Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Home Blog Page 1331

Lockdown 3.0: Long queues outside liquor shops; things allowed in Delhi

People outside a liquor shop in Delhi (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): The third phase of extended lockdown kicks in from today for two more weeks as Centre allows a few relaxations in orange and green zones.

Districts in the country have been divided into red, orange and green zones. No activities will be allowed in the containment zones across the country.

Long queues were seen outside liquor shops at many places in the country including Delhi, which is following the Centre’s guidelines for the extended lockdown.

All wine shops in Delhi are following the social distancing norms with police deployment to deal with any law and order situation.

Yesterday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said in a webcast that the national capital is ready to “reopen” and there is a need to restart economic activities as revenues have dried up.

Notably, the government gets a huge revenue from the sale of liquor. The liquor shops were shut since the lockdown first kicked in from March 25.

Here are things allowed in Delhi from today:

  • Essential shops, stationery shops, standalone shops including liquor, neighborhood colony shops and shops in residential complexes, both essential and non-essential will be allowed to open.
  • 33 percent of attendance allowed in offices dealing with non-essential activities.
  • All private offices are allowed to open with 33% strength.
  • Technicians, plumbers, mechanics, electricians, sanitation workers, maids, etc who offer small services and are dependent on their daily work will be allowed.
  • IT-related services shops, call centres, data centres, warehousing services, cold storage, private security and facility management services.
  • Essential goods manufacturing units and supply chain, IT hardware manufacturing units.
  • Packaging material manufacturing units will be open
  • Two passengers in a car beside drives; only one person allowed on 2-wheelers, no pillion
  • Construction works at places where workers staying nearby
  • Marriage ceremonies with up to 50 people only while maintaining social distancing; 20 people allowed in a funeral
  • Agricultural activities, financial sector activities and goods carrier-related services

Inter-state movement relaxations for only those distressed, stranded, not all: MHA

MHA

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a clarification regarding the relaxation in inter-state movement of some people during the lockdown, saying that it is applicable to only distressed migrant workers, stranded pilgrims, students and tourists who had moved from their native places just before the lockdown and could not return.

“It is clarified that the MHA orders are meant to facilitate movement of such stranded persons, who had moved from their native places/workplaces, just before the lockdown period but could not return to their workplaces/native places on account of restrictions placed on movement of persons and vehicles as part of lockdown measures,” the MHA order which was issued yesterday by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla read.

The facilitation envisaged in the aforesaid orders is meant for such distressed persons, but does not extend to those categories of persons, who are otherwise residing normally at places, other than the native places for purposes of work etc., and who wish to visit their native places in normal course, the communication to Chief Secretaries on States read.

Several people including migrants labourers, students, pilgrims and tourists are stranded in the country since the lockdown kicked-in from March 25.

The MHA on Friday issued an order allowing Railways to operate trains to ferry migrant labourers to their native places on the consent on two states and following the social distancing norms, i.e., keeping distance between passengers in such trains.

The nationwide lockdown has entered its third phase from today as it was extended by two more weeks on Friday till May 17. the initial 21-day lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 night and was further extended by 19 days on April 14 (Till May 3).

Sardar Patel National Unity Award: Last date of nominations extended till Jun 30

New Delhi (NVI): The last date of invitation of nominations for Sardar Patel National Unity Award has been extended till June 30, the Ministry of Home Affairs said today.

The Centre has instituted the award as the highest civilian award in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, for contribution in promoting unity and integrity of India.

The award seeks to recognise the notable and inspiring contribution made by individuals or institutions or organizations in this field and reinforces the value of strong and united India.

Earlier, the government had extended the last date for sending the nominations for the award to April 30.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): As the nation enters the third phase of the countrywide lockdwon, amid rapid spike in COVID-19 cases, with total confirmed cases at 42,533 and 1,373 deaths so far, according to the Union Health Ministry.

After the first confirmed coronavirus case in India, which was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30, the virus has tightened its grip across the nation.

Total positive cases in different states/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 1,583

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 43

Bihar- 503

Chandigarh- 94

Chhattisgarh- 57

Delhi- 4,549

Gujarat- 5,428

Haryana – 442

Himachal Pradesh- 40

Jammu and Kashmir- 701

Jharkhand- 115

Karnataka- 614

Kerala- 500

Ladakh- 41

Madhya Pradesh- 2,846

Maharashtra- 12,974

Meghalaya- 12

Mizoram- 1

Odisha- 162

Puducherry- 8

Punjab- 1,102

Rajasthan- 2,886

Tamil Nadu- 3,023

Telengana- 1,082

Tripura- 16

Uttarakhand- 60

Uttar Pradesh- 2,645

West Bengal – 963

State/UT wise total death toll in the country:

Andhra Pradesh- 33

Assam- 1

Bihar- 2

Delhi- 64

Gujarat- 290

Haryana- 5

Himachal Pradesh- 1

Jammu and Kashmir- 8

Jharkhand- 3

Karnataka- 25

Kerala- 4

Madhya Pradesh- 156

Maharashtra- 548

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 1

Punjab- 21

Rajasthan- 71

Tamil Nadu- 30

Telangana- 29

Uttar Pradesh- 43

West Bengal- 35

A total of 11,707 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 29,453 active cases currently.

Coronavirus cases surge past 3.5 million globally

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases have exceeded to more than 3.5 million positive cases with more than 2,47,000 fatalities reported, according to John Hopkins University tally.

Meanwhile, Spain’s death toll rose by 164 to 25,264, the health ministry said, the lowest one-day increase since March 18.

In the US, more than 1.1 million cases and at least 67,000 Covid-19 related deaths have been recorded.

In Brazil, there were 4,588 new cases and 275 deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing total confirmed cases in the country over 1,00,000.

In addition to this, Australia, Malaysia and India are among countries in Asia that will begin to ease parts of their lockdown on Monday.

India’s tally tops 42,000; death toll mounts to 1,373

New Delhi (NVI): As lockdown 3.0 begins from today, the total number of coronavirus cases in India increased to 42,533 with 1,373 deaths from the pandemic, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The ministry also said that 2,553 fresh cases and 72 deaths have been reported in last 24 hours.

With 12,974 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains worst-affected state, followed by Gujarat with 5,428 cases and Delhi with 4,549 cases.

The other states with high number of cases are Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Centre extended the lockdown till May 17 and classified the entire country in red, orange and green zones based on the number of COVID-19 cases from that area.

So far, as many as 11,707 COVID-19 patients have been cured and discharged.

Delhi to implement Centre’s guidelines on lockdown 3.0 from tomorrow

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi will follow MHA guidelines issued on the third phase of lockdown from May 4 onwards, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today, while asserting that the National Capital was ready to “lift the lockdown” if allowed by the Centre.

The Delhi Chief Minister, while addressing a virtual press conference also highlighted certain activities that will be allowed as well as restrictions that are in place.


He said that it was time to permit all kinds of economic activities in the capital’s not-containment zones, instead of an entire shutdown. He said that the lockdown is having consequences on the economy as revenue is drying up.

Kejriwal said that from tomorrow, Delhi government offices engaged in essential services will function with full strength while private offices can operate with up to 33 per cent strength.

He said that self-employed people like electricians, plumbers and household help can begin work but barbers and salons will continue to remain closed. Markets and malls, excepts shops providing essential services will also remain closed. There will be no movement of people for non-essential work from 7pm to 7am, unless a medical emergency or situation, he said.

Public transport will not ply on roads in red zones. Private four-wheelers can have two people apart from driver but only one person will be allowed on two wheelers, he said.

Kejriwal further said that while religious places will remain shut, 50 people will be allowd in a wedding and 20 people in case of a death. He reiterated that social distancing and other safety norms will not be compromised at any cost.

The Delhi CM said that lockdown was necessary but time has come to re-open Delhi as economy was suffering due to the extended lockdown. He said that a large number of people will be forced to leave Delhi if they do not find work or get their salaries.

Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in J&K’s Poonch, Rajouri

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

Jammu (NVI): In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops tonight resorted to firing with small arms and mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and Rajouri districts, defence officials said.

Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation in Balakote sector in Poonch at around 9 pm, they said.

“At about 2100 hours Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms & shelling with Mortars along LoC in Balakote Sector, District Poonch(J&K),” they said.

Later, Pakistan also targeted Manjakote sector in Rajouri district, they said, adding that the Indian Army is retaliating befittingly.

The latest ceasefire violation by Pakistan comes close on the heels of fierce Handwara encounter in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, in which four Army personnel including two officers lost their lives. A J&K policeman, who was part of SOG (Special Operations Group) also lost his life in the overnight gunbattle. Two militants were eliminated in the gunfight that ended this morning.

WATCH | Illuminated warships in Kochi to salute Corona warriors

Southern Naval Command illuminated warships in Kochi (Kerala) this evening, as a thanksgiving gesture to healthcare professionals and all those at the forefront of the Covid-19 battle. Earlier in the day, the Indian Air Force and Indian Army conducted flypasts and band performances respectively to pay tribute to corona warriors in the country. Army and Navy choppers also showered flower petals at hospitals across the nation treating coronavirus patients.

Braveheart J&K cop who took terrorists head-on

Srinagar (NVI): In his career spanning over two decades, Sageer Pathan Qazi had earned three out of turn promotions as he rose from a Constable to a Sub-inspector, due to his passion for challenges and unflinching determination to take on terrorists in the Valley.

Born in 1978 in Trad Karnah of Kupwara district, Qazi joined as a Constable in Armed Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police in 1999, at the age of 21.

He volunteered for working in Police SOG (Special Operations Group), an elite Counter-Terrorist Force in 2006, and continued with his outstanding performance till yesterday, when he lost his life in an anti-terrorist operation at Chanjmulla in Handwara, while trying to save the lives of civilians taken hostage by two terrorists.

He was part of a joint team led by Commanding Officer of 21 RR, Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, including Major Anuj Sood and two soldiers of the same unit, all of whom lost their lives in the fierce overnight gunbattle.

A true Pathan, Qazi was honoured with various medals which include Sher-e-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry in 2009,  Police Medal for Gallantry by President of India in 2011, DGP J&K Commendation Medal and GOC-in-C, Northern Command Commendation Disc.

Yesterday, when inputs were received about the presence of terrorists in village Chanjmulla in Handwara, he led the SOG team under the command of District SP Handwara along with CO 21 RR and launched the operation. He was part of the original team which went in to evacuate the civilian inmates in a house who were taken hostage by the hiding terrorists, J&K police said in a statement today.


The team could safely rescue the inmates but came under heavy fire from the terrorists, during the evacuation process and suffered casualties.

The entire Jammu and Kashmir Police today paid tribute to the braveheart and other members of the operation led by Colonel Ashutosh in the Handwara operation. Qazi is survived by three daughters, a son and aged parents.

1...1,3301,3311,332...1,644Page 1,331 of 1,644

MUST READ