PNS n HYDERABAD

The Telangana High Court onWednesday once againexpressed its dismay at theindifferent attitude of theTelangana government in con-taining the spread ofCoronavirus and conductingtests for identifying those car-rying the virus.

“As we understand, the gov-ernment is acting in such a waythat the right to life of the peo-ple is curtailed,” a bench of theHigh Court said.

It directed that the govern-ment should submit to thecourt by July 17 all the detailsof its measures to check thevirus.

“Otherwise, Chief Secretary,Principal Secretary (Health),Director of Public Health andCommissioner of Healthshould appear before thecourt,” the bench said.

The court felt that the gov-ernment was defying the direc-tions of the court given in the

past. “If it continues to beindifferent, we have to takeaction under contempt ofcourt,” the bench said.

The High Court wondered

why the government was nottaking up rapid antibody testsof blood samples that wouldgive result within 10 minutes.

HYDERABAD, THURSDAY JULY 2, 2020; PAGES 12 `3

}

RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469

Established 1864Published From

HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOWBHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH

BHUBANESWAR RANCHIDEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA

*LATE CITY VOL. 2 ISSUE 262*Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

Page 11

www.dailypioneer.com

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Enhancing wateruse efficiency inirrigation

5

India to banChinese cos fromhighway projects,says Gadkari

8

Sensex rallies 499 points; |Nifty reclaims10,400 level

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‘CURTAILING THE RIGHTTO LIFE OF PEOPLE'

AP and TS among states withhigh number of active casesPNS n HYDERABAD

For States, running the race fortop positions in EODB is onething and being pushed to thetop slots by default in theirresponse to a pan-demic is quiteanother. TheTelugu states,frontrunners inWorld Bank'sEODB rankings,now have thedubious distinctionof 'topping' the list of stateswith high percentage of activecases.

Although the Telanganagovernment has latched on tothe view that the death rate inthe state is less than the coun-try's average, what is alarming

in informed quarters is theincreasing percentage of activecases in the state. The percent-age of active cases among the

total cases was nearly 53.76 asof Wednesday in Telangana.On the same front, AndhraPradesh is frontrunner with54.19 percent of its cases beingactive among the total cases.

That is, the Telugu stateshave overtaken Covid-19hotspots like Maharashtra,Delhi, Tamil Nadu, whichhave 43.48 per cent , 30.07 percent and 43.13 per cent activecases respectively. The nation-al average of the active cases is37.3 per cent.

While the death rate inTelangana is 1.59 per cent, thedischarge rate is 44.64 percent in the state. With 260deaths and 7,294 discharges inTelangana, the percentages areway below the national average.

Telugu states register positive GST revenue growthPNS n HYDERABAD

Signalling significant recov-ery from the devastatingimpact of Covid-19, the Goodsand Service Tax (GST) collec-tions witnessed a positivegrowth in the two Telugu statesin June 2020, compared to thecorresponding month of thelast fiscal.

On Wednesday, the Ministryof Finance issued details of theJune GST collections, includingthose from all states. Thegross GST collections for Junestood at Rs 90,917 crore at thenational level, about nine percent lower than GST revenue inJune, 2019.

The June GST collectionsare higher than those record-

ed in April and May, the peakmonths of lockdown due toCOVID-19 pandemic.

Andhra Pradesh andTelangana registered a positivegrowth of 6% and 3%, withGST revenues totaling Rs 2,367crore and Rs 3276 crorerespectively.

In contrast, most of thedeveloped mainland andindustrial states have recordeda negative growth in the coun-try. Gujarat, Maharashtra andTamil Nadu are among thestates that have witnessed neg-ative growth.

n AP, TS among few Covid-hit economies that are recoveringPNS n HYDERABAD

With the timely arrival ofsouthwest monsoon this year,the state received 30 per centmore than normal rainfall inJune. However, compared toJune last year, 65 per centexcess rainfall was witnessedthis year.

The month of June experi-enced a rainfall of 171.6 mmas against the normal rainfallof 132 mm. Last year the statewitnessed only 85.7 mm rain-fall which is 35 per cent less.

During the June monthlast year, only four districtsincluding Jagityal,Karimnagar, Hyderabad andJanagoan received more thannormal rainfall.

However, this year

Adilabad district received 12per cent less rainfall, whileJagityal district received 22 percent deficient rainfall.Similarly, Nirmal andKumrambhim Asifabad dis-tricts received 17 per cent and2 per cent deficient rainfallrespectively, while the otherdistricts recorded more thannormal rainfall in the state.

According to the officials ofagriculture department, culti-vation of crops is under processin respect to 35 lakh acres fol-lowing bountiful rainfall.

Meanwhile, Met depart-ment official Raja Rao hasmonitored a weather bulletinindicating showers and thun-der showers in the state onWednesday and Thursday.

REUTERS n OAKLAND, CALIF.

California regulators suedCisco Systems Inc on Tuesday,accusing it of discriminatingagainst an Indian-Americanemployee and allowing him tobe harassed by two managersbecause he was from a lowerIndian caste than them,Reuters reported.

U.S. employment law doesnot specifically bar caste-baseddiscrimination, but California’sDepartment of FairEmployment and Housingcontends in the lawsuit that the

Hindu faith’s lingering castesystem is based on protectedclasses such as religion.

The lawsuit, filed in federalcourt in San Jose, does notname the alleged victim. It states

he has been a principal engineerat Cisco’s San Jose headquarterssince October 2015 and that hewas born at the bottom of castehierarchy as a Dalit, once called“untouchables.”

Like other large SiliconValley employers, Cisco’s work-force includes thousands ofIndian immigrants, most of

whom were born Brahmins orother high castes.

Former Cisco engineeringmanagers Sundar Iyer andRamana Kompella also aredefendants in the lawsuit,which accuses them of harass-ment for internally enforcingthe caste hierarchy.

State

Andhra Pradesh 54.10

Telangana 53.76

Maharashtra 43.48

Tamil Nadu 43.13

West Bengal 31.04

Delhi 30.07

Haryana 29.83

Uttar Pradesh 28.56

Gujarat 21.65

Rajasthan 18.76

% of activecases

The court felt that the government was defyingthe directions of the court given in the past. “If itcontinues to be indifferent, we have to take actionunder contempt of court,” the bench said.

The gross GSTcollections for Junestood at Rs 90,917crore at the nationallevel, about nine per cent lower than GST revenue inJune, 2019.

Like other large Silicon Valley employers,Cisco’s workforce includes thousands ofIndian immigrants, most of whom were bornBrahmins or other high castes.

Now, private trains

PNS n NEW DELHI

The Railways on Wednesdayformally kickstarted its plansto allow private entities tooperate passenger trains on itsnetwork by inviting request forqualifications (RFQ) for par-ticipation on 109 pairs ofroutes through 151 moderntrains, the national trans-porter said.

The project would entail aprivate sector investment ofabout Rs 30,000 crore, thenational transporter said.

This is the first initiative forprivate investment for runningpassenger trains on the IndianRailways network. It began lastyear with the Indian RailwayCatering and TourismCorporation (IRCTC) intro-ducing the Lucknow-DelhiTejas Express.

"The objective of this initia-tive is to introduce moderntechnology rolling stock withreduced maintenance, reducedtransit time, boost job cre-

ation, provide enhanced safe-ty, provide world-class travelexperience to passengers," theRailways said.

The 109 origin-destinationroutes have been formed into12 clusters across the IndianRailway network. Each trainshall have a minimum of 16coaches, it said.

n Indian Rlys begins process to invite pvt playersin passenger train operations; invites RFQs

n High Court raps State Government over handling of coronavirus

BE/BTech classes unlikely from Sep 1 PNS n HYDERABAD

There is no leeway for con-ducting classes fromSeptember 1 for BE/B Techstudents. It is easier said thandone, going by the postpone-ment of EAMCET and othercommon entrance tests forthe second time in view of theCovid-19 threat. Followingthe revised schedules, various

key entrance examinations aregoing to be held between July1 and August 10.

At a top-level reviewheld by EducationMinister Sabita IndraReddy with higherauthorities on June 18,it was felt that the newacademic year should com-mence from September 1.

According to experts, it is

highly unlikely that classeswould commence from

September 1 if entranceexaminations are to beheld in the second weekof August. Declaringresults and conduct ofcounselling for students

seeking admission to BEcourses will further delay the

conduct of classes.

Discoms defer ARRfiling once again PNS n HYDERABAD

The Discoms have not submit-ted their Annual RevenueRequirement (ARR) report tothe Electricity RegulatoryCommission, though they weresupposed to do it by June 30.

The ARRreport, alongwith propos-als forupward revi-sion of tariff,could not sub-mitted to the ERCapparently because it has notbeen approved by the ChiefMinister.

The DISCOMs have goneon record that the ARR wouldbe submitted upon approvalby the Chief Minister. That is,there can be no hike in the tar-iff if the Chief Minister isagainst it.

Record 1,018 newcases in TS, 7 dieM

ore than 1000 freshCovid-19 positive cases

per day seems to be the 'newnorm' in TS, which reported1,018 cases on Wednesday,pushing its Covid-19 tally to17,357. The state recorded itsprevious high of 1,087 onJune 27. The state’s death tollreached 267, with seven moredeaths being reported onWednesday. There are 9,008active cases in the state now.GHMC area reported 881cases, again becoming thehighest contributor to theday’s tally of 1,018 positives.In all, 33 people fromRangareddy and 36 fromMedchal also tested positive.Twenty-one districts in thestate reported coronaviruscases on Wednesday.

China deploys twomore divisions oftroops across LACPNS n NEW DELHI

Even as Indian and Chinesemilitaries talk to de-escalateand disengage at borders ineastern Ladakh, Indian intel-ligence agencies said onWednesday that ChinesePeople's Liberation Army hasbrought in troops of twomore divisions across Line ofActual Control at disputedareas.

This will escalate the mat-ter even though SouthXinjiang military chiefMajor-General Liu Lin hadagreed to disengage troopsfrom Galwan Valley duringtalks with Indian counter-part, Lieutenant GeneralHarinder Singh, the com-mander of Leh-based XIVcorps.

With 6 lakh Coronavirus cases, Indiaset to become 3rd most infected countryNEW DELHI: India has crossed the 6-lakhmark in coronavirus cases, with the additionof a chunk of new patients from Maharashtra,Tamil Nadu and Delhi. The total is now6,00,032 -- roughly 50,000 cases behindRussia, which is the third worst suffererfrom coronavirus. Russia is preceded byBrazil, which has more than 14 lakh casesand the US, which has over 26 lakh cases.

6,04,808

17,848

Confirmed

Deaths

TS receives 30%excess rainfall in June

The project wouldentail a privatesector investment ofabout Rs 30,000crore, the nationaltransporter said.

Cisco faces charges of job discrimination based on ‘Indian’ caste

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MONEY 8GST COLLECTION IN JUNE AT

RS 90K CR, Q1 MOP UP DIPS 59%

OPINION 6STAND UP TO THE

DRAGON

SPORTS 12MANOHAR STEPS DOWN

AS ICC CHAIRMAN

INTRODUCINGSHIVANI ASVENNELA

GOLD PRICES HIT ALL-TIMEHIGH, REACH RS 48,871

PRIYANKA VADRA ASKED TO VACATEGOVT BUNGALOW BY AUGUST 1

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been asked to vacate hergovernment bungalow in Delhi by August 1. A government notice said today

that her allotment stands cancelled from today. In a letter, the Ministry of Housingand Urban Affairs has asked Priyanka to exit the bungalow on Lodhi Road in oneof the most protected zones of Delhi as she no longer has SpecialProtection Group security. "Consequent upon withdrawal of SPGprotection and grant of Z+ security cover by Ministry of Home Affairs,which does not have provision for allotment/retention of governmentaccommodation on security ground to you, the allotment of Type 6Bhouse number 35, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi is hereby cancelledwith effect from 01/07/2020," said the ministry's notice.

PATANJALI CAN SELL ITS DRUG BUTNOT AS ‘CURE’ TO COVID-19

Yoga guru Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved on Wednesday said there areno AYUSH Ministry restrictions on selling Coronil, a drug the

company recently launched as a medicine for COVID-19 but is nowcalling it a product to manage the disease. The Unionministry confirmed that Patanjali can sell the product but notas a cure for COVID-19. AYUSH Ministry has only givenpermission to sell this particular formulation as immunitybooster and not as a medicinal cure for COVID-19, it said.At a press conference in Haridwar, Ramdev claimedthe ministry has said that Patanjali did an anappropriate job for COVID-19 management .

Gold hit an all-time high on Wednesday with futures trading at Rs48,871 per 10 gm as the demand for the safe haven asset continued

to soar with the Covid-19 global shocks and economic uncertaintyhammering down business sentiments. "Gold surged to its highest innearly 8 years on Tuesday as mounting fears of a resurgence of newcoronavirus cases kept safe haven demandfor gold alive, setting the preciousmetal on path for its biggestquarterly gain since March 2016.Gold has given a return of 20 percent in 2020 so far.

The US is witnessing a wave of bankruptcies of erstwhile storied namesespecially in the retail and energy sector due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The bankruptcies this year due to Covid-19 have already gone past thenumber and volume seen in 2008, the year of the global Financial Crisis.The biggest bankruptcy has been Hertz, the car rental company. The otherbig bankruptcies include Latam Airlines, FrontierCommunications, Intelsat, McDermott International,Whiting Petroleum, Avianca Holdings, Diamond OffshoreDrilling, Extraction Oil and Gas, Hornbeck Offshore,Foresight Services, Unit Corporation, Chuck E Cheese,Stage Stores, LSC Communications, Quorum Health.

US HIT BY WAVE OF BIG-TICKET BANKRUPTCIES

HHYYDDEERRAABBAADDWWEEAATTHHEERR

Current Weather ConditionsUpdated July 01, 2020 5:00 PM

AALLMMAANNAACC

TODAY

Month & Paksham:

Ashadha & Shukla Paksha

Panchangam

Tithi : Dwadashi: 03:16 pm

Nakshatram :Anuradha: 01:13 am

(Next Day)

Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start

any important work)

Rahukalam: 01:57 pm – 03:35 pm

Yamagandam: 05:49 am – 07:27 am

Varjyam: 06:20 am – 07:51 am

Gulika: 09:04 am - 10:42 am

Good Time: (to start any important work)

Amritakalam: 03:24 pm – 04:55 pm

Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:54 am – 12:46 pm

FFoorreeccaasstt:: HazeTemp: 32/24Humidity: 70%Sunrise: 05.45 amSunset: 06.54 pm

Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Phone: 040-23322341, Hyderabad Office: F-502, Diamond Block, Lumbini Rockdale, Somajiguda, Hyderabad - 500 082. Telangana. Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, Plot No.19, IDA Balanagar , Hyderbad-500037, Medchal -Malkajgiri District, Telangana. Chief Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00.

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HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | JULY 2, 2020 hyderabad 02

EGG

RATES

` 50,490 (10 gm) ̀10

GOLD

` 48,560 (1kg)` 110

HYDERABAD 346

VIJAYAWADA 364

VISAKHAPATNAM 349

RREETTAAIILL PPRRIICCEE `̀33..6600

SILVER

HYDERABAD

BULLION RATES

`̀//110000

CHICKEN

RATES

Dressed/With Skin `165

Without Skin `188

Broiler at Farm `114

`̀//KKGG

(IN HYDERABAD)

Notwithstanding theusual western bias indenying credit to India,

irrigation is an ancient sciencepracticed in the subcontinentfrom time immemorial.

However, the history ofmodern day irrigation beginswhen British introduced a def-inite irrigation policy in 1854with the setting up of PublicWorks Department and insti-tuting a separate fund for irri-gation works. India has madesignificant progress since then.

Why is irrigationimportant ?

Water is one of the criticalingredients for plants growth.Based on availability of waterin the lean period, agriculturecould be classified as rain-fedor irrigated. Irrigation ensureswater to crops in differentspells over and above what isreceived during the rainfall.

Taking water from a sourceto farmers fields could be

achieved in a number of ways.While rain-fed farming solelydepends on rainfall, irrigationis application of water from asource to the land or soil.Irrigation assists in growingagricultural crops, mainte-nance of orchards, and reveg-etation of disturbed soils in dryareas and during periods ofinadequate rainfall.

It significantly reduces risksassociated with farming andother relevant sectors.Adequacy of water also enablesmultiple crops in a year.

Irrigation can be from sur-face or ground water or a mixof sources. Surface irrigation isthe oldest form of irrigationand has been practised forthousands of years. In surfaceirrigation systems, water movesacross the surface of an agricul-

tural lands in order to wet itand infiltrate into the soil.

Another classification ofirrigation systems is in termsof ‘gravity’ and ‘lift’. Irrigationby gravity is considered sus-tainable. We can also make liftirrigation progressively sus-tainable by using equivalentsolar power.

What is the extent ofirrigated area in India?

Due to terms namely, irriga-tion potential created and

utilised, there remains someambiguity in reported figuresof total gross and net cultivat-ed area by different depart-ments. In India about 80 percent of fresh water is used forirrigation making it nearly48.8 per cent of 140 millionhectare (mha) agriculturalland. The rest is rain-fed. Ingood old days, there was plen-ty of water in comparison to itsdemand. However, thedemand of water is everincreasing due to population

growth and improved lifestyles. Overall demand for water is

more than the current supplyin India. That calls for moreefficient use of water in irriga-

tion sector in India. Water is valuable and water

lifted is even more so. There is a pressing need to use

water more prudently and effi-ciently in the states like Telangana,largely dependent on lift irriga-tion systems. In fact, equal atten-tion is required at each of the twocomponents namely, ‘water dis-tribution efficiency from sourceto farmers’ fields and ‘on formwater use efficiency’.

As per available studies,overall water use efficiency inirrigation sector is about 32 percent. It means that if one tmcft of water is released at thesource, only 0.32 tmc ft wateris used by crops with ‘distrib-ution efficiency between 50 percent to 70 per cent’ and ‘onform water use efficiency ofabout 50 per cent to 60 per

cent’ in an open canal irriga-tion system.

Every percentage point effi-ciency improvement leads tosaving of lakhs of power unitsin a lift irrigation system.Improvement of irrigation effi-ciency is equally relevant forgravity systems. Imagine sav-ings of water in a state likeUttar Pradesh with a canal net-work of 75,000 kilometresserving 1.81 crore farmers.

We need to strive for anideal situation where farmershould be able to demand irri-gation water like differentpackages offered by telecomcompanies at a specified time,duration and flow rates.

As a first step in this direc-tion, it is, therefore, necessaryto take a holistic approach byplugging leakages, seepages

and minimising evapotran-spiration losses. It is are pru-dent to establish a propermanagement system based onthe crop water requirement.Human knowledge needs to besupported by a network of ‘soilmoisture sensors’ and ‘satelliteimageries’ to determine preciseirrigation water requirement.

Water Resources / I&CADdepartments of the states shouldgear up to be in a position toprovide water on demand fordifferent crops throughautonomous irrigation systems.

We should conduct morestudies to come to a conclu-sion to opt for ‘open canal’versus ‘piped irrigation’ sys-tems. It is now time to movetowards achieving higherwater use efficiency in theIrrigation sector.

SHAILENDRA KUMAR JOSHI

FORMER CHIEF SECRETARY

OF TELANGANA

ADVISOR OF TELANGANA

GOVERNMENT.

Enhancing water use efficiency in irrigationIt significantly reduces risks associatedwith farming and other relevant sectors.Adequacy of water also enables multiplecrops in a year.

LOCKDOWN PROPOSAL

Officials gear up as peopleflee to native placesPV KONDAL RAO

n WARANGAL

The proposal to clamp yetanother phase of completelockdown in the capital and itssurroundings is throwing seri-ous challenge to the districts inTelangana.

As most of the people wouldreturn to their native placessubsequent to the decision ofthe government, the districtadministrations as well as thevillage panchayats are takingthe matter seriously.

The authorities opine thatan influx into the districtswould ultimately pose chal-lenge to the medical andhealth department in the dis-tricts as the number of posi-tive cases would witness asudden spike due to reversemigration.

Some of the sarpanches saythat people from city will bewelcomed to their native placesonly if they opt for a strict iso-lation cum quarantine in theirrespective villages.

Officials of village panchay-ats have already plannedmeticulous quarantine sched-ule for the people visiting vil-lages from Hyderabad.

The north Telangana dis-

tricts are keen on undertakinga meticulous survey cum sta-tistical data of the reversemigration. They are keen onsending all the migrants to takeCovid-19 test and quarantinesimultaneously.

Some districts like Warangaland Jangaon have alerted themachineries to secure thedetails of the people commut-ing to Hyderabad on a daily

basis. They say that the com-muters going to attend to theirduties would be guided totake necessary precautions tocontain the spurt of the casesin the rural parts.

The administrations at thedistrict level are keen onimposing strict guidelines inrural and urban parts to min-imise the occurrence of thecases.

Officials of village panchayat opinethat people from city will bewelcomed to their native places onlyif they opt for a strict isolation cumquarantine in their respective villages

Mixed emotions from small-town TikTokersPNS n LUCKNOW

By the time the governmentbanned Chinese video-sharingapp TikTok on Monday, alongwith 58 others from that coun-try, India was the app's topmarket, accounting for 30 percent of its two billion down-loads worldwide. TikTok's par-ent company - ByteDance - hadlaid out plans to invest $1 bil-lion in the country and hadhired several senior executivessince 2019.

TikTok India, with some120 million active users, isparticularly popular in smalltowns, where the app and itscontent allowed users a plat-form to express themselvesand their dreams, and reachout to the "mainstream". Fameand popularity, they felt, weretheirs if they could grab the

viewer's attention.In Uttar Pradesh's Kanauj, a

small town known for its per-fume industry and located 120km west of state capitalLucknow, four young graduatesin their early 20s - Athar,Mohammed Daud, Faisal andJamshed - are still looking forjobs. The four are also popularon TikTok, with over 20,000

followers each.Now, they say, there is no

option but to move on, askingonly for an alternate space toshowcase their talents.

"A place like Kannauj is asmall town. If there was aplace to showcase our talent, itwas TikTok. Nothing else couldmake us popular. We wererecognised in our town and in

places like Lucknow. (But)whatever Modiji has done isabsolutely right. we have noproblems," Faisal said, inbetween shooting for a video ina mango orchard on the out-skirts of town.

However, he also had arequest for the government.

"The government shouldthink about us so the hiddentalent of people can come out.TikTok gave us a new identity,"he said.

The app was one of India'smost downloaded as tens ofthousands of people from TierII and II towns and even vil-lages shooting 15-secondvideos and aiming to becomethe next social media sensa-tions. Across Kannauj andmany other towns in UPTikTok users made thesevideos in multiple dialects,including Haryanvi and evenBhojpuri. Videos were made indiffering styles - a populardialogue from a film, a chore-ographed dance routine to asong or even just as "timepass".

"For us small town peopleTikTok was a way of commu-nicating our love to others. Wewill use Indian apps and putour videos out there, but ourwork will go on," Nabeel, ex-TikTok star from west UPwith 3,589 followers, said.

Now, they say,there is no optionbut to move on,asking only for analternate space toshowcase theirtalents.

‘Curtailing the right to life of people’Continued from Page 1

“How many units did the gov-ernment buy and why werethese tests not done till now?”the court asked.

Counsels for petitionersChikkudu Prabhakar andSriranga Poojitha brought tothe notice of the court that thegovernment had committed toconduct 50,000 tests in 10days, but no tests were con-ducted for three days.

Angered at this, the HighCourt bench asked the gov-ernment as to how many testswere conducted between May23 and June 23. “How many

samples were collected fromprimary and secondary con-tacts and how many tests wereconducted as per ICMR guide-lines,” the court asked.

Hearing a petition on lackof medical gear for the front-line warriors and low testing,the High Court questioned theAG on how many PPE, N95masks and other items ofequipment were provided tothe doctors and medical healthworkers in the combat againstCovid-19.

The High Court directedthe State government toinform the court by July 17 asto how many PPE kits, N-95

masks and gloves have beengiven so far given to the doc-tors, nurses and paramedicalstaff involved in treatingCoronavirus-affected people.

The petitioner argued thatthe state government has

failed to supply the requirednumber of Personal ProtectiveEquipment (PPE) kits andother protective gear to thedoctors and other medicalstaff despite the court's direc-tions.

The court had also takennote of the low COVID-19testing rates in the state. TheHigh Court questioned thestate government on howmany tests were conductedand how many samples weretaken during a month’s periodbetween May 23 to June 23.

The court also asked thestate government to increasecorona testing by using RATin view of rise in Covid-19cases in the state. Further, thecourt also directed the govern-ment to submit a report on theefforts initiated to trace prima-ry and secondary contacts ofthe infected people.

Record 1,018 new cases... in TS, 7 dieW

ith 788 discharges on Wednesday, in all 8,082 persons havebeen discharged upon recovery so far. The spike in the

numbers has been attributed to increased testing by the Telanganagovernment. Every 4th person who took the test turned out to bepositive. Of the 4,234 samples tested, 1018 proved positive. At24%, the test positivity rate has been causing concern in informedquarters. The state has conducted 92,797 tests so far.

China deploys two...

Discoms...Continued from Page 1

The DISCOMs are going topropose hike in tariff onlyafter knowing CM’s mind. Asthings stand, even if propos-als to hike the tariff are to besubmitted, the process wouldtake 45 days after gatheringpublic opinion.

Continued from Page 1

"In total, China has deployedaround 24,000 soldiers more inEastern Ladakh region," saidsources, adding that a divisioncomprises of 12,000 soldiers.Sources further stated that theChinese forces have alsobrought in heavy guns, tanksand fighter aircraft across theLine of Actual Control in a bidto aggravate the border situation.

Telugu states register positive ...Continued from Page 1

The revenues during the finan-cial year were negativelyimpacted by COVID-19: first-ly, due to the economic impactof the pandemic; and, second-ly due to the relaxations givenby the Government in filing ofreturns and payment of taxeson account of the pandemic.However, figures for the pastthree months show recovery inGST revenues.

The gross GST revenue col-lected in the month of June,2020 is Rs. 90,917 crore, ofwhich CGST is Rs. 18,980crore, SGST is Rs. 23,970 crore,IGST is Rs. 40,302 crore(including Rs. 15,709 crorecollected on import of goods),and cess Rs.7,665 crore

(including Rs. 607 crore col-lected on import of goods).

The Government has settledRs. 13,325 crore towards CGSTand Rs. 11,117 crore towardsSGST from IGST as part ofregular settlements. The totalrevenues earned by the CentralGovernment and the StateGovernments after regular set-tlement in the month of June2020 is Rs. 32,305 crore forCGST and Rs. 35,087 crore forSGST.The revenues for themonth are 91% of the GST rev-enues in the same month lastyear. During the month, therevenues from import of goodswere 71% and the revenuesfrom domestic transactions(including import of services)were 97% of the revenues fromthese sources during the same

month last year.During the month of June,

returns of February, March andApril 2020 have also beenfiled in addition to somereturns of May 2020 since theGovernment has allowed arelaxed time schedule for filingof GST returns. Some returnsof May 2020, which wouldhave otherwise got filed in June2020, will get filed during thefirst few days of July 2020.

The GST collections for themonth of April was Rs. 32,294crore, which was 28% of therevenue collected during thesame month last year; and theGST collections for the monthof May was Rs. 62,009 crore,which was 62% of the revenuecollected during the samemonth last year.

BE/BTech classesunlikely from Sep 1 Continued from Page 1

It is a different matter that stu-dents are experiencing anxiousmoments since the completionof Intermediate Second YearExaminations in the thirdweek of March. In fact, EAM-CET should have been held inthe first week of May. The JEEMain should have been held inApril and the JEE Advanced inMay. No entrance examina-tions are scheduled for Juneand July. The entrance examscould be held in August.

Intermediate students arenevertheless preparing forNEET and EAMCET. Theymay have to do so till August,though as yet there are noindications of when the exam-inations would be held.

As per the previous sched-ule, ECET should have beenheld on May 2 and EAMCETon May 4. In fact, all common

entrance examinations weresupposed to be over by May-end. However, in view Corona,the entrance tests were post-poned and rescheduled to beheld from July 1. These exam-inations have been put offagain.

According to TCS iON, theentrance tests will be held inthe second week of August.The same organisation con-ducts the online entrance testsin AP too. The Government ofAP conducts the examina-tions from July 27 up toAugust 10. The TCS iON rep-resentatives communicatedthe same to the TelanganaCouncil for Higher Educationrecently.

Over 55,000 have appliedfor I-CET, 5,500 for the PE-CET, 20,000 for the PG-CET,29,000 for LAWCET, 28,000for ECET and 44,000 for ED-CET.

Now, private trainsContinued from Page 1

The Railways also said thatmajority of these moderntrains are to be manufacturedin India as Make in India' andthe private entity shall beresponsible for financing,procuring, operating andmaintaining the trains.

"Trains shall be designedfor a maximum speed of 160kmph. There would be a sub-stantial reduction in journeytime.

The running time taken bya train shall be comparable toor faster than the fastest trainof the Indian Railways oper-ating in the respective route,it said.

The concession period forthe project shall be 35 years

and the private entity shallpay the Indian Railways fixedhaulage charges, energycharges as per actual con-sumption and a share in grossrevenue determined througha transparent bidding process,the transporter said.

These trains shall be oper-ated by the driver and guardof Indian Railways.

The operation of the trainsby the private entity shallconform to the key perfor-mance indicators like punctu-ality, reliability, upkeep oftrains etc, the Railways said.

Operation and mainte-nance of the passenger trainswould be governed by stan-dards and specifications, andrequirements specified byIndian Railways, it said.

AP and TS among statesContinued from Page 1

Likewise, Andhra Pradesh hasrecorded 187 deaths and 6,511discharges.

While the death rate inAndhra Pradesh is 1.28 per-cent, the discharge rate is 44.61per cent. This is way below thenational average.

The data has been extractedfrom MOHFW website.Overall, the recovered cases

outnumbered active ones. Union Health Minister Dr.

Harsh Vardhan said, “As aresult of the coordinated stepstaken by the Ministry ofHealth in India along withStates/Union Territories forcontainment and managementof Coronavirus, the recoveryrate further increased to59.43%.

Recovered cases exceedactive cases by 1.30 lakh”.

TS receives30% excessrainfall in julyContinued from Page 1

Meanwhile, the reports of thehighest rainfall recorded atvarious places in the state inthe past 24 hours till 8 am onTuesday are Mulkalapalli inBhadradri district - 14 cm,Yacharam in Rangareddy dis-trict - 11.2 cm and Velgondain Wanaparty district - 9.2cm.

On Tuesday, Islampur inMedak district received 78cm of rainfall, while Sirgapurin Sangareddy districtreceived only 7 cm of rainfall.

Cisco faces charges of jobdiscrimination based...Continued from Page 1

Cisco spokeswoman RobynBlum said the network gearmaker followed its process toinvestigate employee concernsin this case and would “vigor-ously defend itself” against thelawsuit.

“We were fully in compli-ance with all laws as well asour own policies.”

Iyer and Kompella did notimmediately respond torequests for comment. It wasnot immediately known if thetwo have retained attorneys.

The civil rights groupEquality Labs in a 2018 report

cited in the lawsuit foundthat 67% of Dalits surveyedfelt treated unfairly at theirU.S. workplaces. At Cisco, theunnamed employee reportedIyer to human resources inNovember 2016 for outinghim as a Dalit to colleagues.Iyer allegedly retaliated, butCisco determined caste dis-crimination was not illegaland issues continued through2018, the lawsuit states.

Cisco reassigned and isolat-ed the employee, rejected araise and opportunities thatwould have led to one anddenied two promotions,according to the lawsuit.

HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | JULY 2, 2020 hyderabad 03

RIME ORNERC

Man hangs self over depression

HYDERABAD: A 20-year-old manallegedly hanged himself todeath from a tree in Jubilee Hillson Wednesday morning.According to the police, thedeceased, identified as B Ashok,20, was a resident ofKarmikanagar in Jubilee Hillspolice station limits. He wasstaying along with his brotherafter the death of their parents afew months ago. "On Wednesdaymorning, his body was foundhanging to a tree in an open plotnear his house by local people,"said the police, adding that theyhave shifted the body toOsmania General Hospitalmortuary for postmortemexamination. "Family memberssay Ashok was depressed afterthe death of his parents and hadgot addicted to liquor. OnWednesday morning, he wasfound hanging and the familysuspect that he might haveslipped into depression andended his life," added the police.A case has been registered andinvestigation is on.

4 booked fortrespassing

HYDERABAD: The Alwal policebooked a case against fourpersons on charges of allegedlytrespassing into a property andtaking up illegal constructionafter assaulting the watchmanhere on Wednesday. Accordingto the police, the men wereidentified as M Janardhan Reddy,Subash Chander Goud, TDevender Reddy, T KrishnaReddy and others. "They bargedinto the land situated in Alwalalong with a proclainer andstarted construction activity.When the watchman confrontedthem, he was allegedly abusedand assaulted apart fromdamaging his room" said thepolice. Based on the complaintfrom N Mohan Reddy, the ownerof the land, a case was bookedand being investigated.

Fire breaks out in MNJ hospital

HYDERABAD: A fire broke out atthe MNJ Institute of OncologyRegional Cancer Hospital atLakdikapul on Wednesdaymorning. No casualties werereported, officials said.According to the fire officials, thefire broke out in the blood bankon the ground floor of thehospital, following which the firecontrol room received a distresscall at 8.30 am. "Immediately afire tender from the Assemblyfire station was rushed to thespot followed by another vehiclefrom the Secretariat fire station.The fire was put out within halfan hour," fire officials said. As aprecautionary measure, the staffat the hospital along with thelocal police immediatelyevacuated the persons on the topfloors in the hospital.

PNS n HYDERABAD

The pace, at which the numberof Coronavirus cases increas-ing in Hyderabad, is nowhereclose to the containment mea-sures being taken up by theGreater Hyderabad MunicipalCorporation (GHMC).

Despite multiple personsbeing tested positive in anapartment, the corporationdoesn't feel the need to take upsanitisation drives. The issueremains unaddressed evenafter the residents raised sev-eral requests to sanitise theirapartments. No amount ofescalation or intervention fromhigher officials seems to beworking.

Sanitisation personnel willbe deployed to areas theCentral team will be visiting,but the ground reality is differ-ent.

Several occupants in apart-ments and gated communitiesare sanitising their premises bythemselves in the city afterrepeated requests to the offi-cials to sanitise their premisesgo vain. Officials are citinghelplessness and are urgingpublic to use disinfectants usedat home for cleaning apart-ments and surroundings.

Sources said that the govern-ment has taken up multiple ini-tiatives like plantation drive,

tax collection, stopping season-al diseases, monsoon-relatedduties and so there is shortageof manpower.

Furthermore, nearly 40staffers working inEntomology wing reportedlytested positive for Coronavirus.This led to panic among staffto take up containment mea-sures. Sources said that someof the employees are wary totake up containment mea-sures. The first case of

Coronavirus among theGHMC staff happened inKapra Circle and later eight ofthem reportedly tested positive.Later, the virus spread its ten-tacles to LB Nagar, Charminarand Secunderabad zones.

As many as 14 employees inentomology wing tested posi-tive for virus in Malkajgiri.

"The idea of containmentmeasures is to up the morale,but the city reports more than800 cases daily and it's impos-

sible for the entomology staffto attend all the houses everyday," sources said.

Moreover, sources allege thatthe government extended step-motherly treatment towardsEntomology wing. While theEV&DM wing is equippedwith good equipment, theircontainment measures are con-fined to main roads. TheEntomology wing which isnot even sufficiently equippedhas to take care of all the areas.Sources indicate that duringlockdown 1.0, EV&DMsprayed disinfectants even nearHussain Sagar when there wasno public, wasting publicmoney and was confined tomere propaganda.

PNS n HYDERABAD

The University of Hyderabad(UoH) study entitled "Impactof Covid-19 and 1918 flu pan-demic (H1N1 virus) in India"within a three-week periodfrom June 12 to 30, 2020. Thestudy was done on the requestof University GrantsCommission (UGC).

To understand the impact ofthe current Covid-19 pandem-ic among the rural communi-ties, UoH surveyed 342 house-holds, interviewed by 36 fieldinvestigators.

Five villages namely Tellapur,Osman Nagar, Kolluru,Velmula and Vattinagulapallyof Ranga Reddy andSangareddy District ofTelangana state was selected by

virtue of its area within the fieldpractice limits of the universi-ty's' response to its socialresponsibility activities.

A mixed-methods approachwas deployed using a question-

naire and an interview guidethat had both quantitative andqualitative inquiry methods tocapture primary informationfrom the communities. Fieldnotes, audio and video record-ings were also transcribed tosupport the data collectionmodalities.

Based on the findings, theUniversity made broad recom-

mendations related to life,livelihood and living.

Largely, securing goodhealth involves available,affordable, accessible, account-able and acceptable qualityhealth care services that istimely and well supplementedand supported by improve-ment in living conditions tofoster better quality of life.

These critical forces are pred-icated on a robust, holisticand comprehensive participa-tory planning betweenproviders and beneficiaries.

They also recommendedthat the gaps in knowledgerelated to health aspects ofCovid-19 within the studiedcommunities should beaddressed by democratisationof knowledge - this may entailflow of information from pro-fessionals to the public throughsensitisation and awarenessprogrammes using engagingcommunication and locallyrelevant methods with com-munity participation.

They also found thatimprovement in living condi-tions entails ensuring properhousing with proper facilities.

Understanding community awareness

Containment measuresgo for a toss in GHMC

Nearly 40staffers workingin Entomologywing reportedlytested positivefor Coronavirus.This led to panicamong staff totake upcontainmentmeasures

STORY OF COVID SURVIVOR

Your immune system is vaccine,a doc shares her Corona episodeNAVEENA GHANATE n HYDERABAD

Away from home, radiologyresident Dr A Sahithi whotested positive forCoronavirus 10 days agosays, 'It was me and myshoulder'.

She contracted the virusfrom a colleague at MGMhospital in Warangal. Oncethe reports of positive casesfrom the hospital startedcoming in, there was alreadypanic around them. DrSahithi says, "My colleaguewas symptomatic and twodays after I was showingsymptoms, I got tested. Ihad all the symptoms ofCovid-19 including fever,headache, cold, myalgia.When the reports turned outto be positive, I had a panicattack but then as I startedgoing through the process, Irealised I wasn't alone. Therewere about 20 PGs in the iso-lation ward the next day."

She took treatment for hersymptoms like paracetamolfor fever, Azithromycin forsore throat. The resident doc-tor, from Hyderabad, is pur-suing her education inWarangal staying in the col-

lege hostel. Her parents inHyderabad were terrified andwanted to be with her. Dr

Sahithi says, "It is mentallydraining, when you are awayfrom home. I did break downa couple of times and allthrough it was me and myshoulder. My parents wantedto come and take care of me,indifferent over contractingthe infection. I didn't want torisk their health and ensuredthey stayed at home.Thankfully, our faculty usedto send us some really goodfood as the hostel food was-n't appetising".

As the symptoms began tosubside, the doctor engagedin activities - including study-ing and binge watchingonline series. Dr Sahithi said,"We had a dedicated hostelfor Covid-19 PGs and interns.After 10 days, I have shiftedto another hostel which issimilar to home isolation andwill be here for 21 days."

As she comes out of isola-tion, Dr Sahithi said, "Thereis nothing to worry as longas you have no comorbidi-ties. There is clearly no needto panic. Your immune sys-tem is your vaccine todayapart from following threerules - wear mask, maintainphysical distance and ensurehygiene".

It is mentallydraining. I did

break down acouple of times and allthrough it was me andmy shoulder. My parentswanted to come and takecare of me, indifferentover contracting theinfection.

— DR SAHITHI

PNS n HYDERABAD

With Corona cases mountingevery day and most states can-celling all examinations, a pleahas been filed in the SupremeCourt by the parents of stu-dents who are applicants forthe NEET UG 2020 settled inDoha, Qatar, challenging theKerala High Court's dismissalof a plea for allotment ofNEET centres overseas or theexam's postponement untilthe Covid epidemic passes.

This plea, filed throughadvocate Pallavi Pratap, statesthat there are 4,000 such stu-dents registered with NEET-UG from Qatar in the MiddleEast who are facing difficultiesin getting their documentsattested from the Embassy ofIndia in Qatar.

The petitioner states thatearlier the NEET exams werescheduled to be held in May2020. However, due to thepandemic, the exams wererescheduled to July 26. Thestudents had already bookedtheir tickets for India to partic-

ipate in their exam. However,since there is a ban on interna-tional travel by the MHA, it isnot feasible for the students toattend the exam in India.

The said petition seekingdirections to this end to theCentre and the NTA moved byAbdul Azeez, general secretary,Kerala Muslim Culture Centre,Qatar, was rejected by a HighCourt Division Bench of ChiefJustice S Manikumar andJustice Shaji P Chaly yesterday.

The MCI and other author-ities submitted in the HighCourt that overseas test centreswere not feasible. The Centrealso informed the court thatstudents could be broughtback to the state by followingthe guidelines prescribed foroverseas Indians.

NEET aspirants approach SCseeking exam centres abroad

PNS n HYDERABAD

The Karkhana Police arrest-ed three persons who hadstolen a Ferrari worth Rs 2crore from a businessman'sresidence in Secunderabad.

The arrested persons wereidentified as Bhupender,Raghuram and Saddam.

According to the police,the businessman, DiveshGandhi had purchased theFerrari from a resident ofKerala, through an agent,Nilesh Sharma fromHyderabad. Sharma was alsoresponsible for the vehicleregistration.

Gandhi gave Sharma allthe car's documents to get itregistered in Delhi. Sharmathen approached anothermiddleman, Prince Pathakfrom Delhi for getting theregistration work done.However, Pathak forged thedocuments and got the carregistered in the name of oneof his associates, Bilal.

A few months later, Bilalsent Bhupender, Raghuramand Saddam to Hyderabad.The three went to Gandhi'sresidence and when ques-tioned by Gandhi’s wife, theyclaimed that they were sentby Gandhi to take the car forrepairs. She handed over thecar's keys. The victim lodgeda complaint with the policeafter realising foul play. Basedon CCTV footage, policetraced the car and appre-hended them. An investiga-tion into racket has begun.

PNS n HYDERABAD

The state government onWednesday revised the lock-down guidelines prohibitingmovement of persons, exceptfor emergency medical care,between 10 pm and 5 am.Further, no shops and estab-lishments, except hospitalsand pharmacies, will remainopen after 9.30 pm.

Chief Secretary SomeshKumar issued orders to thiseffect on Wednesday.

However, movement of per-sons for operation of industri-al units in multiple shifts,movement of persons onNational and State Highways,loading and unloading ofcargo and travel of persons totheir destinations after disem-

barking from buses, trainsand airplanes, will be permit-ted during the prohibitedhours.

The fresh guidelines willremain in force till July 31.

The revised guidelines havebeen issued in accordancewith the orders of the UnionMinistry of Home Affairsextending lockdown in con-tainment zones till July 31,along with reopening of activ-ities in a calibrated manner inareas outside containmentzones.

Chief Secretary SomeshKumar directed all the govern-ment departments, along withthe district collectors, policecommissioners and superin-tendents of police, to strictlyimplement the orders.

Government reviseslockdown restrictions

Together we shallconquer Covid-19:Gov tells doctorsPNS n HYDERABAD

"Doctors need not get demor-alised with the sporadic malignsocial media postings. We areall with you. Doctors are doingan extremely commendablejob in the forefront in ourfight against the Covid-19,"said Governor Dr TamilisaiSoundararajan.

Lauding the efforts of thedoctors and other medical fra-ternity, the Governor, who her-self is a doctor, stated thatrisking their lives and at the costof their family life, the doctorsare taking caring of the patients.

She was interacting with theeminent doctors and superin-tendents of different Covidhospitals through a video con-ference from the Raj Bhavan,on Wednesday, on the occasionof the National Doctor's Day.

"On this very special occa-

sion, I salute the bravery andkind heartedness shown bythe doctors and other staffwho are taking care of thepatients," the Governor said.

Urging the people not to getpanic at this pandemic, DrSoundararajan assured the pub-lic that adequate system is inplace to take care of the people.

"Given our dense popula-tion, the governments arecountering the pandemic in anefficient way when comparedto many other countries," sheadded.

Referring to the peoples'participation in the preventionof Coronavirus spread, theGovernor exhorted the peopleto maintain physical distance,mask wearing, frequent handwashing and avoid gatheringswhich will make us to emergeout successful in rooting outthis pandemic.

A mixed-methodsapproach wasdeployed usinga questionnaireand an interviewguide to captureprimary infofrom thecommunities

The MCI andother authoritiessubmitted in theHigh Court thatoverseas testcentres werenot feasible

n UoH undertakes impact of Coronavirus study in record time

Three held forstealing Ferrari worth Rs 2 cr

Water supplyimproved in Cantonmentarea: TalasaniPNS n HYDERABAD

Minister for AnimalHusbandry T Srinivas Yadavon Wednesday said thatdrinking water supply posi-tion improved inCantonment Board area andthe people of the area will getregular water supply.

Earlier, they used to getwater supply once in 10 days.Currently, 50,000 gallons ofwater is being supplied, he saidadding that the supply wouldbe increased as the people arerepresenting to him statingthat the supply is inadequate.

All government schemesbeing implemented underGHMC limits are also beingextended to those living inBowenpalli and Lal Bazararea. He pointed out that thestate government sanctionedRs 3 crore for development ofRamanna Tank in the area.He said that Rs 48 lakh hasbeen sanctioned for removalof silt from nalas in Patny andPicket areas.

PNS n HYDERABAD

A hunt for the accused in thesensational double murder caseof Old City, Chandranyangutta,ended with the man's bodybeing found under suspiciouscircumstances at his house onWednesday night.

The accused, Ahmed BinSalam Bin Ismail, was foundhanging from the ceiling in hishouse at Salala ofChandrayangutta, late onWednesday night. Police sus-pect that he committed suicide.

According to the police,Ismail stabbed his sisters RaziaBegum, 35 and Zakira Begum,

45, at his house and thenattempted to kill his youngersister Noora and her husband.After the murderers werereported, the police oftwo commissioner-ates, Rachakondaand Hyderabad,formed fiveteams to nabhim.

Initial investi-gation into themotive of the mur-der pointed to prop-erty disputes. However,police allegedly uncovered anew angle according to whichIsmail killed his sisters because

they fed him false informationthat made him kill his wife.Ismail was arrested a year agoon charges of murdering his

wife, Fatima Saadi. Hewas released on bail a

few months ago. As on

Wednesday night,the police havenot found anysuicide note

where Ismail wasfound hanging.

Thought all evidencepoints to him taking the

extreme step, the police are yetto confirm the same are stillinvestigating the matter.

Accused in double murder found dead

Film director files complaint against trollsPNS n HYDERABAD

Popular Telugu film director,Tharun Bhascker, has filed acomplaint with the CyberCrime Police of Cyberabadafter being a subject toharassment of trolls on socialmedia for an Instagram post.

In the post, Tharun urgedpeople to watch Kappela, alatest Malayalam movie,adding that the film doesn'thave the cliched film scenesof long speeches on farmers,soldiers or India. Followingthe post, the director in hiscomplaint said that he wasbeing harassed online by fanswho were sending them abu-sive direct messages onInstagram.

The director then wroteanother post as to how he wasundeterred by the threats ofthose hiding behind fake IDsand abusing him. However, asthe harassment did stop, thedirector filed an official com-plaint with Cyber CrimePolice.

Tharun obtained the num-bers of the users and hadcalled and spoken to them, acopy of which he submittedto the police.

In-laws get 1 yearjail for harassmentPNS n HYDERABAD

The in-laws of a dowry harass-ment victim were sentenced toundergo a one year prisonterm after they were convict-ed in the case by a local courtat Malkajgiri on Wednesday.

According to the police,Anish Atluri, a resident ofSainikpuri, was wedded toTella Sai Krishna on March 4,2015. As per the demand of SaiKrishna and his parents

Suguna and Srinath, Anisha'sparents gave Rs 50 lakhs andgold ornaments worth Rs 50lakhs as dowry. However, soonafter, Krishna and both hisparents began torturing her.Later, his parents then kickedout Anisha from their house.

On March 3, 2017, Anishalodged a complaint. Sugunaand Srinath were arrested. OnWednesday, the court convict-ed them to undergo a year ofrigorous imprisonment.

HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | JULY 2, 2020 hyderabad 04

PNS n HYDERABAD

Malkajgiri MP and TPCCworking president A RevanthReddy has urged the Centralgovernment to declare healthemergency in the state as thegovernment had 'failed' in itsmanagement of Covid-19.

In a letter to Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, he allegedthat the fundamental 'Right toHealth' is being denied inTelangana where fewer tests arebeing done despite the alarm-ing rise in Coronavirus cases.

Accusing the government tomishandling the issue, he saidthe advice of the Central gov-ernment was not heeded whilethe guidelines imposed by theICMR were neglected. Eventhe High Court judgementswere not respected, he alleged.

Revanth Reddy further saidthat the state has the highestpositivity rate in the country ata 27 per cent, whereasMaharashtra is at 22 per cent.He said the tests were abysmal-ly low with just 70,000 tests

done so far despite Hyderabadbeing one of the biggest met-ros in the country with hugevolumes of traffic within andfrom outside. The neighbour-ing Andhra Pradesh has doneover six lakh tests, he said.

The Congress MP said theavailability of testing optionsare present in the hospitals ofHyderabad but barely availablein districts. However, onlygovernment-owned GandhiHospital is recognised as a gov-

ernment approved treatmentcentre and it is totally under-staffed.

Though private medical col-leges are plenty in Hyderabadand surrounding areas, they arenot being used to their poten-tial, he said alleging that thegovernment is reluctant to usethem as majority of them areowned by relatives or peopleclose to the ruling TRS leaders.He said these should be imme-diately taken over and used for

the purpose of providing quar-antine and isolation facilities tothose who cannot afford cor-porate treatment due to exor-bitant prices.

Revanth Reddy also wantedthe Central VigilanceCommission (CVC) team to besent to probe into the trans-parency issues of donations toCM Relief Fund throughcheques, equipment and med-icines.

Declare health emergency in state: Revanth writes to PM

Revanth Reddyalso wanted theCVC team to besent to probe intothe transparencyissues ofdonations to CMRelief Fundthrough cheques,equipment andmedicines

State to incur Rs 346 crore loss onaccount of Centre's agri ordinances PNS n HYDERABAD

The annual loss to the stategovernment would be Rs 346provided it implements thethree ordinances promulgatedby the Centre to provide a lib-eral atmosphere in the state topurchase crops, according to aninternal report submitted to thestate government by marketingdepartment.

There are 184 main marketsand seven satellite markets in thestate. Of them, 64 main marketsand seven satellite markets arebeing patronised by farmers,traders and others. In respect ofother 120 main markets, check-posts are collecting cess whiletransporting the crops.

As part of the implementingthe ordinances, the state gov-ernment would have to doaway with 300-odd check-posts depriving the state gov-ernment of revenue to thetune of Rs 225 crore.

During 2017-20, the marketcess collected annually wasput at Rs 346 crore, includingRs 121 crore realised fromagriculture markets. The rest ofthe Rs 225 crore is earned dueto imposing cess on crops pro-cured from other markets.

The ordinances prohibitlicensed traders procuring

crops in agriculture markets,depriving the government ofthe market cess amounting toRs 121 crore earned last year.

There are 6,166 traders,2,099 rice millers, 314 ginningmills, 106 cold storage facilities,4,613 commission agents in thestate. If they cancel their licens-es, the state government loses

revenue earned through licensefee from them.

At 57 places in the state e-NAM - electronic markets - arefunctioning in the state. Cropsare procured online throughthese facilities. In all, 5,638traders obtained licenses totrade crops online. If they can-cel their licenses, it would be

difficult to get information onprices available for farm prod-ucts in different markets.

During 2019-20, the govern-ment incurred an expenditureof Rs 246 crore towards salariesof 2,449 market committeeemployees and pension for1,509 former employees of themarket committees andtowards the cost of maintain-ing the market yards.

During the last fiscal yearended as on March 31 this year,the government collected Rs540 crore towards cess. Thegovernment has to pay Rs227.98 crore and Rs 250 croretowards salaries to staff, pen-sions to retired staff membersand towards the maintenanceof market yards.

If the ordinances were to beimplemented, the governmentwould not get additional rev-enue. The government wouldhave to spend from its pocketat least Rs 300 crore.

The ordinancesprohibitted fromlicensed tradersprocuring cropsin agriculturemarkets,depriving thegovernment ofthe market cessamounting to Rs 121 croreearned last year

PNS n GAJWEL

Finance Minister T Harish Raolaunched a scathing attackagainst the Congress and BJPleaders for making an issue outof Kondapochamma Sagar canalbreach.

Addressing a press conferencein Gajwel on Wednesday, theMinister accused the Congressleaders of attempting to makeGoebbels propaganda on thecanal breach. Stating that manysuch incidents happened evenduring the Congress govern-ment's rule in erstwhile AndhraPradesh, Harish Rao said thatentire projects were swept awaydue to poor quality works dur-ing that time.

The Minister said thatYellampally Project was sweptaway and Devudula Projectpipelines had suffered a burst. Hesaid TPCC president N UttamKumar Reddy and PonnalaLakshmaiah were then ministersin the Congress government. Hesaid that Sriram Sagar Projecthad suffered a breach at 118 and131 km milestone while Palem

Vagu Project was swept awaywhile it was under construction."The Sardar Sarovar Project suf-fered over 200 breaches by thetime it was completed," he said.

Stating that the Manoharabadrailway line was damaged due toheavy floods, Rao wonderedwhether Prime MinisterNarendra Modi should be ques-tioned for that. Harish Rao saidthat the Congress regimeharassed farmers by deprivingthem irrigation facility andpower supply to pump sets.

The Congress earned thedubious distinction of being

labelled as the party that spreadsGoebbels. Because of this, it alsoforfeited its opposition status inthe Legislative Assembly, HarishRao said.

Pointing out that the state gov-ernment had taken up the largestlift project in the world, HarishRao said Chief Minister KChandrashekar Rao had realisedthe long-cherished dream ofgetting Godavari water. Insteadof making baseless criticism, heurged the opposition parties toextend support to the govern-ment and irrigation officials tohelp farmers reap the benefits.

CM KCR greets Venkaiah Naidu on his birthday PNS n HYDERABAD

Chief Minister KChandrashekhar Rao has greet-ed the Vice President VenkaiahNaidu on his birthday onWednesday. The CM has con-veyed his greetings to the VicePresident over the phone andsent a flower bouquet to theVice President. The CM wishedthe Vice President a long lifeand to continue with his ser-vices to the Nation in the daysand years to come.

PNS n KAMAREDDY

Assembly SpeakerPocharam SrinivasaReddy on Wednesdaytook part in an inaugu-ration spree of variousdevelopment pro-grammes in Timmapurof Birkur mandal ofBanswada Assemblyconstituency.

The Speaker inaugu-rated the Kalyana Katta

at the TTD FunctionHall built at Rs 19 lakh,a 33/11 KV sub-stationbuilt at a cost Rs 1 crore,declared open an electriccrematorium built at acost of Rs 12.60 lakh andinaugurated 60 units of2BHK houses built at acost of Rs 3.02 crore.

DCCB presidentBhaskar Reddy, DistrictCollector Dr Sharat andothers were present.

Assembly Speaker onan inauguration spree

KPS canal breach: Uttam visits affected areas, demands probePNS n HYDERABAD

Telangana PradeshCongress Committee(TPCC) President andNalgonda MP N UttamKumar Reddy demandeda high level probe into thebreach of Jagdevpur canalof Konda PochammaSagar which caused dev-astation in ShivarVenkatapur and other vil-lages of Markook Mandalin Siddipet district. Healso demanded appropri-ate compensation forthose who suffered dam-ages to their houses andcrops due to floodingafter breach.

Accompanied withMLC T Jeevan Reddy andother senior leaders,Uttam Kumar Reddy vis-ited the affected villagesand interacted with thefarmers and villagers. Thelocal villagers complainedthat no official has visit-ed their village to enu-merate the losses. They

also complained that theywere facing a lot of diffi-culties due to the proxim-ity of their village to ChiefMinister KChandrashekhar Rao'sfarm house in Erravelli.The security personneldoes not allow

villagers even to step onthe road that leads toCM's farm house.

Speaking to media per-sons later, Uttam KumarReddy demanded that thestate government pay com-pensation to the peopleaffected due to canal breach

after assessing the losses onwar footing basis. He alsodemanded that the engi-neer-in-chief and otherofficials concerned shouldbe suspended immediate-ly and stern action shouldbe taken against them afteran enquiry. He said entirelosses should be recoveredfrom the contractor as heexecuted sub-standardworks.

Uttam Kumar said thatthe KondapochammaSagar Reservoir was partof the Kaleshwaram LiftIrrigation Scheme, which

was inaugurated by theChief Minister on May 29.He said there werebreaches on both rightand left canals on June 12.He said that Tuesday'sbreach has clearlyexposed the inferior qual-ity of irrigation projectsbeing constructed by TRSgovernment. He said thatKCR Government hasbeen wasting thousandsof crores in the name ofirrigation projects bymortgaging the interest ofpeople of Telangana.

He said the works atthese irrigation projectswere of such inferior andsub-standard quality thatthey could not withstandthe water stream for evena month. He said if thequality of works executedin the Assembly con-stituency represented bythe CM were of so lowstandard, people couldimagine the status of pro-jects executed in otherparts of the state.

PNS n HYDERABAD

The Central Ministry of TribalAffairs in association withFacebook, launched a digital-ly enabled training pro-gramme 'GOAL' (going onlineas leaders) to personally trainand provide internships for5,000 tribal youth.

The Ministry of TribalAffairs seeks online applica-tions from tribal youthbetween 18-35 years of agewho are interested in business,education, health, politics,entrepreneurship, arts,research, life skills.

The applicants are request-ed to register their names onthe tribal welfare ministry'swebsite goal.tribal.gov.in

The selected candidates willbe provided training for 9

months using digital tech-nologies including internshipopportunities in reputedorganisations. The candidateswill be provided smartphonewith internet access for oneyear.

Certificates will be issued tothe candidates after successfulcompletion of the programand work opportunities will beprovided in reputed privateand government organisationsfor deserving candidates

The tribal affairs ministryalso seeks online applicationsfrom teachers and principalsof Ekalavya Model ResidentialSchools in Telangana andexperts in the field of business,education, health, politics,dance, culture, entrepreneur-ship among others who cantrain tribal youth in the fields.

GOAL launched for thebenefit of tribal students

TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy visited the affected villages andinteracted with the farmers and villagers

MLA THREATENS FAST

Include Covid-19 treatment under Aarogyasri: CongressPNS n HYDERABAD

Sangareddy Congress MLAJaggareddy has threatened toobserve a one-day fast if thestate government does notgive a statement in two daysthat it is including Covid-19treatment under Aarogyasrischeme. He demanded theState Government to includeCovid-19 treatment underAarogyasri.

Addressing media at theState Legislative Assembly hereon Wednesday, Jaggareddyalleged that the state govern-ment had gone bankrupt priorto outbreak of Covid-19. Thegovernment inserted RytuBandhu advertisements on agrand scale while releasingbenefits under the scheme tothe farmers now and then.

As inventing a vaccine forCoronavirus appears to be notso soon, he demanded thestate government to actresponsibly by providing qual-ity food and medical treatmentto the Covid-19 patients.

He asked the government toprovide rice and essential com-modities free of cost to thepoor during the pandemic.

Referring to Aarogyasriintroduced during the

Congress regime, Jaggareddysaid that the health insurancescheme used to provide treat-ment to a host of diseases tothe poor. Currently, there is nosuch situation, he felt.

Moreover, the support to thepoor and needy from the ChiefMinister's Relief Fund isalmost ruled out, he said. Infact, 90 per cent of the medicalexpenses of the poor wereused to be met from theCMRF. As Aarogyasri is notapplicable to Covid-19 treat-ment, the people are facing dif-ficulties, he said.

As Aarogyasri has been notavailable to the patients, thepoor are facing problems.Moreover, they are not in aposition to afford cost of treat-ment in private hospitals, helamented.

PNS n ADILABAD

Minister for Forests A IndrakaranReddy on Wednesday plantedsaplings as part of the MegaPlantation Day observed as part ofsixth phase of Harita Haaram andsowed seeds.

As part of observing the MegaPlantation Day, one lakh saplingshave been planted as part of anavenue plantation from Mavala ParkChanda T-Junction in Adilabad dis-trict on a single day.

Later, he went round the MavalaPark in an open jeep. He inaugurat-ed an environmental knowledge cen-tre in the park.

Speaking in this connection, hesaid that the survival rate of plants inthe past five phases of Harita Haaramwas 70 per cent. But Panchayat Rajand Municipal Acts indicate that the

responsibility of ensuring survival of85 per cent of the plants rests on peo-ple's representatives and officials.

This year the target to plan saplingswas fixed at 30 crore, he said exhort-ing the people to plant saplings andalso take responsibility to carefullynurse them.

Further, he said that the govern-ment of Telangana focussed on con-servation of forests and hinted atinvoking the PD Act against timbersmugglers.

Stating that safeguarding the for-est blocks is the responsibility of oneand all, he asked the people to giveinformation to forest officials ontimber smuggling.

MLAs Jogu Ramanna, RathodBapu Rao, District Collector DevaSena, Conservator of Forests VinodKumar and other forest officials tookpart in the programme.

Mega Plantation Day observed

PNS n HYDERABAD

Congress senior leader and TPCCTreasurer Gudur Narayana Reddyon Wednesday announced that hewould form Plasma DonorsAssociation to motivate peoplewho recovered from Covid-19 todonate their plasma so as to save thelives of other infected patients.

Narayana Reddy, who has justrecovered from the Covid-19, saidthat the proposed Association willconnect people who recoveredfrom Covid-19 and are willing todonate their plasma. Further, theAssociation will create awareness

among people on how more livescould be saved by donating plasma.

"As on today, as many as 7,294people have recovered from Covid-19 in Telangana State. Even if halfof them are eligible to donate theirplasma, they can save nearly 2,000lives with two of them donatingtheir plasma to one patient," he said.

The Congress leader said that theplasma therapy, so far, has givenvery positive and encouragingresults.

He said Coronavirus patientswho underwent plasma therapyacross India have reportedly recov-ered from the disease.

Therefore, the TPCC leader saidplasma therapy should be promot-ed at a large scale.

Narayana Reddy pointed outthat the Delhi Government wasestablishing a Plasma Bank where-in anyone who needs plasma couldcome with a recommendationfrom a doctor and take plasmafrom the eligible donors.

Similarly, the TPCC leader saidMaharashtra Governmentlaunched Project Platina, world'slargest plasma therapy trial forCoronavirus patients, wherein 500serious Coronavirus patients wouldundergo plasma therapy.

Gudur Narayana to float Plasma DonorsAssociation to help Coronavirus patients

Oppn spreading ‘Goebbelsianlies’ on KPS breach: Harish Rao

HYDERABAD | THURSDAY | JULY 2, 2020 nation 05

SHORT READS

2 held for supplyingdrugs in DelhiNEW DELHI: The Delhi Police'sCrime Branch has arrested twomen for supplying drugs after800 grams of heroin wasseized from them, an officersaid on Wednesday. Shamim(38) and Nadeem Khan (39) areresidents of Old Mustafabad inthe national capital, they said.The police claimed to haveseized 500 grams of heroinfrom Shamim and another 300grams from Khan. The vehicleused by the duo for thecommission of crime was alsoseized, police said. An FIR hasbeen registered under relevantsections of the Narcotic Drugsand Psychotropic SubstancesAct, 1985 (NDPS) at CrimeBranch Police Station, theofficer said. The antecedents ofthe accused are being verified,the police said, adding thesource of the contraband isalso being probed.

Four killed, 6 injuredin two separateaccidents in Rajasthan

Two brothers amongfour killed in roadaccidents in UPHAMIRPUR/FATEHPUR: Fourmen, including two brothers,were killed in separate roadaccidents in Uttar Pradesh'sHamirpur and Fatehpurdistricts, police said onWednesday. In Hamirpur, twobrothers were killed when amotorcycle was hit by a jeep inJaria area on Wednesday, thepolice said. The deceased wereidentified as Naresh (28) andRam Autar (22). They workedas labourers, they said. Thejeep driver managed to fleefrom the spot, they said, addingthat a probe is underway. InFatehpur, two persons werekilled after their motorcycle washit by an unidentified vehicle inTharion area on Tuesday night,the police said. Ajay Paswan(32) and Pintu (25) wereinjured in the incident and wererushed to a hospital, wherethey died during treatment,they said.

BIKANER/JAIPUR: Four peoplewere killed and six othersinjured in two separateaccidents in Rajasthan'sBikaner and Jaisalmer districts,police said on Wednesday. Ajeep collided with a truck onWednesday in Bikaner's Nokhapolice station area, killing twopeople and leaving threegrievously injured, they said.Those in the jeep werereturning after attending amarriage ceremony. MahendraKumar and Ram Swaroop werekilled in the accident. Theirbodies have been handed overto their family members afterpostmortem, police said. Theinjured persons are beingtreated at the PBM Hospital,they said. In the Nachna policestation area of Jaisalmer, a jeepcollided with a motorcycle onTuesday night, killing twoyouths and leaving three othersinjured. Police said that fivepersons were riding on themotorcycle when it was hit bythe jeep. It is suspected that thedriver lost control of thevehicle, they said.

Another Covid-19 wave couldresult in loss of 340 mln jobs: ILOn UNITED NATIONS

The ILO has warned that ifanother COVID-19 wave hits inthe second half of 2020, therewould be global working-hourloss of 11.9 per cent - equivalentto the loss of 340 million full-time jobs.

According to the 5th editionof International LabourOrganisation (ILO) Monitor:COVID-19 and the world ofwork, the recovery in the glob-al labour market for the rest ofthe year will be uncertain andincomplete. The report said thatthere was a 14 per cent drop inglobal working hours during thesecond quarter of 2020, equiv-alent to the loss of 400 millionfull-time jobs.

The number of workinghours lost across the world in thefirst half of 2020 was significant-ly worse than previously esti-mated. The highly uncertainrecovery in the second half ofthe year will not be enough togo back to pre-pandemic levelseven in the best scenario, theagency warned.

The baseline model – whichassumes a rebound in econom-ic activity in line with existingforecasts, the lifting of workplacerestrictions and a recovery inconsumption and investment –projects a decrease in workinghours of 4.9 per cent (equivalentto 140 million full-time jobs)

compared to lastquarter of 2019.

It says that in thepessimistic scenario,the situation in the sec-ond half of 2020 wouldremain almost as challenging asin the second quarter.

“Even if one assumes better-tailored policy responses –thanks to the lessons learnedthroughout the first half of theyear – there would still be a glob-al working-hour loss of 11.9 percent at the end of 2020, or 340million full-time jobs, relative tothe fourth quarter of 2019,” itsaid.

The pessimistic scenarioassumes a second pandemicwave and the return of restric-tions that would significantlyslow recovery. The optimistic

scenario assumesthat workers' activi-ties resume quickly,

significantly boostingaggregate demand and

job creation. With thisexceptionally fast recovery, theglobal loss of working hourswould fall to 1.2 per cent (34million full-time jobs).

The agency said that underthe three possible scenarios forrecovery in the next six months,“none” sees the global job situ-ation in better shape than it wasbefore lockdown measuresbegan.

“This is why we talk of anuncertain but incomplete recov-ery even in the best of scenar-ios for the second half of thisyear. So there is not going to bea simple or quick recovery,” ILO

Director-General Guy Rydersaid.

The new figures reflect theworsening situation in manyregions over the past weeks,especially in developingeconomies. Regionally, workingtime losses for the second quar-ter were: Americas (18.3 percent), Europe and Central Asia(13.9 per cent), Asia and thePacific (13.5 per cent), ArabStates (13.2 per cent), and Africa(12.1 per cent).

The vast majority of theworld's workers (93 per cent)continue to live in countries withsome sort of workplace closures,with the Americas experiencingthe greatest restrictions.

During the first quarter of theyear, an estimated 5.4 per centof global working hours (equiv-

alent to 155 million full-timejobs) were lost relative to thefourth quarter of 2019.Working- hour losses for thesecond quarter of 2020 relativeto the last quarter of 2019 areestimated to reach 14 per centworldwide (equivalent to 400million full-time jobs), with thelargest reduction (18.3 per cent)occurring in the Americas.

The ILO Monitor also foundthat women workers have beendisproportionately affected bythe pandemic, creating a riskthat some of the modestprogress on gender equalitymade in recent decades will belost, and that work-related gen-der inequalities will be exacer-bated.

The severe impact ofCOVID-19 on women workersrelates to their over-representa-tion in some of the economicsectors worst affected by the cri-sis, such as accommodation,food, sales and manufacturing.

Globally, almost 510 millionor 40 per cent of all employedwomen work in the four mostaffected sectors, compared to36.6 per cent of men, it said.

The report said that womenalso dominate in the domesticwork and health and social carework sectors, where they are atgreater risk of losing theirincome and of infection andtransmission, and are also lesslikely to have social protection.

“Even if one assumesbetter-tailored policyresponses – thanks tothe lessons learnedthroughout the first halfof the year – therewould still be a globalworking-hour loss of11.9 per cent at theend of 2020, or 340million full-time jobs,relative to the fourthquarter of 2019,” it said

PM greets onAshadi EkadashiPNS n NEW DELHI

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Wednesday extend-ed greetings on AshadiEkadashi, praying for a happyand healthy world. "May LordVitthal's blessings bring goodhealth and prosperity to thepoor and deprived. MayVitthal's blessings be uponyou to keep your world happyand healthy," he said in aseries of tweets in Marathi.The prime minister saidAshadi Ekadashi is a day tocommemorate the "Warkari"tradition. "Salutations to SaintDnyaneshwar, Namdev,Eknath, Ramdas, Tukaram,and many others who havealways inspired us by teach-ing equality and social har-mony," Modi said.

India to ban Chinesecos from highwayprojects, says GadkariPNS n NEW DELHI

India will not allow Chinesecompanies to participate inhighway projects, includingthose through joint ventures,Union Minister Nitin Gadkarisaid on Wednesday amid bor-der standoff with China.

Gadakri also said the gov-ernment will ensure thatChinese investors are notentertained in various sectorslike Micro, Small and MediumEnterprises (MSMEs).

The senior minister's asser-tions assume significanceagainst the backdrop of borderstandoff between India andChina in Ladakh that also sawthe death of 20 Indian Armypersonnel last month.

Amid escalating tensions,the government on Mondaybanned 59 apps, mostly havingChinese links, citing threats tonational security.

"We will not give permissionto joint ventures that haveChinese partners for road con-struction. We have taken a firmstand that if they (Chinesecompanies) come via jointventure in our country, we willnot allow it," Gadkari said.

The Road Transport,Highways and MSME minis-ter said a policy will be outsoon banning Chinese firmsand relaxing norms for Indiancompanies to expand their

eligibility criteria for participa-tion in highway projects.

Currently only a few projectswhich were undertaken muchearlier involve some Chinesepartners. When asked aboutthis, the Minister said that thenew decision will be imple-mented in current and futuretenders.

With respect to existing ten-ders and future bids, Gadkarisaid rebidding would be doneif there are any Chinese jointventures.

"We have taken a decision torelax norms for our companiesto ensure that they qualify inbidding in large projects. I havedirected the HighwaysSecretary (Giridhar Aramane)and NHAI Chairman (SSSandhu) to hold a meeting forrelaxing technical and financialnorms so that our companiescan qualify to work," he said.

PNS n NEW DELHI

Respiratory droplets travelbetween eight to 13 feet beforethey evaporate or escape, with-out wind and depending on theambient condition, accordingto Indian researchers who sug-gest that physical distancinggreater than six feet may beessential to avoid COVID-19transmission.

The researchers, includingthose from the Indian Instituteof Science (IISc), Bengaluru,Karnataka, noted that it is wellestablished that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causesCOVID-19 disease is transmit-ted via respiratory dropletsthat infected people eject whenthey cough, sneeze or talk.

The team developed a math-ematical model for the earlyphases of a COVID-19-likepandemic using the aerody-namics and evaporation char-

acteristics of respiratorydroplets.

The research, published inthe journal Physics of Fluids,modelled the pandemicdynamics with a reactionmechanism, wherein eachreaction has a rate constantobtained by calculating thedroplet collision frequency.

The researchers then com-pared the droplet cloud eject-

ed by an infected person to theone by a healthy person.

"The size of the dropletcloud, the distance it travels,and the droplet lifetimes are,therefore, all important factorsthat we calculated using con-servation of mass, momentum,energy and species," saidSwetaprovo Chaudhuri fromthe University of Toronto inCanada.

"The model could be used toestimate approximately howlong droplets can survive, howfar they can travel, and whichsize of droplet survives forhow long," said Chaudhari,one of the authors of the study.

He added the actual situa-tion could be complicated bywind, turbulence, air-recircu-lation or many other effects.

Physical distancing over six feet essential toprevent Covid-19 transmission, says study

Germany easingentry rules for 11non-EU nationsn BERLIN

Germany says it is easingrestrictions on travellers fromup to 11 countries outside theEuropean Union — but notthe full list recommended bythe European Union. TheInterior Ministry said, peoplefrom Australia, Georgia,Canada, Montenegro, NewZealand, Thailand, Tunisiaand Uruguay will be able toenter without restrictions.That will also apply to Japan,South Korea and China —but only if those countriesalso allow people fromGermany to enter. Germanyomitted four countries fromthe list released by the EU onTuesday of those whose peo-ple should be allowed into the27 member countries andfour other nations in thevisa-free Schengen area:Algeria, Morocco, Rwandaand Serbia.

‘Due process must to declaresanitary pads as essential item'PNS n MUMBAI

The Union Ministry of Healthand Family Welfare has toldthe Bombay High Court thata decision to declare sanitarynapkins as an essential com-modity can be taken only afterfollowing the due process, andunderstanding the currentmarket scenario and demandand supply gap.

The central governmentfiled an affidavit in the highcourt earlier this week inresponse to a petition seekinga direction to the governmentto declaresanitarynapkinsas anessential commodity and sup-ply them on par with otheressential commodities to all thepoor and needy women amidthe COVID-19 pandemic.

The petition, filed by twolaw students Nikita Gore andVaishnavi Gholave, allegedthat the Centre and the stategovernment were not imple-menting effective menstrualhygiene management result-ing in women, particularlyadolescent girls, facing barri-ers.

The Union government inits affidavit said the decision toinclude sanitary napkins in the

schedule (list) of essential com-modities must be taken afterunderstanding the currentmarket scenario, the demandsupply gap and also keeping inmind various options ofbrands, quality, costing andpreferences of the beneficiaries.

"The decision can be takenafter a due consultative processunder the Ministry ofConsumer Affairs ensuringinvolvement of all stakehold-ers, the affidavit said.

The Union government fur-ther said it has issued a guid-ance note on provision ofReproductive, Maternal,Newborn, Child, AdolescentHealth Plus Nutrition(RMNCAH+N) services dur-ing and post the COVID-19pandemic.

PNS n PURI

Lord Jagannath's 'Bahuda Jatra'— the return car festival —began on Wednesday in theabsence of devotees, and amidtight security and curfew, as theseaside pilgrim town virtuallyshutdown to prevent gather-ings in view of the COVID-19pandemic.

As the divine siblings --Lord Jagannath, his elderbrother Lord Balabhadra andtheir sister Devi Subhadra --embarked on their return jour-ney back to the 12th-centuryshrine, the administrationappealed people to stay homeand watch the rituals on TV.

The world famous Rath

Yatra, which commenced onJune 23, is being held sans pub-lic attendance as the SupremeCourt had on June 22 allowedit, only in Puri, and with con-dition that a limited number ofservitors will participate andthere would be no congrega-tion.

The three deities end theirannual nine-day sojourn to SriGundicha Temple, their birthplace, and are now returning toSreemandir or Shri Jagannathtemple on three majesticwooden chariots during'Bahuda Jatra'.

The Grand Road between

the Shree Gundicha Templeand the main shrine, the abodeof the celestial siblings, whichhosts lakhs of devotees fromacross the country and abroadduring the historic car festivalevery year, wore an emptylook this year.

Puri District CollectorBalwant Singh said all arrange-ments have been made in com-pliance with the SupremeCourt's order on conduct of theRath Yatra.

"Devotees are not allowed onthe Grand Road. All entrypoints to Puri town have beensealed and the devotees arerequested to stay home andwatch the Bahuda Jatra ontelevision," Singh said.

Lord Jagannath's ‘Bahuda Jatra' begins sansdevotees as Puri remains under curfew

NHRC notice to TN DGP,over deaths of father, son PNS n NEW DELHI

The NHRC on Wednesdaysaid it has issued notices to theDGP of Tamil Nadu and SP ofThoothukudi district in thesouthern state over the deathof a father-son duo allegedlydue to torture by police.

The National Human RightsCommission (NHRC), in atweet, also said it has soughta report from the police offi-cers, which has to "includeinquest report, post-mortemexamination report, medicaltreatment record, magisterialenquiry report and healthscreening report of both vic-tims, within 6 weeks".

P Jayaraj and his son Bennix, who were arrested for "vio-

lating" lockdown norms overthe business hours of their cellphone shop, died at a hospitalin Thoothukudi's Kovilpatti onJune 23, with the relativesalleging that they were severe-ly thrashed at the Sathankulampolice station by the person-nel earlier. The incident hastriggered a nationwide furore.

Priyanka says weaversin Varanasi sufferingPNS n NEW DELHI

Congress leader PriyankaGandhi Vadra on Wednesdayalleged that weavers in theprime minister's con-stituency, Varanasi, are