maximum extent for the benefit of enhancing teaching-learningactivity during this lockdown period. Parents have also been requested to engagetheir wards to compulsorily attend the virtual classes as per the schedule andfeel free to contact the teachers for any clarification on the content, acommunication from the Directorate of Education said here today.

Alternative learning... (Contd. from page 1)

Health bulletin for containment of COVID-19

(No. 14/ 13th April 2020)

COVID-19 STATUS AS ON 13.04.2020 Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Total Positive cases 11 Cured/Discharged from Hospital 10 Death 00 Admitted at Hospital 01 Migrated out of Country 00 Outside Resident 00

> Status of Hospitals: Name of Hospital

Isolation Beds Available

Occupied Positive Cases Admitted

G B Pant Hospital, Port Blair

50 01 01

* No cases are admitted at Private Hospital. * The Health Condition of all +Ve cases are Normal and Stable. > Status of Sample Testing:

Total Samples sent till date 983 Total Reports received till date 886 Total Pending Reports 97 > House to house surveillance in three “Hot Spots” i.e. Atlanta Point,

Mohanpura Masjid area and Biggiline area are conducted by District Administration with the help of Health Workers.

> Intensive awareness is continued through print and electronic media. > 2020 passengers screened at VSI Airport till 24.03.2020 by medical teams. > Calls received at 102 - 176 calls. > 15 lines are activated in State Head Quarter Control Room and District

Headquarter Control Room also set up at North & Middle Andaman District and Nicobar District.

> 10 COVID-19 patient cured and now under observation. > 470 persons put under Institutional Quarantine as on today which includes

passengers as well as contacts. SURVEILLANCE DATA Contacts put under Home Quarantine till date 293 Contacts under Home Quarantine as on today 293 Contacts completed 14 days period of Home Quarantine 82 Persons under Institutional Quarantine as on today 259 ** Persons completed 14 days period of Institutional Quarantine

211

Passengers completed 14 days period of Quarantine 1812 ** The figure contains institutional Quarantine persons from passengers as well as contacts both.

Days Broadcast through Cable TV

(Timings: 10 a.m. to 12 noon) VIII IX

16.04.2020 English Social Science Mathematics Science 17.04.2020 Mathematics Science English Social Science 18.04.2020 Social Science English Science Mathematics 20.04.2020 Science Mathematics Social Science English 21.04.2020 English Social Science Mathematics Science 22.04.2020 Mathematics Science English Social Science 23.04.2020 Social Science English Science Mathematics 24.04.2020 Science Mathematics Social Science English 25.04.2020 English Social Science Mathematics Science 27.04.2020 Mathematics Science English Social Science 28.04.2020 Social Science English Science Mathematics 29.04.2020 Science Mathematics Social Science English 30.04.2020 English Social Science Mathematics Science

Days Broadcast through Doordarshan

(Timing: 5.15p.m. to 6.15 p.m.) X XII

20.04.2020 English Physics 21.04.2020 Mathematics English 22.04.2020 Social Science Accountancy 23.04.2020 Science Geography 24.04.2020 English Chemistry 27.04.2020 Mathematics Economics 28.04.2020 Social Science Mathematics 29.04.2020 Science Business Studies 30.04.2020 Mathematics Biology

recordings will be as per the following schedule:

SMS in the respective applicant's contact Number. In thewake of Lockdown, Fisherman need not to come to theoffice in person and avail the facility through the contactnumbers.

Issuing of permits.... (Contd. from page 1)

New Delhi, Apr 13 More than 32crore poor people receivedfinancial assistance of Rs29,352crore under thePradhan MantriGaribKalyan Package5.29 Crore beneficiaries distributed free rationof food grains under Pradhan MantriGaribKalyanAnn Yojana97.8 Lakh free Ujjwala cylinders delivered 2.1 Lakh members of EPFO taken benefit ofonline withdrawal of non-refundable advance fromEPFO account amounting toRs 510crore First instalment of PM-KISAN :Rs14,946croretransferred to 7.47crore farmersRs 9930 crore disbursed to 19.86 crore to WomenJan Dhan account holdersRs 1400 crore disbursed to about 2.82 crore oldage persons, widows and disabled persons 2.17crore Building & Construction workersreceived financial support amounting to Rs 3071crore. In order to ensure that weaker sections of the societycontinue to get the basis amenities and do not getimpacted during the lock down period due to COVID19, Rs1.70 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Garib KalyanPackage (PMGKP) was announced by Union Finance

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package : Progress so farMinister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman on 26th March 2020 to protect such peoplefrom the impact of the lockdown. As part of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the Government announcedfree food grains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens andfarmers. The swift implementation of the package is being continuously monitoredby Central and State governments. Finance Ministry, the concerned Ministries,Cabinet Secretariat and PMO are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that therelief measures reach the needy swiftly and in line with the intent of the lockdown.Fintech and digital technology have been employed for swift and efficient transferto the beneficiary. Direct benefit transfer, i.e. transfer that ensures that the amountis directly credited into the account of the beneficiary, eliminates leakage andimproves efficiency has been employed. This has also ensured credit to thebeneficiary's account without the need for the beneficiary to physically go tothe branch.

Port Blair, Apr. 12In order to provide meals to the daily wage earners,street vendors, labourers and many others who areaffected by the Lockdown due to coronavirus, ‘PortBlair Rasoi’, a mission started by people from variouswalks of life are contributing and helping serve mealsprepared at Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Minnie Bay tothe affected persons. The meals are being cooked anddistributed by maintaining social distancing norms. Theorganization is catering to the need of around 500 peopleper day. On the occasion of Baisakhi today, theorganization served Chole Poori to 500 people includingall Police Officials performing duty from Aberdeen Bazarto Garacharma area. The ladies of Sikh community, Stri Satsang alsodistributed dry ration kits to the location allocated bythe Administration.

'Rasoi'- serving cooked food to needy

2 TuesdayApril 14, 2020Daily Telegrams More National News

New Delhi, Apr. 13 President, Shri Ram NathKovind, Vice President, Shri MVenkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister,Shri Narendra Modi have greetedpeople on the occasion of Baisakhitoday. President, Shri Ram NathKovind has extended his greetingsand good wishes to all citizens onthe auspicious occasion ofVaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu,Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi,Puthandu, Pirappu, which are

President, Vice President, PrimeMinister greet people on Baisakhi

being celebrated in different partsof the country. Shri Kovind said, thesefestivals are a symbol of unityinherent in the cultural diversity ofthe country. He said, these festivalsare also an occasion to celebratefarmers. He said, farmers shouldalways be at the centre of people'sgratitude as they not only producefood grains for everyone but alsobring food security and prosperitythrough their tireless efforts. The

President asked people to observethese festivals while reiteratingresolve to defeat Corona viruswhile following social distancingnorms. In a tweet Shri Naidu hopedthat the festival will usher in goodhealth, happiness and prosperity toall. In a tweet Shri Modi said,Baisakhi festival is associated withnew aspirations and hoped that itwill infuse new energy and newenthusiasm in everyone's life.

New Delhi, Apr 13 Home Ministry has directedstates to implement lockdownguidelines in letter andspirit to ensure smooth movementof inter and intra-state cargo,trucks, workers and functioningof warehouse and cold storages.The Ministry had issuedconsolidated guidelines onlockdown measures to be taken byall Central Ministries andDepartments, States and UnionTerritories for containment ofCOVID-19. Clarifications to theseguidelines were also issued toensure availability of essentialgoods and services across thecountry and prevent hardships tothe people. The Ministry said, the

Home Ministry directs states to implementlockdown guidelines in letter and spirit to ensure

smooth movement of inter, intra state cargoguidelines and clarifications are notbeing implemented in letter andspirit in some parts of the country.In a communication to ChiefSecretaries of all States and UnionTerritories, it said, vehiclescarrying essential and non-essentialitems were being detained by policethat could lead to potential shortageof commodities. Home Ministry said, inter-stateand intra-state movement of alltrucks and other goods vehicleswith one driver and one additionalperson is allowed as long as thedriver is carrying a validdriver's licence. Empty trucks andgoods carriers should also beallowed to operate while on wayto pick up goods or returning aftercompleting a delivery. Local

authorities should actively facilitatethe movement of truck drivers andcleaners from their place ofresidence to location of theirtrucks. The vehicles carryingessential goods should not bedetained as it could lead to shortageof these goods. The Ministry said, warehousesand cold storage should be allowedto freely function with allowancefor to and fro movement of trucksand without regard to the natureof the goods, whether essential orotherwise. Warehouses ofcompanies should also be allowedto operate. It further said thatRailways, Airports, Seaports, andCustoms authorities have alreadybeen authorized to issue passes fortheir staff and contractual labour.

New Delhi, Apr 13 The Union Government iswell-prepared to tackle the possibleexponential rise in COVID-19cases. The government is focusingon strengthening infrastructureand surveillance as part of strategyto manage COVID-19 positivecases. Briefing media in New Delhiyesterday, the Health MinistryRepresentative said that based onthe discussions at the level ofHealth Minister and Home Minister,work is on an urgent basis toexpand capacity for COVID-19testing in government and privatemedical colleges across thecountry. Listing out severalmeasures, he also said. The Centre

Govt to focus on strengthening infrastructure, surveillance as part of

strategy to manage covid-19 casesis well-prepared to deal with thesituation and one lakh fivethousand beds are ready in thededicated 601 COVID hospitals. The Home MinistryRepresentative said, the situationregarding essential commodities isunder control. In the HomeMinistry Control Room, officials ofMinistries of Civil Aviation,Consumer Affairs and Railwayshave been working in coordinationwith states to resolve logisticsproblems. States and UTs haveagain been informed that there isno restriction on inter-state andintra-state cargo transportation andthey must ensure passes foremployees of manufacturing unitsof essential commodities. The

State Governments are makingdoor to door delivery of essentialitems in hotspot areas so thatpeople do not have to step out. A representative of IndianCouncil of Medical Researchinformed that over 1.86 lakhsamples have been tested so far,of which 7,953 have been foundpositive for COVID-19. He said, inthe last five days, on average15,747 samples were tested per dayand 584 of those were foundpositive per day. On a question regarding vaccinefor COVID -19, it was told thatover 40 vaccines are underdevelopment but none have reachedthe next stage and as of now, thereis no vaccine.

New Delhi, Apr 13 In the wake of nationallockdown due to Covid-19, theGovernment has extended thebenefit of two per cent InterestSubvention to Banks and three percent Prompt Repayment Incentiveto all farmers upto 31st of Maythis year. The interest subsidy has beenextended to all crop loans upto 3lakh rupees given by banks whichhave become due or are becomingdue between 1st of this month to31st May, 2020. Ministry of

Govt extends crop loan interestbenefits to farmers till May 31

Agriculture said that due torestrictions imposed on movementof people, many farmers are notable to travel to bank branches forpayment of their short term croploan dues. It also said, due torestrictions on movement of peopleand difficulty in timely sale andreceipt of payment of theirproduce, farmers may be facingdifficulties in repayment of theirshort term crop loans falling dueduring this period. The Ministry said, to addressthis problem being faced by

farmers, extension of InterestSubvention and Prompt RepaymentIncentive (PRI) benefit will help thefarmers to repay such loans uptothe extended period at 4 per centper annum interest without attractingany penalty. Government is providingconcessional crop loans to farmersthrough banks with 2 per cent interestsubvention to banks and 3 per centadditional benefit on timely repaymentto farmers thus providing loans upto3 lakh rupees at 4 per cent per annuminterest on timely repayment.

New Delhi, Apr 13 Union Government hasengaged rural women toprepare hand sanitizer,homemade mask and liquiddisinfectant to combat COVID-19. These products will bedistributed among familymembers and poor people in thenearby villages at free of cost. These women prepared about50 litres of hand sanitizer, 160litres of liquid disinfectant whichhave been distributed among the60 women participants and theirfamily members. Secretary of Department ofScience and TechnologyProfessor Ashutosh Sharma said,strong community participationand support are required to tacklethe Covid-19 situation. He said,Self-Help Groups and dedicatedNGOs are creating awareness,introducing relevant solutions,making and distributing

Govt engages rural women to preparehand sanitizer, homemade masks, liquid

disinfectant to combat COVID-19the low-tech items such as masksand disinfectants. Rural Women TechnologyPark under Council ofScientif ic and Industr ialResearch, CSIR-North EastInstitute of Science and

Technology, Jorhat have engagedthese women. Rural womenwere trained to produce homemade mask from traditional'Gamocha'. It has been proposedthat the women will be given 15rupees per mask.

New Delhi, Apr 13 Indian Council of MedicalResearch has said that a total ofone lakh ninety five thousand sevenhundred forty eight samples havebeen tested so far for COVID-19.Yesterday, 15 thousand 583samples were tested. ICMR has scaled up its testingfacilities by giving approval to 156government laboratories and threecollection centres. In addition, 68private laboratories' chains havealso been given approval to coduct

ICMR scales up testing facilities by approving156 govt labs, 3 collection centres

the test for COVID-19. ICMR is expeditiouslyexpanding its COVID-19 testingfacilities in all parts of the country.It has devised its augmented planto fast-track the COVID-19 testinglaboratory. The plan includes,proactive search of potentiallaboratories which could beenabled for COVID-19 testing. Italso includes inviting applicationsfrom all eligible private andgovernment medical colleges. Theplan states that as per directives of

Home Affairs and Health andFamily Welfare Minister, a coreteam under Director, All IndiaInstitute of Medical Sciences,Delhi, Director and DirectorGeneral, ICMR, a total of 14Centres of Excellence have beendesignated. These centres havebeen delegated the responsibility ofmentoring all the government andprivate medical colleges in theircatchment area and eventuallycreating state-of-art molecularvirology setups.

New Delhi, Apr 13 In Punjab, Haryana andChandigarh, the harvesting festivalBaisakhi and Formation Day ofKhalsa Panth was celebrated todaywith same spirit but keeping inmind the Mantra of socialdistancing amid curfew in thestate. People today celebratedBaisakhi in their homes in view ofmeasures being taken to containspread of COVID-19.They performed prayers andprepared dishes like Pakoras andJalebi and enjoyed living indoors.As it is harvesting festival, farmers prayed for best return oftheir produce. They are makingpreparations for the harvesting ofcrops, as procurement will

People celebrate Baisakhi keepingmantra of social distancing in mind

begin tomorrow as announced bythe government in view ofCOVID-19. As the day also commemoratesthe Formation of Khalsa Panth byGuru Gobind Singh, the Kirtan wasperformed at Anandpur SahibGurudwara, Shri Harimandir Sahib,

Damdama Sahib and otherhistorical Gurudwaras. As AkalTakht Jathedaar had already calledthe people to celebrate Baisakhi athomes and Chief Minister has alsoappealed to people to stay at home,few devotees were seen in thehistorical Gurdwaras.

New Delhi, Apr 13Amid the nationwide lockdown,University Grants Commission(UGC) has constituted acommittee to promote onlinelearning.UGC Chairman, Shri. DP Singhsaid it has also formed acommittee to look after theexaminations and academiccalendar in the presentcircumstances. He said under thelockdown situation, it is essentialto think about how the prescribedsyllabus can be completed, what

UGC forms committee to encourageonline learning amid lockdown

type of examination systemwould be followed. He also said, on the basis ofthe committee'srecommendations, which will besubmitted next week, UGC willissue guidelines for universities inconsultation with Union HRDMinistry. He said to maintainsocial distancing, online learningand e-education is the only wayout.UGC Chairman said onlineeducation is need of the hour forstudents, teachers and educationsystem as a whole.

New Delhi, Apr 13 In the wake of COVID-19pandemic, Khadi and VillageIndustries Commission (KVIC)has successfully developed adouble layered Khadi mask and hasprocured orders for supplying itin large quantities. KVIC Chairman, Shri V.K.Saxena said the Commission isspecifically using double twistedKhadi fabric for manufacturing ofthese masks as it helps retain 70per cent of the moisture contentinside, while providing an easypassage for the air to passthrough. Shri Saxena added thatthese masks are special becausethey are made of hand-spun, hand-woven khadi fabric which isbreathable, easy to reuse, washableand biodegradable. Shri Saxena informed that the

KVIC develops double-layered Khadi masks;procures orders for large quantity supply

KVIC has recently bagged an orderto supply 7.5 lakh pieces of KhadiMasks to Jammu and Kashmirgovernment alone in which Fivelakh masks will be supplied toJammu district, One lakh 40thousand to Phulwama , One lakhto Udhampur and 10 thousand toKupwara district. He said the KhadiStitching Center at Nagrotta nearJammu has been turned into a Mask

stitching center, which isproducing 10 thousand masks perday. In One meter Khadi fabric 10double layered masks are beingmade by the KVIC. In order tomake 7.5 lakh masks, around 75thousand meters of Khadi fabricwill be used, which will furtherenhance livelihoods opportunities tothe Khadi artisans.

Tuesday

April 14, 2020 3Stop Global Warming

Protect future generations from the

harmful effects of global warming by

reducing emissions from power plants,

cars, factories and other sources

Shipping : 245555

Women : 1091

Children : 1098

Coast Guard (Search & Rescue) : 1554

District Control Room : 1070 / 238881

Ambulance : 102

Police Control room : 100

Fire Service : 101

Coastal Security : 1093

PBMC Control Room : 245798

State control Room: 1077/234287

Extn : 328 / 231179

Daily Telegrams

You too can help!!

National/International

News

Manipur, Apr 13

Imphal, In Manipur, a new

initiative titled 'Food Bank' has

introduced by Imphal East District

Administration to provide

immediate aid in the form of free

food to the poor and needy who

are facing scarcity of essential

commodities due to the long

statewide lockdown in view of the

threat of Coronavirus disease

(COVID-19).

Distribution of food items,

hand sanitisers and face masks has

already started to Drug

Rehabilitation Centres and people

living with HIV located in Imphal

East District. On the other hand,

many donors from various

sections of society have responded

Food Bank to help the poor and

needy introduced in Manipur

positively to the initiative.

The District Administration also

informed that donation of essential

food items, sanitation and medical aid

related items will be accepted for

further distribution. Officials, who

will be managing the 'Food Bank'

have announced to public and they

will distribute the items after proper

verification of the beneficiaries.

New Delhi, Apr. 13

Information and Broadcasting

Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar

today said that wearing mask is

desirable. In a tweet today, shri

Javadekar said, masks can be

prepared in two minutes by

anyone. He said, he has made it

and other people can also do it.

He shared a video wherein he

was seen making a mask.

Meanwhile, Shri P ra kas h

J avadeka r today s a i d t ha t

media persons should also take

care and follow all precautions

a mi ds t t he CO VID 1 9

Wearing mask is desirable:I&B Minister

pandemic. Talking to media ,

Shr i J a va deka r s a i d medi a

per sons a r e a l so fr on t l ine

workers like doctors, nurses,

pol ice pe r s onnel , and

sanitation workers.

New Delhi, Apr 13

World Bank has praised the

Aarogya Setu app launched by

India to get information on the

Covid-19 pandemic. Citing

example of the app, a World Bank

report said innovative solutions

can greatly help educate and

track contagion across the

populations at large.

South Economic Focus report

of the World Bank said that digital

technology can also be used to

monitor the spread of Covid-19.

It said India recently launched

Aarogya Setu app that uses

location data from persons'

smartphones to tell users if they

have been near someone who

tested positive for Covid-19.

"Innovative solutions can greatlyeducate": World Bank praises India's

Aarogya Setu app

Global tech majors Apple and

Google said on Saturday that they

are building a software into

smartphones that will help in

contact tracing and inform users

whether they were in touch with

Covid-19 infected persons. Reacting

to the development, NITI Aayog

CEO Shri Amitabh Kant said that

India leads the way in contact tracing

for Covid-19. In a tweet he said glad

to see Apple and Google joining

hands to develop contact tracing on

the line of Aarogya Setu.

New Delhi, Apr 13

A digital pipeline has been laid

through linking of Jan-Dhan

accounts as well as other accounts

with the account holders' mobile

numbers and Aadhaar[Jan Dhan-

Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM)]. This

infrastructure pipeline is providing

the necessary backbone for DBT

flows, adoption of social security/

pension schemes, etc.The

Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana

(PMJDY) was launched in August,

2014 with an aim to provide bank

accounts to unbanked persons.

Out of around 126 crore operative

CASA accounts as on 20th March

2020, more than 38 crore have

been opened under PMJDY.

Enablement of interoperable,

speedy and accurate

transactions:

The bank accounts are enabled to

Robust Digital Payment Infrastructure

Enables Prompt Transfer of Cashcarry out both cash and digital

transactions at bank branches,

Business Correspondent (BC)

points, merchant locations and on

internet. Using biometric ID, highly

cost-effective payments solutions

like AePS/ BhimAadhaar Pay have

been created both for banking

services and for retail payments.

The Digital Payment

Ecosystem includes the

following modes:

AePS: helps in cash withdrawal

by using Aadhaar authentication

at branch/BC locations.

BhimAdhaar Pay: enables

payment to merchants using

Aadhaar authentication

RuPay debit cards: As on 31

March 2020, a total of 60.4crore

RuPay cards have been issued

including 29 crore issued in

PMJDY accounts. These cards

could be used at ATMs for cash

withdrawal and at Points of Sale

(PoS)& e-commerce for digital

payments.

UPI: Immediate real time payment

system which helps in both person

to person (P2P) and Person to

Merchant (P2M) transactions.

BBPS: helps in payment of utility

bills through internet & BC

locations both by using cash &

digital modes.

Using the digital payment

infrastructure mentioned above,

more than 30 crore poor people have

received financial assistance of Rs

28,256 crore under the Pradhan

Mantri Garib Kalyan Package

announced by Union Finance

Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman

on 26th March to protect them from

the impact of the lockdown due to

COVID 19.

Washington, Apr 13

In US, University of Houston,

which houses many students from

India, has re-launched its

emergency fund to assist students

facing unexpected financial

hardships due to the COVID-19

pandemic. The Cougar

Emergency Fund is designed to

offer as much as 1,500 US Dollars

University of Houston re-launches fund toprovide financial help to students

affected by COVID-19in support to eligible students for

school-related costs to keep them

enrolled and on track despite

financial hardship caused by the

pandemic. With classes being

delivered online through the

summer, some students are

struggling with technology needs

such as access to Wi-Fi and new

software requirements, while

others have lost income from

work stoppages. Eligible students

include those currently enrolled

in undergraduate or graduate

courses who are in good

standing, with priority given to

those enrolled full time. The fund

is administered through the UH

Office of Scholarships and

Financial Aid.

Singapur, Apr. 13

Singapore has reported 233 new

coronavirus cases reported

yesterday taking the total number

of COVID-19 patients in the city-

state to 2,532. The number includes

59 Indians working in Singapore.

The death toll in the country stands

59 Indians among 2,532 COVID-19patients in Singapore

at eight. Meanwhile, the authorities

further tightened circuit breaker

measures to control the spread of

the deadly disease, recommending

that commuters wear masks on

public transport and closing all

beaches. Markets will also refuse

entry to people not wearing face

masks and food outlets will face

fines if their workers do not wear

masks or face shields. During the

circuit breaker period, which lasts

from April 7 to May 4,

Singaporeans are to leave their

homes only for essential activities

such as buying food and groceries.

New Delhi, Apr 13

President, Shri Ram Nath

Kovind and the Prime Minister,

Shri Narendra Modi today paid

tributes to the freedom fighters

who were martyred at Jallianwala

Bagh on this day. In his message,

the President said, their sacrifice

can never be forgotten by the

nation and their courage and

patriotism continues to inspire

people.

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra

Modi paid tributes to the martyrs

of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre

of 1919, saying their valour will

inspire Indians for years to come.

"I bow to those martyrs who

were killed mercilessly in

Jallianwala Bagh on this day.

We will never forget their

courage and sacrifice," he wrote

President, PM pay tribute to martyrs

of Jallianwala Bagh massacre

on Twitter.

Their valour will inspire

Indians for the years to come, the

Prime Minister said.

Tr oops on t he o r de r s o f

Brigadier Gen Reginald Dyer

had opened f i r e on a la rge

gr oup of peo pl e who ha d

gathered at Jallianwala Bagh,

Amr i t s a r t o ce l eb r a t e

Baisakhi, the harvest festival.

At l e a s t 4 0 0 peopl e we r e

kil led and a thousand were

injured.

Kuwait, Apr. 13

Top oil-producing countries

have agreed to cut output in order

to boost plummeting oil prices

due to the coronavirus crisis and

a Russia-Saudi price war. Kuwait

Oil Minister, Mr. Khaled al-Fadhel

announced the agreement to cut

production by nearly 10 million

barrel per day by OPEC

members starting on May 1st.

OPEC producers, dominated by

Saudi Arabia, and allies led by

Russia, met via video-conference

yesterday for an hour in a last-

ditch effort to cement an accord

struck early Friday that hinged

on Mexico's agreement.

Oil producers agree on deal to cutoutput amid coronavirus crisis

Yesterday's meeting was chaired

by Saudi Energy Minister Prince

Abdulaziz bin Salman and

Russian Energy Minister

Alexander Novak. Oil pr ices

have slumped since the

beginning of the year due to the

COVID-19 pandemic.

New Delhi, Apr 13

Sports Minister, Shri Kiren

Rijiju on Monday visited the

Sports Authority of India 's

headquarter where senior

officials and other essential staff

resumed operations after more

than a for tnight of working

remotely due to the COVID-19

pandemic.

The Minister visited the SAI

headquarters here wearing a

mask and sanitized his hands

before entering the premises.

"The Ministry has started its

office with minimum staff

because work has to go on. We

are ensuring strict compliance of

rules like social distancing,

wearing masks and temperature

checks," Shri Rijiju said. The SAI

office was shut down on March

21 as part of precautionary

measures to contain the virus.

Sports Minister visits SAI headquarters,

essential staff resumes office

All Ministers were on Saturday

asked to resume office from

Monday a long wi th joint

secretary level officers and one-

third of their essential staff.

"Only divisional heads and

30 per cent of the lower

division staff will work on a

rotational basis.

This is being done as per the

centre's order in an effort to

streamline things before the

complete l i f t ing of the

lockdown," a SAI official said

refer r ing to the cur r ent

lockdown.