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J&K: 59 travellers among 482 fresh cases, tally at 26,413

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 482 fresh coronavirus cases including 59 travelers, taking the total number of positive cases in the Union Territory to 26,413.

Among the total 26,413 positive cases, 20,461 are from Kashmir and 5,952 from the Jammu division.

Officials said among 482 new cases, 376 belong to Kashmir division while 106 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 20,461 including 13,430 recoveries. The total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 5,952 including 4,093 recoveries and 37 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 7,392 including 5,570 from Kashmir division and 1,822 from Jammu division. With 544 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in J&K has reached 18,523 which is 70.12 percent of the total cases.

Pertinently, Srinagar district alone has 6,435 positive cases which is more than the total number of positive cases in Jammu division where total cases are 5,952.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 88 from Srinagar, 26 from Baramulla, 52 from Pulwama, 17 from Kulgam, 01 from Shopian, 53 from Anantnag, 29 from Budgam, 42 from Kupwara, 29 from Bandipora and 39 from Ganderbal in Kashmir division while as 106 from Jammu division include 42 from Jammu, 14 from Kathua, 04 from Rajouri, 05 from Ramban, 02 from Udhampur, 04 from Samba, 07 from Doda, 16 from Poonch, 07 from Reasi and 05 from Kishtwar,” officials disclosed.

As per the daily information bulletin, 4,02,509 persons in J&K are under observation while 42,494 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides that, 7,392 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 3,03,399 persons have completed surveillance period and 48,726 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 7,50,847 samples out of which 7,24,434 have tested negative. 26,413 have been tested positive, among which 7,392 are active and 18,523 persons have recovered.

-ARK

Govt allows sale and registration of electric vehicles without batteries

New Delhi (NVI): In a bid to spur demand for electric vehicles and encourage electric mobility in the country, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) today issued a notification, allowing registration of EVs without pre-fitted batteries.

In a letter to Transport Secretaries of all the States and UTs, the ministry has clarified that vehicles without batteries can be sold and registered based on the type approval certificate issued by the Test Agency.

The Ministry further stated that there is no need to specify the Make/Type or any other details of the Battery for the purpose of Registration.

However, the prototype of the electrical vehicle, and the battery (regular battery or the swappable battery) is required to be type approved by the test Agencies specified under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the Ministry said.

The Government is striving to create an ecosystem to accelerate the uptake of electric mobility in the country. “It is time to come together to work jointly to achieve the broader national agenda to reduce vehicular pollution and oil import bill. This will not only protect the environment and reduce the oft import bill but also provide opportunities to sun rise industry,” the Ministry said in an official release.

For the promotion of electrical two-wheelers and three-wheeler vehicles, there are recommendations brought to the notice of the Ministry to delink the cost of battery (which accounts for 30-40% of the total cost) from the vehicle cost.

Vehicles could then also be sold in the market without the battery. This will make the upfront cost of the electrical 2 wheeler (2W) and 3 wheelers (3W) to be lower than ICE 2 and 3W. The battery could be provided separately by the OEM or the energy service provider, the ministry said.

-ARK

Shripad Naik tests Covid positive

New Delhi (NVI): Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik today said that he has tested positive for novel coronavirus and has opted for home isolation as he was asymptomatic.

In a tweet, the Union Minister said his vitals were “within normal limits”.

“I underwent Covid-19 test today & it has turned out asymptomatically positive. My vitals are within normal limits and I have opted for home isolation. Those who have came in contact with me in last few days are advised to get tested for themselves and take required precautions,” Naik tweeted after being diagnosed with the virus.

Naik has done into home quarantine at his residence near Panaji, Goa. According to media reports, he is likely to preside over an online launch of his ministry’s campaign “Ayush for immunity” on Friday.

Meanwhile, Naik has joined a growing list of ministers tested positive for the virus. He is the fourth Union minister to test positive. Earlier, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Arjun Meghwal, Dharmendra Pradhan and Kailash Chaudhary had tested positive.

-ARK

Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in J&K’s Rajouri

LoC

Jammu (NVI): In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops today targeted forward posts along Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, defence officials said.

The latest CFV took place at around 7.50 pm, they said, adding the Indian Army was retaliating befittingly to the small arms fire and mortar shelling from Pakistan side.

“At about 1950 hours, Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with Small Arms & intense shelling with Mortars along LoC in Nowshera Sector, District Rajouri(J&K). Indian Army is retaliating befittingly,” defence officials said in a statement.

Yesterday, security forces had busted a Hizbul Mujahideen terror module in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district by arresting one active terrorist of the outfit along with four Over Ground Workers (OGWs) while recovering arms and ammunition from them.

The J&K police said that acting on inputs regarding the cross-LOC weapons smuggling module, a joint operation was launched by the Police, Army and CRPF late last night in Kupwara.

The module was active in north Kashmir and would receive arms and ammunition through sources near LoC and later handover the same to the militants’ active in the Valley.

-ARK

National Expert Group holds meeting to ensure Covid vaccines’ delivery

A look at Bharat Biotech and SII's efforts to develop Covid vaccines approved by DCGI
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): National Expert Group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 today met for the first time and deliberated on strategy to ensure COVID-19 vaccines’ availability and its delivery mechanism, the Ministry of Health said.

The meeting was chaired by Dr VK Paul, Member Niti Aayog along with Secretary (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) as co-Chair.

The expert group deliberated on conceptualization and implementation mechanisms for creation of a digital infrastructure for inventory management and delivery mechanism of the vaccine including tracking of vaccination process with particular focus on last-mile delivery, the Health Ministry said in a statement.

They discussed on broad parameters guiding the selection of COVID-19 vaccine candidates for the country and sought inputs from Standing Technical Sub-Committee of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).

The group also delved on the procurement mechanisms for COVID-19 vaccine, including both indigenous and international manufacturing along with guiding principles for prioritization of population groups for vaccination, the ministry said.

The expert group discussed on the financial resources required for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine and various options of financing the same. Available options in terms of delivery platforms, cold chain and associated infrastructure for rollout of COVID-19 vaccination were also taken up.

Further, strategy and follow-up action on all possible scenarios to ensure equitable and transparent delivery of vaccine was deliberated upon. Issues related to vaccine safety and surveillance were taken up and strategy for community involvement through transparent information and awareness creation were discussed.

The Health Ministry said that India’s support to its key neighbors and development partner countries for COVID-19 vaccines was deliberated upon. The expert group discussed that India will leverage domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and will also engage with all international players for early delivery of vaccines not only in India but also in low and middle income countries.

The Committee also advised all the States not to chart separate pathways of procurement.

-ARK

Better security for sarpanchs, development without any disparity: New J&K LG

Manoj Sinha
File Photo: LG J&K Manoj Sinha

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir’s newly appointed Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the administration led by him will ensure better security arrangements for all elected sarpanchs and political workers who are facing threats in the Union Territory.

“Some political workers and panchayat representatives were killed recently, I expressed my heartfelt condolences to their families. My administration stands with their families. Some measures to protect panchayat representatives and political workers have already been taken and I promise that I will ensure better security arrangements for them in the days ahead,” LG Sinha said.

He also launched a departmental and district level Coffee Table book highlighting developmental works of J&K that took place in the past one year, at SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar.

His statement comes close on the heels of the killing of two BJP leaders including a sarpanch and critical injury to a sarpanch this month. The BJP had demanded security cover for all the sarpanches and panchs and the administration has lodged BJP workers, leaders and panchayat representatives in safe accommodations at every district headquarter, he said.

In the function, LG Sinha felicitated Covid warriors, panchayat and ULB representatives while a short film on the ongoing developmental works was also screened.

Sinha while assuring better security arrangements for the political workers and panchayat representatives, said “the administration needs to be cautious while framing the future security strategy for the panchayat representatives and other political workers.”

He said the administration led by him will start consultations to create a better atmosphere and to ensure a peaceful and dignified life for the people of J&K. “We will ensure J&K’s development without any disparity. This is what Prime Minister Narendera Modi is committed for. He told me that I should work for the speedy development of J&K and make J&K as a model UT. Development has taken place but I feel there is a need to speed up the process on ground level,” Sinha said.

He said J&K’s Panchayati Raj Act is stronger than other States and UTs of India. “When we talk about change, we need to change ourselves first,” the J&K LG said, adding that democracy will flourish in J&K and “all of us will have to work towards that.”

-ARK

J&K: Soldier injured in terrorist attack on Srinagar-Baramulla highway

Kashmir
Representational Image

Srinagar (NVI): A soldier was injured today after terrorists opened fire on a vehicle carrying Army’s Quick Reaction Team (QRT) on Srinagar-Baramulla highway, defence officials said.

They said that the attack took place at Hygam crossing on the highway in the afternoon.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that militants fired at the vehicle in which a QRT of Army was moving from Baramulla towards Gulmarg on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway near Hygam crossing. “A soldier was injured in the attack. Search operation in progress,” he said.

Officials said that soon after the ‘attack’, Army’s 52 RR, Police and CRPF personnel rushed to the spot and cordoned off the whole area to nab the attackers. “A vast area has been cordoned to track down the attackers while a frisking of vehicles too was started to ensure militants don’t flee too far,” they said.

-ARK

Air India closes down 5 European stations over loss of revenue amid COVID-19

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): Air India (AI) has cut its European footprint by half after closing down five stations in view of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The five stations are in Vienna, Milan, Madrid, Copenhagen, & Stockholm. This comes as the latest impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on India’s aviation sector.

These cities have been removed from AI’s network as a cost-cutting move to survive the pandemic-induced severe downturn in travel.

Air India will now be flying only to London, Birmingham, Frankfurt, Paris and Rome in European Union (EU) and the UK.

“In view of the COVID situation, it has been approved by competent authority to close down following stations and become offline,” a note by the Commercial Division of Air India read.

“The current IBOs (international booking offices) are to be recalled to India and the station will be handed over to GSA (general sales agent) after completion of formality of closure,” the note further added.

Although India has started international flights to UK, France, Germany under air bubbles, but canceling flights to these cities is a strong indication that demand for international flights is at all time low, and it will take some time to recover.

-CHK

UK falls into recession as GDP plunges by a record 20.4% in second quarter

Boris Johnson

New Delhi (NVI): The United Kingdom’s economy contracted by 20.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2020, the worst quarterly slump on record, pushing the country into the deepest recession of any major global economy.

This crash in GDP in the April-June period, compared with the first quarter, is the worst since quarterly records began in 1955. Industries most exposed to government lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic — services, production and construction — saw record drops.

Household spending plunged as shops were ordered to close, while factory and construction output also fell.

This pushed the UK into its first technical recession – defined as two consecutive quarters of economic decline – since 2009.

The second-quarter plunge is the worst on record and follows a 2.2 per cent contraction in the first quarter.

Britain’s recession is deeper than those recorded by comparable economies in Europe, notably Germany, France and Italy, or that of the United States.

There were signs of a recovery in the month of June alone when Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 8.7 per cent from May, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

UK’s economic output in June was 16.8 per cent below its level a year earlier, compared with a 23.3 per cent fall for May.

In addition to this, the British government hopes additional measures such as the reopening of pubs and restaurants and a return to offices will further fuel the recovery.

-CHK

India records highest single-day COVID-19 recoveries at 56,110

COVID
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): India recorded the highest single-day recoveries at 56,110 in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recovered cases to 16,39,599. With this the COVID-19 recovery rate improved further to 70.38 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said.

The highest single-day recoveries at 56,110 are the result of the successful implementation of effective containment strategy, aggressive and comprehensive testing coupled with the standardised clinical management of the critical patients based on a holistic standard of care approach, the Ministry of Health in a statement said.

The coordinated efforts of the central, state and UT governments have resulted in continuously increasing average daily recoveries, it added

“In the first week of July the daily average recovered cases were at 15,000 which jumped to more than 50,000 in the first week of August,” the ministry said.

The statement further stated, “With more patients recovering and being discharged from hospitals and home isolation (in case of mild and moderate cases), the total recoveries have crossed the 16 lakh mark and the recovery rate has reached another high of 70.38 per cent.”

There are 6,43,948 active cases of coronavirus which is “actual caseload” of COVID-19 in the country and currently comprise 27.64 per cent of the total positive cases. They are under active medical supervision.

With a consistent and sustained increase in recoveries, the gap between recovered patients and active COVID-19 cases has reached nearly 10 lakh.

Focus on improved and effective clinical treatment in hospitals, use of non-invasive, improved and coordinated services of the ambulances for ferrying patients for prompt and timely treatment have resulted in seamless efficient patient management of COVID-19 patients.

As a result, the case fatality rate (CFR) has been low when compared to the global average. It is currently standing at 1.98 per cent, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, India’s TEST, TRACK, TREAT strategy has achieved another peak with 7,33,449 tests done in the last 24 hours. This has taken the cumulative tests to more than 2.6 crore. The tests per million has jumped to 18,852, ministry said, adding that the graded and evolving response has resulted in a testing strategy that steadily widened the testing net in the country.

To keep up with this strategy, the testing lab network in the country is continuously strengthened which consists of 1,421 labs in the country with 944 labs in the government sector and 477 private labs, the ministry added.

-RJV

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