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Covid: CAT benches suspended till May 3

Batla House
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New Delhi (NVI): The functioning of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) benches will remain suspended till May 3, to contain the spread of Covid-19, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions said today.

The CAT benches adjudicate service matters of central government employees.

The feasibility of working on certain days already declared as holidays or vacation shall also be considered once the functioning begins, the Ministry said in a statement today.

The decision was taken based on information that the High Courts are not functioning and exceptional cases are dealt with through video conferencing.

In almost all places, the CAT benches are located at hotspots and the representatives of Bar have also expressed their difficulty in filing or pursuing the cases in this situation, the Ministry said in a statement.

Earlier, on April 14 it was stated by the ministry that the possibility of functioning of the CATs would be examined after April 20, “depending upon the decision which the government may take as regards the lockdown”.

66 new Covid-19 cases take Afghanistan tally to 1,092

New Delhi (NVI): A total of 66 new coronavirus cases were reported in Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, taking the total number of Covid-19 cases to 1,092, according to the country’s Health Ministry, Afghan media reported.

Among the new cases, 52 were reported in Kabul, 5 in Laghman, 4 in Baghlan, 4 in Nangarhar and 1 in Paktia, according to reports.

Kabul, with a total of 385 coronavirus infections, Herat at 334 and Qanadahar at 108, remain the country’s worst-affected areas.

More than a dozen staff members at the Afghan presidential palace have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, as per Afghan media reports.

15 people have recovered from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, Afghan Health Ministry spokesperson Wahidullah Maya was quoted as saying by TOLO news.

So far, 36 people have died due to pandemic across the country and 150 others have recovered.

Covid-19 impact on industry to extend beyond Q1: Assocham survey

Indian economy

New Delhi (NVI): The industry is most likely to witness economic stress due to nationwide lockdown forced by the Covid-19 well beyond first quarter of the current fiscal, according to the respondents of an ASSOCHAM-Primus Partners’ joint survey.

The survey report has also highlighted that companies are planning deferment or cancellation of investment plans and that more employers prefer to retain manpower than those seeking to reduce the head-count.

The ASSOCHAM-Primus Partners Survey was conducted across different sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure and services with a sample size of 3,552, encompassing all segments of the industry- small, medium and large.

As many as 79 per cent of the respondents pointed towards the economic impact of the Covid-19 extending beyond a single quarter with the lockdown resulting in breakdown in the supply chain – from raw material to intermediates to finished goods and transportation to the consumer destination.

“While we expect major easing of lockdown after May 3, even if some states continue with stringent restrictions, the industry faces a long haul of challenges till the world finds a medical solution to the Coronavirus pandemic. Hopefully, India remains among those least affected, aided by several factors like young population, ramp-up in health infrastructure, aided by nation-wide lockdown, though at a huge economic cost,” said ASSOCHAM Secretary General Deepak Sood.

“It goes to the credit of both employers and employees that we have so far avoided displacement of workforce. Companies are resorting to pragmatic solutions like reducing manpower costs and retaining the head count, while employees are responding well to the fast-developing situation being among the most important business stakeholders,” he added.

The survey also found that the biggest worry, as noted by 33 per cent respondents, arose from the lack of working capital while payment of salaries with output loss and without cash realisation was the second biggest pressure point for the industry ( 27 per cent).

Coming to business revenue, over 78 per cent of the respondents said the impact in the April-June quarter would be the maximum, while it would stretch to the subsequent quarter as well.

Regarding manpower, the survey noted that most of the participants (36 per cent) said there would be no change in the head count since the companies would like to retain the human resource for re-opening of the economy. However, as many as 26 per cent of the respondents did feel there could be reduction in manpower even beyond 20 per cent of the payroll because of on-going crisis.

While over 37 per cent of those surveyed said they were taking up cost containment initiatives, close to 29 per cent said they plan to defer or cancel their investment plans. A good number of them are resorting to change in financing plans, while the mergers and acquisitions, and remain on low key for now.

However a mixed picture emerged on the effectiveness of the government measures announced so far. While 34 per cent the measures were “somewhat effective”, another 27 per cent noted ”no effect”.

As per the survey, key challenges included lack of raw material, productivity loss, insufficient staffing to carry out critical work and limited operations due to transport operations.

12 new positive cases in J&K, tally jumps to 380

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Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir government today said that 12 more persons have tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of cases in the Union Territory to 380. The UT administration said that there would be no relaxation in 92 red zones of J&K, considering the present situation.

Addressing a press conference at Jammu, JK government spokesperson Rohit Kansal said that 12 new cases have tested positive today in J&K of which 11 are from Kashmir and one from Jammu’s Kathua district which has reported its first case today.

Of the new cases, 11 are from Kashmir and one from Kathua district of Jammu division, he said, adding that total number of cases in J&K is 380 of which Jammu has 56 and Kashmir 324.

Kansal further said that there have been 81 recoveries across the J&K so far as the government continues to fight the pandemic with all its resources. “There were, unfortunately, five deaths too,” he said.

The government spokesman said that that 60,000 people have been enlisted for surveillance of which 35,000 have completed mandatory 28-days quarantine. “Of the 380 cases, there are 294 active cases. 251 active cases are in Kashmir and 38 in Jammu region,” he said.

He said that so far, 75 to 80 per cent Covid-19 patients have been found as “asymptomatic” while remaining had clear symptoms of the virus. Kansal said that in J&K UT, there are 92 red zones of which 14 are in Jammu and 78 in Kashmir division.

“These red zones will be under strict restrictions, extra surveillance, and enhanced testing will be done for the people living there,” he said.  “People living in red zones, hotspots and containment areas will have to face restrictions. We want to assure the people that administration and the health department are doing everything to minimise the inconvenience to the people.”

Kansal addd that continued support of people and cooperation has led to proactive contact tracing in J&K which has helped the government to arrest the transmission of the disease. “I would like to state here that our testing rate has considerably improved and at present our testing rate is 703 per million, one of the highest in the country. We are targeting 1000 per day,” he said.

“We are also planning to enhance the testing capacity by adding more labs. We are getting more manpower, automatic machines and ensuring all gadgets through the supply chain. We are also ensuring sample collection centers at all districts. This all has slowed the growth of virus,” he added.

He also said that the supply of essential commodities in Kashmir is normal and that 1,000 trucks have reached Kashmir today with essential supplies including fruit, vegetable, LPG etc. “We understand that a section of people is facing economic hardships and they are being covered under Prime Minister’s Gareeb Kalyan Yojna across J&K,” he said, adding that 2.5 lakh people have been benefited under this scheme so far in the UT.

Unprecedented collapse in economic activity over last few weeks: FICCI

New Delhi (NVI): Industry body FICCI has conducted a survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 crisis on economic activities which says that 70 per cent of the surveyed firms are expecting degrowth in sales in the fiscal year 2020-21.

Covid-19 pandemic is severely impacting the Indian economy and the industry. The magnitude and speed of collapse in economic activity that India has seen over the last few weeks is unprecedented.

In the ‘FICCI–Dhruva survey’ almost 72% of the respondents have reported that covid-19 is having a ‘high to very high’ level of impact on their business.

Further, a substantial majority of the respondents do not foresee a positive demand outlook for their business in this fiscal, with 70% of the surveyed firms expecting a degrowth in sales in the fiscal year 2020-21, according to the survey.

A vast majority also foresee a reduction in their business cashflows and company’s order book. The survey also highlights that unless a substantive economic package is announced by the government immediately, permanent impairment of a large section of the industry is foreseen, which may lose the opportunity for many businesses to come back to life again.

The survey report further says that jobs are also at risk over the coming months as nearly three-fourths of the surveyed firms said that they may look at some reduction in manpower in their respective companies.

The findings were revealed in a joint nationwide survey of businesses conducted by FICCI and Dhruva Advisors over the last week. The survey was conducted to elicit how enterprises are getting impacted in terms of their business operations; what steps are being planned to maintain business continuity; what is their outlook for business in the FY 2021 and what are their expectations from the government in this hour of crisis.

The survey saw participation from almost 380 companies from across sectors and has thrown up some very important results and insights that should be useful for the policymakers as they plan for the next steps of their integrated approach to support Indian industry.

FICCI President Dr Sangita Reddy said: “The Covid-19 pandemic is causing deep economic harm and could reverse the gains made in the industrial economy over many decades. There is a need to render immediate and sizable support to industry to protect people, jobs, and enterprises. Industry members are reeling under severe financial stress and are in urgent need of ample liquidity to ensure business continuity. We are hopeful that the government will introduce a series of measures in quick succession to support demand ensure business continuity. This would be a confidence booster and we hope sentiment will improve following the economic package.”

Dinesh Kanabar, CEO, Dhruva Advisors said: “The broad-based survey shows the deep impact that Covid-19 is likely to leave on the Indian economy in the short to medium term. Clearly, the plans prepared by businesses on fund-raising, investments and expansion are being pushed back. Businesses will focus on cost optimisation and supply chain management. There is a significant expectation from the Government for a financial stimulus and providing liquidity, including by way of tax refunds and cheaper credit, so that the economy returns to normalcy faster.”

The survey also highlights the impact covid-19 has had on companies’ expansion plans. Results show that in respect of approved expansion plans, 61% expect to defer such expansions for a period upto 6 or 12 months, while 33% percent expect to defer approved expansion plans for more than 12 months. Further, while 60% of the surveyed firms have deferred their fund-raising plans for the next 6-12 months, nearly 25% of the firms have shelved the same.

Coronavirus cases cross 2.5 mn worldwide; death toll exceeds 1,70,000

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases worldwide has crossed 2.5 million, with a whopping 1 lakh 70 thousand deaths. More than 6 lakh 46 thousand patients have reportedly recovered from the deadly virus that has spread in more than 180 countries.

US President Donald Trump has said that he will suspend all immigration into the country temporarily through an executive order to avoid further virus risks, as the total number of confirmed cases crossed the 8,00,000 mark in the country.

There have been 43,006 deaths in the country so far, while 73,379 people have recovered from the novel coronavirus. Total confirmed cases stand at 8,00,932.

Trump said that he plans to sign an executive order to temporarily suspend immigration “in light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy”.

Meanwhile, France has become the fourth country to have more than 20,000 COVID deaths, after the US, Italy and Spain.

In another development, UK has reported large increases in hospital and care home deaths in April. More than 1,000 people have died in care homes from the virus by 10 April, up from 217, the previous week, according to reports in foreign media. Apart from this, the number of people who died in private homes have also more than tripled, to 466.

According to the latest official figures, COVID-19 fatalities in care homes in England and Wales have more than quadrupled in a week, rising to 1,043.

On the other hand, one of the worst affected countries by COVID-19, Italy has recorded 24,414 deaths so far. There are 1,81,228 confirmed cases in the country while 48,877 people have recovered. The country had yesterday recorded the first single-day drop in infections since 10th March.

According to foreign media reports, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said today that the country is likely to start easing its coronavirus lockdown from May 4. However, the long-awaited rollback will be cautious and calculated, he said.

Germany, Poland and Norway have also started easing their lockdown.

In another news, Indonesia, which has a large Muslim population, has banned mass travel ahead of Eid festival, amid COVID-19 fears. According to reports millions of people across Indonesia have been left with no income as a result of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. There have been 616 corona deaths in Indonesia so far, with 7135 confirmed cases and 842 recoveries.

Apart from that, China, the epicenter of the global pandemic, reported a Covid case in northwestern Chinese province. It is the first case in the province in nearly three weeks, all involving travellers from overseas, according to reports. Notably, imported infections in the rest of China has started to ease.

Coronavirus cases reach 9,505 in Pakistan, death toll at 197

COVID-19: Pakistan imposes mini-lockdown in Islamabad

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has reached 9,505, with 197 deaths so far, according to Geo News.

Nearly half of the total confirmed cases are from Punjab province alone, at 4,195.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, the Sindh province has reported 3,053 cases while Balochistan has 465 cases so far. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has 1,276 cases, Islamabad 185, Gilgit Baltistan 281 and 50 in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

No new cases of recovery were reported in the last 24 hours. So far, around 2,000 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the virus in the country.

Pakistan has been under lockdown for over a month now to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Kashmiri students stuck in Rajasthan to return home after over a month

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): At least 276 Kashmiri students and a few pilgrims, who were airlifted in mid-March from Iran and lodged at an army facility at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan will return to their homes after a gap of over a month.

In mid-March, 276 Kashmiri students, who were pursuing MBBS at Iran and a few pilgrims were airlifted after pandemic gripped the country and people started falling prey to the virus in large numbers. The evacuees were then lodged at an army facility at Jaisalmer where they completed 14 days mandatory quarantine on March 29. They were kept at the army facility even after completing their quarantine period, in view of the restrictions imposed amid the nationwide lockdown.

Today, almost after over a month, all 276 students and pilgrims were airlifted from Jaisalmer in an Indian Airforce (IAF) aircraft, that would land in Srinagar this evening. Confirming the development, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Shahid Iqbal Tweeted: “It feels so good to be able to bring good news and it happens rarely. Flights carrying many stranded pilgrims/students (Iran returnees) are about to touch base in Srinagar n they will be headed home after screening. Teams to facilitate transport.”

The news brought smiles on the faces of dozens of parents who had been moving from pillar to post to press for the early homecoming of their children.

Shabir Hussain, whose daughter was also at the Jaisalmer army facility for over a month, said the news came to him as a surprise. “I am preparing to receive my daughter and other students,” said Hussain, who along with dozens of other parents, had staged a protest at Srinagar to press for the early return of their wards from Jaisalmer camp.

Earlier in March, Union Minister for External Affairs Minister S Jaishanker had flown to Srinagar to meet parents of students stranded in Iran. The Minister had assured the parents that their children would be evacuated from Iran, one of the worst-hit countries by COVID-19.

“Finally it’s a homecoming for us. We are so happy to fly back to Srinagar,” Zaida, a student told NVI over the phone from Jaisalmer, minutes before boarding the IAF plane for Srinagar.

First doctor in Kashmir tests Covid-19 positive at GMC Baramulla

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A junior resident doctor posted at Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla in north Kashmir was tested positive for COVID-19 today. He is the first doctor in Kashmir who has tested positive for the deadly disease.

An official told NVI that a junior doctor posted at GMC Baramulla was tested positive after he came in contact with a positive patient. He said that all his contacts have been traced and they have been also put under quarantine.

Medical Superintendent, GMC Baramulla, Dr. Syed Masood Bukhari also confirmed that a junior resident doctor has been tested positive. He said that around 18 contacts of the doctor have been put under quarantine at GMC Baramulla. “The doctor has also been kept under isolation at GMC,” he added.

Sources said that a massive contact tracing exercise was launched and all the people who had come in contact with the doctor have been identified and traced. “All his contacts are being put under quarantine. The doctor who tested positive was on the frontline of serving the patients including those with symptoms of virus,” they said.

A massive decontamination drive was launched at GMC Baramulla and all wards and rooms have been sanitized, they said.

A doctor posted at GMC Baramulla, however, said that panic gripped the entire hospital as the news of junior resident doctor testing positive came in. “Doctors are frontline Covid-19 warriors and they have every chance to get infected. This (infections to doctors) has to stop here, otherwise, no doctor would be present in the hospitals to look after Covid patients,” he said, requesting anonymity.

The doctor also sought people’s cooperation and urged them to maintain proper distancing at hospitals.

Coronavirus cases near 3,400 in Bangladesh; 110 dead so far

Bangladesh lockdown

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of deaths from the deadly coronavirus continues to rise in Bangladesh as 9 more people have died in the last 24 hours, taking the total casualties in the country to 110, according to United News of Bangladesh.

Besides, a record number of 434 people tested positive for coronavirus during the period, raising the number of such cases in the country to 3,382.

So far, a total of 87 patients have recovered from the disease and 89 more taken to isolation, Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Nasima Sultana said.

Meanwhile, district of Dhaka houses the highest number of COIVD-19 patients in the country.

In addition to this, 20 Bangladeshis have been evacuated from Turkey by a chartered flight today.

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