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RN-1127/57 TECH/GH – 103/2018-2020, VOL. 82, NO. 196 GUWAHATI, MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020
82 years of service to the nation
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JOCOSERIOUS
Virus deathsJOHANNESBURG, July
19: The number of peoplearound the world who havedied as a result of thenovel coronaviruspandemic has passed the600,000 mark as countriesfrom the US to SouthAfrica to India struggle tocontain infections. – AP
Death tollGUWAHATI, July 19:
Four more persons –Pramod Chandra Sarma(62) and Binapani Das (78)of Kamrup (Metro)district, SK Wagle (46) ofCachar and Prasanta Saikia(74) of Tinsukiasuccumbed to COVID-19today. The toll has rose to57. – Staff Reporter
Cop infectionGUWAHATI, July 19:
Till Saturday evening,altogether 823 AssamPolice personnel havetested positive, of whom444 have recovered. Onthe other hand, 814personnel are underquarantine, while 29 haverejoined duty. – StaffReporter
MonsoonNEW DELHI, July 19:
The country has receivedsix per cent more rainfallthan normal so far in thismonsoon season, butprecipitation in parts ofnorth India remainsdeficient, the IMD said onSunday. – PTI
SIVASISH THAKUR
GUWAHATI, July 19: The one-
man judicial commission constituted
by the State government to probe
media reports of rampant illegal coal
mining in the Dehing Patkai rainfor-
est belt, including both the elephant
reserve and the wildlife sanctuary, has
been given a wide mandate for un-
earthing the deep-rooted nexus be-
hind the illegalities.
The probe headed by Justice (retd)
BP Katakey will encompass a wide
range of issues that have apparently
been brushed under the carpet by
various government authorities, in-
cluding the forest and police depart-
ments. The commission will submit
its report within six months from the
date of issuance of the notification.
Official sources told The Assam
Tribune that the probe had been
mandated to look into the alleged il-
legal coal mining activities in four re-
Probe panel given wide mandate for unearthing illegalitiesserve forests (RFs) and proposed re-
serve forests (PRFs) – Saleki PRF of
Digboi Division, Tipong PRF, Jeypore
RF of Dibrugarh Division, and Dilli
RF of Sibsagar Division – including in
the Tikok Open Cast Project (OCP)
area by Coal India Limited and its sub-
sidiaries, besides by some unscrupu-
lous individuals.
“In addition, allegations of large-scale
illegal opencast mining by the mafia at
other forests such as Namphai, Tinko-
pani, Lekhapani, etc., under Digboi Di-
vision will also be covered by the in-
quiry. Assessing the adverse environ-
mental impact on the flora and fauna of
these forests will be another aspect of
the probe,” sources added.
The commission has also been
tasked with looking into the allega-
tions of violation of the Forest (Con-
servation) Act, 1980, the Assam For-
est Regulation, 1891, and the Wild-
life (Protection) Act, 1972, in the proc-
ess of coal mining activities carried
out by Coal India Limited and its sub-
sidiaries in Saleki and other areas.
Sources said the rampant violations
of the Mines and Minerals (Develop-
ment & Regulation) Act, 1957 and the
Rules framed there under, regulating
mining lease, period of lease, collection
of different royalties, preservation of
area for conservation, penalty and re-
covery for unauthorised mining, resto-
ration and rehabilitation of mined area,
prevention of illegal mining, transpor-
tation and storage by any corporation,
organisation or individual during the last
20 years would also come under the
ambit of the investigation.
SEE PAGE 6
Flood death toll inState goes up to 84
Heavy rainfall forecast till July 21
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19:The Regional Meteorolog-ical Centre here on Sundayissued red alert of heavyrainfall till July 21 for Aru-nachal Pradesh, Assam andMeghalaya. The alert hascome at a time when theflood situation of Assam hasshown signs of improve-ment in the last 48 hours.
Meanwhile, flood-induced
death toll in the State touched
84 on Sunday with five new
fatalities reported from Bar-
peta (1), Baksa (1), Dhubri
(1), Morigaon (1) and Nagaon
(1) districts.
According to the Assam
State Disaster Management
Authority (ASDMA), alto-
gether 24 districts – Dhemaji,
Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Dar-
rang, Baksa, Nalbari, Barpeta,
Chirang, Bongaigaon, Kokra-
jhar, Dhubri, South Salmara,
Goalpara, Kamrup, Kamrup
(Metro), Morigaon, Nagaon,
Golaghat, Jorhat, Majuli,
Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia
and Cachar – were reeling un-
der flood waters, affecting
25,29,312 people and sub-
merging 1,12,138 hectares of
cropland in 2,400 villages un-
der 70 revenue circles.
The Brahmaputra river in
Jorhat, Sonitpur, Goalpara
and Dhubri, Dhansiri in Gola-
ghat, Jia Bharali in Sonitpur,
Kopili in Nagaon, Beki in
Barpeta, Kushiyara in Kar-
imganj and Sankosh in Dhu-
bri have been flowing above
danger level.
According to ASDMA, a to-
tal of 4,53,360 people have
been affected in Goalpara mak-
ing it the worst-hit district. In
Kamrup (Metro) district, flood
waters have affected altogeth-
er 43,671 people in Sonapur,
Chandrapur and Dispur reve-
nue circles. Among the affect-
ed people, 50,559 people are
taking shelter in 521 relief
camps across the State.
Flood waters have dam-
aged a number of embank-
ments in Dibrugarh and
Chirang districts along with
a number of roads in Dibru-
garh, Barpeta and Goalpara
districts in the past 24 hours.
Several flood-triggered inci-
dents of erosion have also
been reported from Biswa-
nath, Dibrugarh, Majuli and
Chirang districts on Sunday.
A number of forest camps
in Kaziranga National Park
and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctu-
ary are still reeling under
flood waters. In Kaziranga,
floods have claimed lives of
108 animals so far.
Modi speaks to Sonowal overflood situation, assures support
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19:
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on Sunday telephoned
Chief Minister Sarbananda
Sonowal and took stock of the
flood, erosion, COVID-19 and
Baghjan oil well fire situation
and expressed solidarity with
the people of Assam during
these difficult times.
He also enquired about the
steps taken by the State Gov-
ernment for the relief and re-
habilitation of flood-affected
people and treatment of
COVID-19 positive patients.
During the conversation,
Sonowal apprised the Prime
Minister that 26 districts of
the State have been affected
by the current wave of flood
and the State government is
taking steps for providing
shelter to the flood-affected
people in the relief camps set
up for the purpose and strict
adherence to COVID-19
protocols have been ensured
in those relief camps.
Sonowal also informed that
have farm lands and houses
been severely affected by
erosion. The district adminis-
trations have been instructed
to tackle the problems due to
floods. The Chief Minister has
been visiting different places
to monitor and assess the dam-
age caused by flood and ero-
sion along with the rescue and
rehabilitation operations.
Informing about the COV-
ID-19 scenario in the State,
Sonowal apprised the Prime
Minister that the number of
positive cases was increasing
in the State.
Sonowal expressed confi-
dence that the Health Depart-
ment would be able to handle
the situation even if the
number of positive cases goes
up rapidly in the near future.
SEE PAGE 6
Covid fatalityrates of NE
states amongcountry’s lowestSPL CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, July 19:
The Centre on Sunday
said India has one of the
lowest fatality rates in
the world with four
northeastern states of
Manipur, Nagaland, Mi-
zoram and Sikkim hav-
ing zero case fatality rate
(CFR). Assam has a CFR
of 0.23 per cent.
According to Health
Ministry data, the north-
eastern states have less
than one per cent CFR.
Arunachal Pradesh, Meg-
halaya and Tripura have a
CFR of 0.46 per cent, 0.48
per cent and 0.19 per cent
respectively.
Support to Tibet’s cause getting stronger: Sangay
RITURAJ BORTHAKUR
GUWAHATI, July 19: De-
tection of 24 fresh COVID-
19 cases at Raj Bhavan on
Sunday despite strict con-
tainment measures for more
than a fortnight has stunned
many. The total number of
positive cases at the high se-
curity complex at Kharguli
hills now stands at 70.
Initially, it began from two
security men who tested
positive, after which samples
of around 200 staff, including
the Governor, were taken.
Two more employees - the
generator operator and a
computer assistant tested
positive later. Following the
development, Raj Bhavan
was declared a containment
70 COVID-19 casesreported in Raj Bhavan
zone on July 4.
But despite the contain-
ment measures, positive cas-
es continued to surface there.
Fifty four families reside
inside the complex which also
houses a company of paramil-
itary, special branch men be-
sides the staff of the Gover-
nor’s secretariat.
By July 6, the number of
positive cases rose to 12,
which included four CRPF
men, the Governor’s doctor
and his laundry man who was
allegedly doing work even af-
ter giving his samples for test
on July 1. Ten days later, IAS
officer SS Meenakshi Sunda-
ram, who is the Commission-
er & Secretary to the Gover-
nor also tested positive.
By then, around 45 staff and
security personnel of the Raj
Bhavan had tested positive.
As officials were preparing
to resume work at the Gov-
ernor’s secretariat, the Health
Department launched a fresh
testing drive at Raj Bhavan as
a precautionary measure, ini-
tially with rapid antigen detec-
tion kits that detected a fresh
positive case. Three more cas-
es emerged later, and another
round of RT-PCR tests were
conducted, which found 24
more positive cases today. Test
results of some are awaited.
“Some of the persons who
tested positive today had
never moved out of their res-
idences since July 2. It is
strange as to how they got
infected,” one of the employ-
ees exclaimed.
R DUTTA CHOUDHURY
GUWAHATI, July 19: Glo-
bal support towards the
cause of the Tibetans is get-
ting stronger, said the Presi-
dent of the Central Tibetan
Administration (Tibetan
Government in Exile), Dr
Lobsang Sangay. He also said
that in recent times, China
has been trying to strength-
en its hold on Nepal.
In an interview with The
Assam Tribune, Dr Sangay
said that they are hopeful of
solving the issue of Tibet
soon. But at the same time,
he admitted that they were
also prepared for the worst
and are ready to brave any
kind of obstacle to achieve the
goal in the days ahead.
“Keeping in mind the cur-
rent India-China conflicts
ranging from border dispute
to international relations, I
feel that only the ‘Middle Way
Approach’ is the way for-
ward to resolving our issue
and the India-China conflict
too,” Dr Sangay said.
Dr Sangay said that
since the early 1970s, the
Central Tibetan Administra-
tion has pursued dialogue with
the Chinese government
based on the ‘Middle Way
Approach’ as envisioned by
His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The global support which the
Tibetan cause received has
further re-affirmed CTA’s
commitment to the ‘Middle
Way Approach’. “China will
not achieve the global stand-
ing it desires with its current
path of coercion and military
aggression and record of gross
human rights violation. It can-
not continue on the current
set trajectory and image. I
hope that Chinese govern-
ment appreciates it and come
to the table to genuinely
discuss the Tibet issue,” he
said.
Asserting that the global
support to the cause of Tibet
is increasing, Dr Sangay said
that just recently, the UN
experts called on the United
Nation Human Rights Coun-
cil to investigate in Tibet.
And to add to that during the
recently held EU-China sum-
mit, EU raised the issue of
Tibet and their concerns over
nnnnn Also see page 3
the deteriorating human
rights situation in Tibet. “As
you might know, the Tibetan
Policy and Support Act was
recently passed with an
overwhelming majority vote
in the US House of Repre-
sentatives,” he said.
Dr Sangay said there is a
strong global support for
Tibet because the Tibet is-
sue represents the story of
injustice and gross human
rights violation. “Those who
support the Tibetans are not
just supporting the Tibetan
people but are also pro-jus-
tice, pro-freedom,” he said.
Dr Lobsang Sangay
SEE PAGE 6
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal along with ministers Keshab Mahanta and Pijush Hazarika takes a boat ride to assess theflood situation in Morigaon district on Sunday. – UB Photos
24 tested positive on Sunday
Illegal opencast mining inside Namphai forest
Opencast mining in Dehing Patkai region
MONDAY, JULY 20, 20202 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI
Purbi Jain of St. Claret
School, Borjhar has
secured 99.6 percentage
in the CBSE class X
examination 2020. She has
scored 100 marks in five
subjects and 98 marks in
one subject making the
entire region proud. She is
the daughter of Mr. Sanjay
Kumar Jain and Mrs. Hema
Jain from Bijoynagar.
The management, staff
and students are proud of
her achievement. We
congratulate her and wish
her all the best in her
further studies.
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WASHINGTON, July 19: The Indi-
an-American community could be “an
absolute difference maker” in battle-
ground states in the November 3 pres-
idential elections, a top Democratic
leader has said.
As a little over 100 days are left for the
elections, both the Republican and the
Democratic parties are making huge ef-
forts to reach out to the small but influen-
tial Indian-American community in some
of the key battleground states such as
Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Thomas Perez, chair of the Democrat-
ic National Committee, on Saturday said
that Michigan has 125,000 Indian-Amer-
ican voters.
“We lost Michigan by 10,700 votes in
2016,” he said, referring to the loss of
Hillary Clinton, the then Democratic
presidential nominee at the hands of Pres-
‘Indian-American voterscould make huge difference’
Presidential polls: Battleground states
ident Donald Trump.
In the eight battleground States of Ar-
izona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North
Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wis-
consin, there are 1.3 million Indian Amer-
ican voters.
“In Pennsylvania, (there are) 156,000
(Indian-American voters). We (Demo-
cratic party) lost (presidential elections
in) Pennsylvania by 42,000 (votes). In
Wisconsin (there are) 37,000 (Indian-
Americans). We lost Wisconsin by 21,000
(votes) in 2016,” said the head of the Dem-
ocratic party.
“The Indian-American vote, the AAPI
(Asian-American and Pacific Islanders)
vote more broadly, can be an absolute dif-
ference maker (in the 2020 presidential
elections),” Perez said at a virtual event,
“An Electorate Coming of Age: Indian
Americans for Biden,” jointly hosted by
the South Asians for Biden along with
AAPI Victory Fund and Indian-American
Impact Fund.
“We are hustling to the finishing line –
108 days till the weekend. Think about those
three states alone that I mentioned. The In-
dian-American votes alone can be the differ-
ence in moving forward,” Perez said. – PTI
WASHINGTON, July 19: UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
has called for a New Social Contract
and a New Global Deal to address
inequality across the world.
COVID-19 is a human tragedy, but it
has also created a generational
opportunity to build back a more
equitable and sustainable world, Xinhua
news agency quoted Guterres as saying
in his Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
address, which was delivered virtually
on Saturday.
“The response to the pandemic, and
to the widespread discontent that
preceded it, must be based on a New
Social Contract and a New Global Deal
that create equal opportunities for all
and respect the rights and freedoms
of all.”
This is the only way that the world
will meet the goals of the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development, the Paris
Agreement on climate change and the
Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing
for development – agreements that
address precisely the failures that are
being exposed and exploited by the
pandemic, he said.
A New Social Contract within
societies will enable young people
to live in dignity, will ensure women
have the same prospects and
opportunities as men, and will
protect the sick, the vulnerable,
and minorities of all kinds.
“To close those gaps,
and to make the New
Social Contract
Guterres calls forNew Social Contract,
New Global Dealpossible, we need a New Global Deal
to ensure that power, wealth and
opportunities are shared more broadly
and fairly at the international level.”
A new model for global governance
must be based on full, inclusive and
equal participation in global
institutions, he said.
“Without that, we face even wider
inequalities and gaps in solidarity, like
those we see today in the fragmented
global response to the COVID-19
pandemic.”
In his address titled “Tackling the
Inequality Pandemic: a New Social
Contract for a New Era,” Guterres said
COVID-19 has laid bare risks that have
been ignored for decades: inadequate
health systems, gaps in social protection,
structural inequalities, environmental
degradation, the climate crisis.
The New Social Contract, between
governments, people, civil society,
business and more, must integrate
employment, sustainable development
and social protection,
based on equal rights and
opportunities for all. –
IANS
China’s top universitysacks Xi Jinping’s critic
BEIJING, July 19: China’s
top university has sacked a law
professor, who is a staunch crit-
ic of the ruling Chinese Com-
munist Party leadership in-
cluding the constitutional
amendment facilitating indefi-
nite tenure for President Xi
Jinping by scrapping the two-
term limit.
Xu Zhangrun, an outspo-
ken Chinese law professor of
the Tsinghua University, has
been formally notified of his
removal on Saturday, Hong
Kong-based South China
Morning Post reported on
Sunday.
The Tsinghua University,
whose famous alumni include
President Xi, has been listed
as China’s number one uni-
versity by the Times Higher
Education World University
Rankings.
The notification, dated on
Wednesday, was sent to Xu
by courier, the report said
quoting a friend who re-
quested anonymity for fear of
retribution.
The Tsinghua University,
where 57-year-old Xu
worked for 20 years, said it
took the decision after a
meeting on July 10.
Xu, a prominent legal
scholar, is one of the very few
academics to have publicly
challenged the Communist
Party of China (CPC) leader-
ship in recent years in a
number of essays published
online in China and overseas.
“We have verified that Xu
Zhangrun has published many
essays since July 2018 and it
is a serious violation of the
’10 standards of professional
conduct for teachers in terti-
ary institutes in the new
era’,” the notification read.
The guidelines, issued by
the Ministry of Education in
2018, said teachers would be
fired or punished if they said
or did anything that under-
mines the authority of the CPC
or violated the directions and
policies of the party.
Earlier this month, Xu was
taken away by Chengdu po-
lice from his Beijing home.
His wife was later informed
that he was arrested for so-
liciting prostitutes while trav-
elling to the capital of Sichuan
province, a claim dismissed
by Xu’s friends as an attempt
to discredit him. Xu was re-
leased last Sunday and he re-
turned home after six days
of detention. – PTI
GENEVA, July 19: The number of
new cases of coronavirus rose by almost
260,000 in 24 hours — the largest single-
day increase since the pandemic began,
the World Health Organization (WHO)
has said.
According to WHO, this is the first
time the number of new daily infections
has surpassed a quarter of a million,
BBC reported.
The biggest increases were in the
US, Brazil, India and South Africa.
The global death toll from
coronavirus also rose by 7,360 — the
largest daily increase since May 10.
The previous record rise in new
confirmed cases was recorded by WHO
just one day earlier.
The total number of confirmed cases
of coronavirus passed 14 million on
Saturday, with over 600,000 recorded
deaths, according to the tally kept by
Record single-day globalspike in corona cases: WHO
US-based Johns Hopkins University.
Cases are surging in several US
states, particularly in southern states
that were initially reluctant to enforce
lockdowns or mandate the wearing of
masks. Florida, Texas and Arizona have
seen particularly high surges.
Florida is currently the epicentre of
the US epidemic. The state recorded
more than 10,000 new infections and 90
more deaths on Saturday, bringing its
total number of cases to more than
337,000 and its death toll to more than
5,000.
In recent weeks, hospitals across the
state had also warned that their ICUs
were at capacity and that they were
unable to accept any new patients.
Measures to stem the spread of the
virus, including wearing masks, have
become highly politicised in the US.
– IANS
LONDON, July 19: A 50-mile-wide swarm of
flying ants has been making its way over the UK
– and it has been spotted from space due to the
massive size, it was reported on Sunday.
The enormous cloud of ants was picked up by
the Met Office’s weather radar over Kent and
Sussex on England’s southeast coast, Sky News
said in a report.
The weather service said smaller swarms
could also be seen over London.
A video was released by the Met Office, along-
side a tweet saying: “It’s not raining in London,
Kent or Sussex, but our radar says otherwise.
“The radar is actually picking up a swarm of
#flyingants across the southeast.
“During the summer, ants can take to the skies
in a mass emergence usually on warm, humid
and windless days #flyingantday’.”
A spokesman for the Met Office said there
were likely to be “thousands” of ants within
the swarm.
“It’s not unusual for larger swarms to be
picked up,” Sky News quoted the spokesman
as saying.
“A similar thing happened almost exactly a
year ago on ‘Flying Ant Day’.
“On days when it is sunny, the radar detects
the swarm but we are able to see they are not
the same shape as water droplets, and in fact
look more insect-like,” he added.
Large swarms of the insects appear – in what
is widely known as “Flying Ant Day” – when
males and new queens leave the nest to mate,
with many ant colonies doing so on the same
day. The Royal Society of Biology points out
there is not always one such day, with flying
ants spotted on as many as 96 per cent of the
days between June and September. – IANS
Giant swarm of flying ants spotted from space!
Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse people during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inJerusalem on Saturday. Protesters demanded that the embattled leader resign as he faces a trial on corruption chargesand grapples with a deepening coronavirus crisis. – AP/PTI
JERUSALEM, July 19: Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s corruption trial
resumed on Sunday, as the long-
serving leader faces mounting
discontent over his handling of the
coronavirus crisis.
Netanyahu is charged with fraud,
breach of trust and accepting bribes
in a series of scandals in which he is
alleged to have received lavish gifts
from billionaire friends and
exchanged regulatory favours with
media moguls for more agreeable
coverage of himself and his family.
Netanyahu denies wrongdoing,
painting the accusations as a media-
orchestrated witch-hunt pursued by
a biased law enforcement system.
The trial opened in May.
Just before appearing in front of
the judges, Netanyahu took to a
podium inside the courthouse and
flanked by his party members
bashed the country’s legal
institutions in an angry tirade.
Netanyahu was not expected to
appear at Sunday’s hearing, which
is taking place at a Jerusalem court
and is mostly a procedural
deliberation that will determine the
pace at which the trial will proceed.
The trial resumes as Netanyahu
Netanyahu’s graft trial resumesamid Israeli virus anger
faces widespread anger over his
government’s handling of the
coronavirus crisis.
While the country appeared to
have tamped down a first wave of
infections, what’s emerged as a
hasty and erratic reopening has sent
infections soaring. Yet even amid the
rise in new cases, Netanyahu and
his emergency government
“formed with the goal of dealing
with the crisis” appeared to neglect
the numbers and moved forward
with other policy priorities and its
reopening plans.
It has since paused them and even
reimposed restrictions, including a
weekend only lockdown set to begin
later this week.
Netanyahu and his government
have been criticised for a baffling,
halting response to the new wave,
which has seen daily cases rise to
nearly 2,000. It has been slammed
for its handling of the economic
fallout of the crisis.
While Israel has pledged billions
of dollars worth of aid, it hasn’t all
been doled out to those in need, and
a plan to give a stipend to all Israelis,
even the wealthy, has been panned
by the country’s leading economists.
The first and second round of
restrictions has battered the
economy and sent unemployment
skyrocketing to more than 20 pc,
up from 3.9 pc before the outbreak.
The anger has boiled over into
protests over the past few weeks
that have culminated in violent
clashes with police. – AP
SEOUL, July 19: North Korean
leader Kim Jong Un presided over
a Central Military Commission
meeting of the ruling Workers’ Par-
ty and discussed “the key issues of
further bolstering a war deterrent
of the country”, state media report-
ed on Sunday.
The meeting held on Saturday
also examined the “strategic mis-
sion” of major military units for
coping with the “military situation
around the Korean Peninsula” and
approved “major key munitions
production plan indices”, according
to Pyongyang’s Korean Central
News Agency (KCNA).
“The enlarged meeting dis-
cussed issues of intensifying the
party’s education and guidance of
commanders and political officials
of the people’s army and stressed
the need to thoroughly arm the
young commanding officers,” Yon-
hap News Agency quoted KCNA
as saying.
“Then there was a closed meet-
ing... to examine the strategic mis-
sion of the major units for coping
with the military situation in the
vicinity of the Korean Peninsula and
Kim Jong Un discusses ‘wardeterrent’ at party meeting
the potential military threat and the
alert posture and to discuss the key
issues of further bolstering a war
deterrent of the country,” it added.
Kim signed the orders to exe-
cute tasks that had been dealt with
during the meetings. The KCNA,
however, did not say what meas-
ures related to the “war deterrent”
were discussed, though the term
usually means nuclear weapons and
ballistic missiles.
Nor did it mention any measures
related to South Korea.
Saturday’s meeting came after
Kim attended a preliminary session
of the Central Military Commission
last month and suspended all mili-
tary plans that the North had threat-
ened to take against South Korea
in anger over anti-Pyongyang prop-
aganda leaflets, Yonhap News
Agency reported.
During that meeting, the North
also discussed measures to bolster
“the war deterrent”. – IANS
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during an enlarged meeting ofthe Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea inPyongyang, North Korea on Saturday. Independent journalists were notgiven access. – AP/PTI
M S Iqbal nextB’desh Navy ChiefDHAKA, July 19: Rear Admiral
Mohammad Shaheen Iqbal, who did his
specialisation in anti-submarine warfare
from India, has been appointed as the
next Chief of Bangladesh Navy, the
defence ministry said.
Iqbal, who is currently serving as the
assistant navy chief, will succeed Vice
Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury, who is
retiring later this month.
Iqbal will take on his new role on
July 25 with an elevated rank of vice
admiral, the defence ministry said in a
statement on Saturday.
"He will serve as the Chief of Navy
Staff for three years till July 24,
2023," it said. Iqbal joined
Bangladesh Navy as an officer cadet
in 1980 and attended various courses
at home and abroad. – PTI
Thomas Perez
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 3
NATIONAL
Plasma therapytrials on seriousCOVID patients
encouragingBHUBANESWAR, July 19:
Plasma therapy has brought
hope among the serious COV-
ID-19 patients in Odisha as
condition of those who have
received the therapy is im-
proving.
Out of six critical patients
who are now under plasma
therapy, four are responding
very well and they are no long-
er in need of oxygen support.
They will be discharged soon,
said an official. Other two pa-
tients are in stable condition and
are expected to be out of dan-
ger soon, the official added.
A total of eight units of plas-
ma have been collected from
four donors so far. Out of those,
six have been used for four pa-
tients at SUM Covid Hospital
and two patients at Ashwini
Covid Hospital, said a state-
ment.
Last week, Chief Minister
Naveen Patnaik had inaugurat-
ed this facility at SCB Medical
College in Cuttack which acts
as the nodal agency. After the
appeal of Chief Minister, sev-
eral people have volunteered
to donate their plasma. – IANS
Actor PratikGandhi testspositive forCOVID-19
MUMBAI, July 19: Actor
Pratik Gandhi on Sunday said
he, along with actor-wife
Bhamini Oza and brother Pu-
nit, has tested positive for
COVID-19.
The actor has featured in
hit Gujarati movies such as
“Bey Yaar”, “Wrong Side
Raju”, “Love Ni Bhavai”
and has starred in Hindi
projects, including
“Mitron” and Salman Khan-
backed “Loveyatri”.
In a Twitter post Pratik said
while he and Bhamini were
quarantining at their home, his
brother has been hospitalised.
“We as a family took ‘be
positive’ way too seriously
and didn’t discriminate against
even corona. Me and my wife
are being treated at home and
my brother is hospitalised.
“We are all putting up a
strong fight against the virus.
With warmth, support and
prayers of friends and fami-
ly,” he tweeted.
In reply to a friend’s tweet,
Pratik thanked BJP leader
Kirit Somaiya for his timely
intervention and said he was
grateful for the help.
“I can’t thank you enough
@MadhaviBhuta and @Kir-
itSomaiya for your timely
support and warmth during
this testing time to family,”
the actor wrote
Somaiya said he was in
touch with the doctors who
have assured him that Punit
“will recover.” – PTI
A patient plays carom at CWG Village COVID-19 CareCentre, near Akshardham in New Delhi on Sunday. – PTI
NEW DELHI, July 19: In-
dia’s COVID-19 fatality rate
has fallen below 2.5 per cent
for the first time, marking a
significant dip and bringing the
country in the queue of nations
with the lowest fatality rates
globally.
Interestingly, 29 states and
Union Territories (UTs) have
Case Fatality Rate (CFR) low-
er than the national average,
says the latest report collated
by the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare (MoHFW).
The CFR is progressively
falling and currently it is 2.49
per cent, the MoHFW data
said.
Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim,
Mizoram along with Andaman
and Nicobar Islands have zero
per cent fatality rate while 14
states and UTs have a CFR of
less than 1 per cent.
The 14 states and UTs with
less than one per cent fatality
rate includes Ladakh (0.09),
Tripura (0.19), Assam (0.23),
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and
Daman & Diu (0.33), Kerala
(0.34), Chhattisgarh (0.46),
Arunachal Pradesh (0.46),
Meghalaya (0.48), Odisha
(0.51), Goa (0.60), Himachal
Pradesh (0.75), Bihar (0.83),
Jharkhand (0.86) and Telanga-
na (0.93).
Uttarakhand (1.22), Andhra
Pradesh (1.31), Haryana
(1.35), Tamil Nadu (1.45), Pu-
ducherry (1.48), Chandigarh
(1.71), Jammu & Kashmir
(1.79) and Rajasthan (1.94)
have fatality rates lower than
two per cent while Karnataka
(2.08) and Uttar Pradesh (2.36)
are in the bracket of 2 to 3 per
cent fatality rate.
“This shows commendable
work done by the public health
apparatus of the country,” said
the ministry, adding it hap-
pened because of focused ef-
forts of the Centre and state
and UT governments on effi-
cient clinical management of
hospitalised cases.
“With effective containment
strategy, aggressive testing
and standardised clinical man-
agement protocols based on
holistic standard of care ap-
proach, the CFR has signifi-
cantly dipped.”
The data comes when In-
dia’s total coronavirus cases on
Sunday reached 10,77,618
with a record 38,902 new cas-
es reported in the past 24
hours. With 543 new deaths,
the death toll stood at 26,816.
Karnataka is the new
hotspot state nearing 60,000
cases, as Maharashtra re-
mained the worst-hit state,
with 3,00,937 cases and 11,596
casualties. It crossed the 3-lakh
mark on Saturday with Mum-
bai reporting over 1 lakh coro-
navirus cases so far. It is fol-
lowed by Tamil Nadu with a
total 1,65,714 cases, including
2,403 deaths.
The national capital, on the
other hand is projecting an
uplifting trend. For 17 of the
last 20 days, including 11 in a
row now, the number of peo-
ple recovering from Covid in
Delhi has remained higher
than newly-detected infections
– no other state has come close
to such a trend.
Globally, over 14 million
people have been infected with
the virus and 602,656 have
died. It has taken just four days
to climb to 14 million cases
from 13 million recorded on
July 13. The WHO warned
that fresh daily tallies are
breaching all records.
Under the guidance of the
Centre, the ministry said the
state and UT governments
have ramped up testing and
hospital infrastructure by
combining public and private
sector efforts.
At the ground level, front-
line health workers like Ac-
credited Social Health Ac-
tivists (ASHAs) and Auxil-
iary Nurse Midwife (ANMs)
have done a commendable
job of managing the migrant
population and to enhance
awareness at the communi-
ty level. – IANS
India’s COVID fatality rate below2.5%, five states/UTs at zero
NEW DELHI, July 19: The
Airports Authority of India
(AAI) has decided to procure
198 body scanners for 63 air-
ports and these will replace
existing door frame metal
detectors and hand-held
scanners, besides pat-down
searches of passengers to
detect metallic objects, offi-
cials said.
The process to procure
the body scanners started
earlier this year before the
outbreak of the novel coro-
navirus, the officials from the
AAI said.
Out of these 198 scanners,
19 will be for the Chennai air-
port, 17 for the Kolkata air-
port and 12 for the Pune air-
port, they told PTI.
The AAI owns and manag-
es more than 100 airports in
the country.
Airports in Delhi, Mumbai,
Bengaluru and Hyderabad
are managed by private com-
panies and not by the AAI.
Therefore, procurement for
body scanners at these four
major airports will be done
by the private entities, the
officials said.
They said it has become
important to get these 198
scanners as soon as possi-
ble as frisking of passengers
by security personnel has
been minimised since
March due to the COVID-
19 pandemic.
Central Industrial Securi-
ty Force (CISF) personnel,
who are deputed at airports,
have been asked to maintain
the ‘minimum touch’ con-
cept and wear masks as per
COVID-19 prevention
measures. – PTI
AAI to procure 198 bodyscanners for 63 airports
NEW DELHI, July 19: Son-
ali, a transgender woman in her
early 30s, was eking out a liv-
ing by begging at traffic signals
in east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar
before the government or-
dered people indoors to con-
tain the spread of COVID-19
in late March.
After struggling for
months to make ends meet,
she had been eagerly wait-
ing for June 1, when the eas-
ing of lockdown, Unlock 1.0,
would begin.
Soon after Sonali got back
to her routine, she was con-
fronted with a new reality. Not
only was there less traffic on
roads, people were apprehen-
sive about rolling down the
windows of their cars and giv-
ing her alms.
“No one wanted to give us
money. People are not even
ready to roll down the win-
dows to hear what we have to
say,” she said.
Like Sonali, many others
from the transgender commu-
nity have been hit hard by the
pandemic.
Relegated to the sidelines
of the society, many of India’s
estimated 4.88 lakh transgen-
der people are forced to make
a living through begging, danc-
ing at celebrations like wed-
dings, and sex work, accord-
ing to rights groups.
Another transgender
woman Ritupari (name
changed), 38, who used to
dance at celebrations, said the
new normal “has no place for
people like us”.
“People are not inviting their
close relatives to weddings and
other celebrations, so why will
they call us. Even if we go
somewhere, we are looked
down upon and shooed away,”
she said.
“Most professions we prac-
tised have been completely
destroyed due to COVID-
19,” she rued.
Chandni (name changed),
42, an acute diabetic, used to
beg on trains. She has slipped
into depression after losing her
means of livelihood.
Her brother said his once-
chirpy sister has stopped talk-
ing and almost never steps out
of the house.
“She has seen a lot in her
life but the past few months
have dealt a serious blow to
her. She used to be so talka-
tive and jolly. The entire house
would light up when she would
return home. Now she just
keeps looking out a window,”
he said.
Ayesha Behra, an Odisha-
based transgender woman and
rights activist, said the mem-
bers of the community also face
a higher risk of contracting
COVID-19 due to their living
conditions.
“They mostly live in slum
areas where there is no con-
cept of social distancing.
Around 10-15 of them stay
together in one room, so so-
cial distancing is a luxury they
cannot afford,” she said.
Behra said she has been
looking for alternative means
of livelihood for transgender
people.
“We recently joined hands
with a few self-help groups and
taught some of the transgen-
der community members to
make sanitisers and phenyl. We
are also planning to train them
to make perfumes,” she said.
Another transgender activ-
ist Pushpa Mai, who is based
in Jaipur, claimed many mem-
bers of the community are fac-
ing increased domestic vio-
lence due to the loss of liveli-
hood.
“A number of families were
dependent on the earnings of
the transgender members.
Now when they are not able
to earn, there has been an in-
crease in violence against
many of them. In some cases,
the partner of the transgen-
der person fought with them,”
she said. Mai said she has been
trying to help transgender
people but more needs to be
done. – PTI
Pandemic-hit transgender community struggles to find its feet
NEW DELHI, July 19: On
the initiative of Delhi Police,
a ‘Plasma Donation Cam-
paign’ has been launched at
the All India Institute of
Medical Sciences (AIIMS),
New Delhi, on Sunday. Un-
ion Minister of Health &
Family Welfare Dr Harsh
Vardhan, was the Chief
Guest while Commissioner
of Police, SN Shrivastava, was
the Guest of Honour, on the
occasion.
“The objective of the cam-
paign is to encourage people
to come forward to donate
plasma to be used for the
treatment of COVID-19 pa-
tients,” said Additional PRO
Delhi Police Anil Mittal.
In all, 26 personnel includ-
ing a woman constable of
Delhi Police kicked off the
campaign by donating their
plasma. “More than 650 Del-
hi Police personnel are likely
to donate their plasma dur-
ing the week-long cam-
paign,” the officer said.
Dr Randeep Guleria, Di-
rector AIIMS, appreciated
the initiative of Delhi Police
and termed the donor police
personnel ‘Super Corona
Warriors’, as being affected
by the deadly virus they first
fought against it and then vol-
untarily donated their plas-
ma to save lives of others.
He appealed to people to
come forward and donate
plasma as it would help treat
critical patients.
Speaking on the occasion,
Shrivastava underlined, “deal-
ing with coronavirus has been
a unique experience as none
of us knew what to do. Police
had two major responsibilities
– to maintain law & order and
to enforce the lockdown. At
the same time, managing our
own health and motivation of
force were also a challenge.
Being visible arms of the gov-
ernment, police must ensure
implementation of govern-
Delhi Police launches plasmadonation campaign at AIIMS
ment’s directions.”
Being frontline warriors po-
lice personnel were most sus-
ceptible to exposure of the vi-
rus. As a result more than 2,500
personnel got infected and a
dozen succumbed to the virus
in the line of duty. However,
the recovery rate is more than
84 per cent as more than 2,100
personnel have recovered and
resumed duties. – IANS
Union Minister for Health Harsh Vardhan along with Delhi Police Commissioner SNShrivastava gives a certificate to a policeman as he donates plasma during Plasma DonationCampaign organised by Delhi Police, at AIIMS in New Delhi on Sunday. – PTI
Highest singleday jump of
5,041 COVIDcases in AndhraAMARAVATI, July 19:
Andhra Pradesh’s Covid-19
tally skyrocketed on Sunday
with 5,041 new cases detect-
ed in the 24 hours ending 9
am, state health officials said.
This is the highest ever
single-day tally and comes on
the back of successive
records set over the preced-
ing four days. The day also
saw a record 56 deaths due
to coronavirus in the state.
Sunday’s update takes the
overall tally of cases in the state
to 49,650. Yet again, all the thir-
teen districts reported Covid
cases in triple figures. East
Godavari reported the highest
tally of 647 positive cases, while
Anantapur followed with 637
cases. Srikakulam with 535 cas-
es and Chittoor with 440 cases
were the other districts that re-
ported high numbers.
Other districts that report-
ed high cases over the previ-
ous 24 hours include Krishna
with 397, West Godavari with
393 cases, Nellore with 391
cases, Guntur with 354 cases
and Visakhapatnam with 266
cases. – IANS
4 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020
MESSAGE FOR TODAY
The mind is everything. What you think you
become.
– BUDDHA
Livelihood questionsThere needs to be a logic to every crucial decision made
by the administration, particularly during a crisis such as the
Covid-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the decisions on lock-
downs made by the Kamrup Metro administration seemmore of a knee-jerk reaction to the abnormal increase in the
number of coronavirus infections rather than a response toany strategy modulated by informed medical scientists’ opin-
ions. This district has been more or less under lockdownsince the 25th of March, with a brief relaxation in-between
before lockdown reimposition for two more weeks. Though
some relaxations, in line with the national policy, had beenmade last month, overall restrictions had remained in place
almost throughout, in particular the imposition of night cur-few. Yet, despite this, the number of cases of coronavirus
infections has continued to spike, and the administration’sexpected response had been to extend the lockdown peri-
od for another week till July 19. But the situation in Guwahatiis becoming grimmer, with the city registering more than
500 Covid-19 positive cases for three consecutive days,
and 25 fatalities. Meanwhile, not only has normal life beendisrupted, but livelihoods in all strata of society have been
negatively impacted upon. The most tragic victims had beenunskilled daily wage-earners who depend solely on work
demanding physical exertion and, in the backdrop of shut-down of manufacture and transportation, have gone months
without work.
Equally sad has been the plight of vendors of perishable
consumption items like vegetables, fish and meat, as also
sellers of street-food and other items. These are the seg-
ments of urban society who live a hand to mouth existence
and do not possess nest-eggs on which to fall back upon
during hard times. No doubt the administration is attempt-
ing to help them by providing cash as well as basic food
requirements, but feedback suggests that such assistance
is not always reaching the most vulnerable. Prolonged shut-
down has badly impacted small businesses and there is gen-
uine fear that many of these, saddled as they are with bank
loans, may not be able to withstand further disruption to
normal commercial activities. Another problem associated
with prolonged lockdowns had been the plight of non-coro-
navirus patients since private hospitals were refusing to
admit them unless they were tested at a government-run
facility for Covid-19. With the administration mandating pri-
vate hospitals to open up coronavirus testing units, this prob-
lem has been to some extent, though not fully, mitigated.
The incomes of professionals, from plumbers, electricians,
barbers to even lawyers and some practitioners of medicine
like optometrists and dentists, have been severely curtailed,
causing them hardship. The irony is that prolonged lock-
downs have not stemmed the spread of the virus nor have
contributed to furthering herd immunity, something that the
administration needs to keep in mind if they are contem-
plating more future lockdowns!
Stop the mayhemThe State Government has done well to institute a judicial
inquiry into the large-scale illegal coal mining in the Dehing
Patkai range which constitutes the Dehing Patkai Elephant
Reserve and the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary – the
State’s last vestiges of rainforests. Although the illegalities
including rampant rat-hole coal mining as well as the more
destructive opencast mining had been going on for years, it
took a series of investigative news reports by The Assam
Tribune to compel the Government into some action at long
last. The Forest Department had all along been denying
these shocking illegalities perpetrated on this biodiversity
treasure trove and more disturbingly, a section from the
conservation fraternity, too, had been seeking to trivialize
the grave issue. It is now abundantly clear that widespread
illegal coal mining has been ravaging these precious forests
and wildlife habitats with the various government authori-
ties, especially the Forest Department and the police choos-
ing to look the other way. The developments become all the
more shocking when one takes into account the fact that a
Navaratna PSU like Coal India had also been found guilty of
doing illegally mining in several forests for years. One ex-
pects that the judicial probe will go into the roots of the
murky developments and fix responsibility on the guilty.
Apparently, such illegalities cannot continue for such a long
time without bureaucratic and political patronage and hence
the need to probe it beyond the involvement of local-level
forest officials. Not just illegal coal mining, rampant deforest-
ation across the entire range caused by illegal logging and
encroachment, especially in the elephant reserve, remains
another unaddressed concern.
Given the urgent need to save our only remaining stretch
of rainforests, both the State Government and the Centre
need to have a rethink on its policy of opencast mining in
prime wildlife habitats such as Dehing Patkai. The logic that
the British had done coal mining in the area for decades
before it was entrusted to Coal India in 1973 cuts little ice.
This is because the British did underground mining only,
leaving the forests intact. And during the British days, con-
servation was far from a concern in view of our abundant
forests and thriving wildlife. Still the British cared for for-
ests and wildlife which is borne out by the legislations enact-
ed by them well over a hundred years back. The changing
situation today vis-a-vis rapid depletion of natural forests
warrants us to save these invaluable natural assets for our
own sake. The rainforest ecosystem is responsible for pro-
viding us oxygen in great quantity besides releasing abun-
dant water vapour, creating its own weather in the process.
To destroy those for the sake of extracting coal worth a few
thousand crores of rupees is ridiculous to say the least. The
Government must expand the area of the wildlife sanctuary
by a large margin and also free the remaining rainforests
from coal mining at the earliest.
ssam is passing through
a critical period of eco-
nomic destabilization,
the impact of which can
be observed in every sphere of the
economy. This actually is the com-
bined effect of the sharply rising
prices and the resultant increase in
inflation (7.39% as in November
2019), growing unemployment and
falling labour force participation
rates, increase in the magnitude of
revenue expenditure and, finally, the
ban imposed on all economic activ-
ities to restrain the aggressive
march of Covid-19. A critical analy-
sis of our spending behaviour will
expose that generally, no principle
is followed in allocation of resourc-
es amongst various sectors of the
economy which impacts adversely
in the spending pattern. An econo-
my with no direction of its spend-
ing cannot survive during the criti-
cal period. We spend much of our
earnings for unproductive purpos-
es and it is growing year by year.
These expenditures are elastic; the
more we spend, the more we be-
come prone to expand the spend-
ing limits. The expenditure on rev-
enue accounts is indicative of such
expenditure. Of our total budget-
ary allocation, the amount spent on
revenue account varies between
82% and 89% leaving only a mea-
gre percentage for incurring in cre-
ation of assets. In absence of any
planning strategy for economic de-
velopment, today we are forced to
rely on the annual budget as our
annual plan. It is here that we need
a strong team of experts to identify
the areas exactly where govern-
ment intervention is necessary, so
A
A government perhaps neither
can exhaust its resources in
the name of a virus which
requires no application of drugs
for recovery of its patients nor
can it shut down every time any
business house for each
positive case reported – people
should be made educated and
responsible for management of
the disease.
Lettersto the
EDITOR
Flood ravages
Sir, – As the coronavirus
continues to make headlines in the
State with an alarming number of
cases being reported every day,
there is also another serious issue
that needs attention – the monsoon
floods that occur every year in
Assam. It is an issue that needs no
introduction, as we the people of
Assam are familiar with this
problem since ages. In fact, every
year Assam suffers from heavy
losses both economic as well as
humanitarian due to the unprece-
dented floods that occur in the
Brahmaputra Valley. This year too
is no exception. The Assam floods
have an infamous reputation as over
the years many people have lost
their lives, followed by the loss of
properties and resources of
livelihoods. Thousands have been
rendered homeless. Now the
concern is that, with the coronavi-
rus on the one hand and the floods
on the other, how will the masses,
especially those who are residing in
the flooded areas, be able to cope up
with the situation, when shifting or
that investment is prioritized and
becomes outcome-oriented.
Employment generation is the
second area where we are failing.
While planning our expenditure, it
should have been our effort to make
long-term goals to be achieved in the
employment front. The State Finance
Minister has recently noted the mag-
nitude of unemployment at 20 lakhs.
In our agenda, however, we have no
such specific component
that devotes completely in
this area. We do not have
any long-term plan for em-
ployment generation. For
this, we are so far relying
on the Government of In-
dia’s employment genera-
tion schemes and missions.
A State must aim at creat-
ing a skilled manpower re-
serve and make room for
their gradual absorption in
a strategic manner. So far,
our effort on the employ-
ment front is confined only
to filling up regular vacan-
cies in the government pay
rolls, without assessing the
priority aspect of their re-
quirement. We all know that public
employment is always limited and it
cannot solve the growing unemploy-
ment problem. For this we need to
intervene in the areas of the house-
hold manufacturing sector setting
plans for both short and long terms.
Strategies need to be in place to back
up the central schemes such as
MGNREGA, etc., by customizing
the scheme and integrating therein
the State’s role so as to achieve a far
better result both quantitatively (add-
ing numbers to the fixed targets) and
qualitatively (adding skills to the po-
tentially viable ones).
The service sector has a profound
impact on the growth of the State
economy. This sector contributes as
much as 46% (2018) at current pric-
es to the State’s Gross Domestic
Product. But in absence of industrial
growth, the service sector expan-
sion in an economy is not always a
good sign, especially when the con-
tribution comes from the unorgan-
ized sector. Economic activities in our
service sector are grossly related to
the fast growing informal sector
which is vulnerable as there is no
social or service security for the
employees. Most of them are either
self-employed or casually employed
who do not have any secured serv-
ice tenure and they continue their
services at the mercy of the employ-
er. This makes the sector vulnera-
ble and undependable. This is the
reason why during the lockdown, the
service sector emerged as the worst
affected sector.
Recently, it has been reported in
the media that as much as 4.2 lakhs
of migrant labourers have come back
to the State. Some of them have
claimed to be skilled labourers and
are demanding engagements. They
have come back to the State at a time
when unlocking was in progress and
in many States business activities
were picking up. They are now sit-
ting idle at home adding to the
strength of the State’s unemployed
labour force. There are assurances
from the Government
that all of them will be
provided job cards under
MGNREGA. But that has
not yet happened. More-
over, many of these mi-
grant labourers have al-
ready left for their places
of work while many are
in two minds whether to
go back to work or stay
here. Few of them have
already engaged in vari-
ous self-employment
schemes. With this situa-
tion, till now no clear pic-
ture has emerged. But the
fact remains that a huge
labour force comprising
these migrant labourers
exists today in the State giving rise
to the existing market demands but
without adding anything to the pro-
duction process.
The awards of the Finance Com-
mission have significant bearing in
the economic development of the
State. The fact that the 15th Finance
Commission is still not ready to an-
nounce its second part of recommen-
dations (2021-2024) has tremendous
impact on the State’s future planning.
Moreover, due to the late announce-
ment of the first year’s award, budg-
etary provision could not be made in
the current year. This is one reason
why the current slowdown is expect-
ed to remain in the State for some
considerably longer time. The
amount recommended by the 15th
FC for 2020-21 in terms of devolu-
tion of central taxes (Rs 26,776 crore)
and revenue deficit grant to the tune
of Rs 7,579 crores needs to be care-
fully handled as soon as it is released
and budgeted. With the Assembly
election round the corner, the Gov-
ernment should commit to its re-
sponsibility and not spend the amount
on the floating schemes which have
no sustainable impact on the econo-
my, rather would drive the economy
like a rudderless boat.
From what have been discussed
above, it can now be inferred well
that the State is not in a position to
tide over the deficit situation re-
sulting from various factors includ-
ing the emergence of Covid-19. To
reach the correction path, we need
time, resources and the aptitude for
planning to fix a roadmap. Unfortu-
nately, we neither have resources
nor have time as the election is
round the corner. Covid-19 has al-
ready eaten up a major part of our
time and resources. A strategy
must be there where we know ex-
actly where government interven-
tion in the Covid-19 process is a
must and where people need to
take care of themselves. A govern-
ment perhaps neither can exhaust
its resources in the name of a virus
which requires no application of
drugs for recovery of its patients
nor can it shut down every time
any business house for each posi-
tive case reported – people should
be made educated and responsible
for management of the disease.
Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2020nvironment impact assess-
ment (EIA) is an important
tool in the hands of the Gov-
ernment for minimizing or
mitigating the adverse socio-environ-
mental impact of any upcoming
projects. The purpose of the assess-
ment is to ensure that the decision-
makers consider the environmental
impacts when deciding whether or
not to proceed with a project. EIA,
thus, is defined as ‘the process of iden-
tifying, predicting, evaluating and
mitigating the biophysical, social and
other relevant effects of develop-
ment proposals prior to major deci-
sions being taken and commitment
made’. It recommends appropriate
legislative measures, programmes,
operational procedures to minimize
the adverse impacts. It is basically a
decision-making tool to decide
whether the project should be ap-
proved or not.
EIA was made mandatory by the
Union Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoE-
FCC) by promulgating an EIA noti-
fication on January 27, 1994 under
the Environment (Protection) Act,
1986 making environmental clear-
ance (EC) mandatory for expansion
or modernization of any activity or
for setting up new projects. The
Ministry grants environmental
clearance to various projects with
n Dr Kulen Chandra Das, Bubul Sarma
the help of two important commit-
tees, namely, the Expert Appraisal
Committee (EAC) at the Centre
and the State-level State Environ-
ment Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
It is to be noted that before obtain-
ing the much-needed environmen-
tal clearance, a project has to un-
dergo a few rigorous steps like
scoping, preparation of draft EIA,
public consultation and preparation
of final EIA. The 1994 notification
was later on replaced by a new one
in 2006 which put the onus of clear-
ing projects on the State govern-
ment depending on the size/capac-
ity of the project.
The MoEFCC has recently issued
a draft notification, i.e., EIA Notifica-
tion 2020, and placed it in public do-
main for comments, objections and
suggestions of the general public. The
draft notification has brought signifi-
cant changes which are in contradic-
tion to its parent legislation, i.e., the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The draft, if approved, has the po-
tentiality to impact adversely and
make irreparable ecological damage
to Assam’s rich biodiversity resourc-
es. Panthataru Sangrakshani Asom
did a rigorous evaluation of the draft,
which is called for changes in the con-
text especially of Assam, at a time
when the people of the State are con-
fronting environmental crises such
as the Baghjan gas leak followed by
the unprecedented fire and illegal coal
mining at Dehing Patkai.
There are several points of ob-
jections in various pages of the
draft. Firstly, one of the major draw-
backs in preparing an EIA report,
so far, is that the onus of preparing
the EIA falls on the project propo-
nent (PP). In that case, a negative
report is always unlikely. There-
fore, it is suggested that the reput-
ed academic/research institutes
such as IITs be given the responsi-
bility of conducting EIA. Further, it
is also submitted that the provision
of preparing the EIA should not be
an onus on the PP. Rather, EIA and
related studies should be the re-
sponsibility of the Central or State
governments and detached from
the PP. Secondly, it is observed that
the provision of B2 categories of
projects invalidates the process of
scoping, EIA and public consulta-
tion. It is not at all acceptable since
a lot of projects, which are known
to produce significant amounts of
pollution, have been placed under
this category. Thirdly, it is observed
that the new draft has a provision
of awarding post facto clearance to
various projects. Through this pro-
vision the Ministry seeks to legiti-
mize the illegal projects running
without prior environmental clear-
ance. This provision of post facto
clearance is absolutely anti-ecolog-
ical and contradicts the very prin-
ciple of sustainability. Fourthly,
while taking cognizance of viola-
tions and non-compliances by
project proponents (PP), the draft
is recognizing information provid-
ed only by PP, a government au-
thority, besides getting detected by
Appraisal Committee and regula-
tory authority.
As provided in the Constitution of
India, every citizen has a duty to
maintain and improve his/her envi-
ronment. Therefore, information
provided by and complaints about the
violation and non-compliance lodged
by any Indian citizen should be taken
cognizance of. The rule proposed in
the draft goes against the spirit of
the fundamental duty of citizens as
enshrined in the Constitution. An-
other important reservation is re-
garding the views and responses to
be submitted by the public. The new
draft notification seeks to reduce the
time period of submission of obser-
vation, complaints, etc., from 30 to
20 days. It implies, thus, that ade-
quate time has not been provided to
the people who would be affected
primarily by the commissioning of
the project. Moreover, the draft also
nullifies the necessity of any EIA,
public hearing and scrutiny by the
expert committee in case of a project
covering a land area up to 1,50,000
square metres instead of 20,000
square metres as per the 2006 noti-
fication. Without the EIA and public
hearing, the project decision is tanta-
mount to a blatant resource grabbing.
Besides, we place our serious reser-
vation to the definition of the study
area, provision of collection of base-
line data to be collected during the
process of preparing the EIA. It is
worth mentioning here that the new
draft necessitates the PP to submit
compliance reports once in a year
stating that they are adhering to the
terms and conditions on which the
permission was granted for the com-
missioning of the project which was
twice a year in the earlier notifica-
tion of 2006.
Economic growth cannot happen
at the cost of the welfare of the peo-
ple. But, the notification seems to
compromise with the general peo-
ple’s obtaining clean air, clean water
and many more environmental re-
sources. At a time when the global
community is desperately confront-
ing the climate emergency and vari-
ous climate-related disasters, EIA is
crucial for fighting against such ad-
verse impacts. Upon reviewing, how-
ever, the EIA Notification, 2020
seems obviously to weaken the fight
against climate change. The notifica-
tion, thus, once approved, shall re-
place the earlier notification of 2006
along with its various amendments
and would tantamount to fundamen-
tal changes in the environmental reg-
ulation of our country.
E
migrating to other places within the
State is risky due to the pandemic
situation prevailing all around the
State? This time, the battle is going
to be tougher than ever before.
Yours etc., DIBYOJYOTI
BRAHMA, Cotton University.
Pregnant poor womenSir, – The plight of the reverse
migrants returning to their home
States in the wake of the ongoing
pandemic has deservedly received
due attention. These migrants have
thus received aids from innumera-
ble quarters. Such humanitarian
acts, also the good Samaritans and
the State governments, deserve to
be applauded. In the wake of the
huge attention this human tragedy
has received, one section of society,
which also needs immediate help
and care, has unfortunately been left
to suffer in silence. I am referring to
the pregnant women from the
extremely poor sections of the
society. In the absence of even one
filling meal a day for the expectant
mothers, forget about a nutritious
one, these unfortunate women have
been fighting a grim battle for
survival. The Government has to
work for the welfare of these
unfortunate citizens. They too
deserve our attention and support.
Yours etc., BARUN BARPUJARI,
Six Mile, Guwahati.
Underwater tunnelSir, – This is in response to the
letter of Dr Hiren Gohain on the
proposed river tunnel project
below the Brahmaputra (AT, July
17). I beg to differ with Dr Gohain
on the following points. He has
stated that the project is undertaken
because of technological arrogance
of the Government. Such a long
underwater project calls for
adoption of sophisticated ultramod-
ern technology. It is not called
technological arrogance. He has
cited the example of the Baghjan oil
well blowout as a case of technologi-
cal arrogance. Oil well blowout is
inadvertently associated with oil
drilling anywhere in the world. It
happened in Bombay High, in North
Sea, in Russia, in the USA, in the
Gulf and at Rudrasagar in Assam in
the 1960s also. As because this risk
is there, people will never refrain
from oil exploration.
Dr Gohain has stated that in the
long construction phase of the
proposed tunnel, the riverbed will
be disturbed and the Brahmaputra
river will become muddy. I have
travelled through such tunnels
elsewhere in the world. These go a
minimum of 100 feet below the
riverbed and there is no scope for
such apprehensions. His fear that
the long raised approach, to prevent
the tunnel from being flooded, will
jeopardize the life of the indigenous
people to an immeasurable extent
is unfounded, because there would
be no such very long raised
embankment kind of thing. Modern
technology will take care of that.
It will be better that the authority
concerned comes up with a public
awareness campaign to let the
people know what is going to
happen and where. The State
Government should take the
initiative. The detailed designs and
drawings should not be in public
domain for security reasons.
This is a big project and instead
of taking a caustic stand, we should
come forward to be associated with
its implementation. Remaining
away and bitter will only make us
redundant. Yours etc., SANJIB
SABHAPANDIT, Mother Teresa
Road, Guwahati.
Articles (within 1000-1100 words) and
Letters to the Editor for publication in
the editorial page may be sent to the
email ID: [email protected].
The ailing economy of Assam
Tap water supplySir, – Your editorial dated July 12,
2020 is very much appreciated and
timely, hinting at the possible water
crisis in the days to come in
Guwahati city. It is not known why
the Government of Assam has not
accorded top priority for supply of
safe potable piped water to the
citizens of Guwahati, the gateway to
the Northeast. Sufficient funds were
allocated to the water supply
project, which started during 2007-
2008 and was supposed to be
completed by 2011. It was extended
till 2011 and further to 2013, 2015
and finally 2016. Later, we came to
know that the 24x7 water supply
project will be commissioned by
2020. It is estimated that 70%
people are suffering from stomach-
related diseases due to consumption
of unhygienic water. The State
Government should place the
completion of the water supply
project in its top priority list. Yours
etc., Dr AJOY KUMAR CHAKRA-
BARTY, Rukminigaon, Guwahati.
n Udayan Hazarika
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 5
CITY
LOCAL FORECAST:
Generally cloudy skywith heavy rain.Maximum and minimumtemperatures are mostlikely to be 30°C & 24°Crespectively on Monday.
TEMPERATURE:
Max 29.6°C
Min 26.0°C
WEATHER
GUWAHATISTAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19: The
guidelines issued by the State
Government to unlock Kam-
rup (Metro) have attracted
mixed reactions, largely tilt-
ed towards those who found
the guidelines ambiguous and
lacking clarity. In the wake of
such confusion, many traders
may continue to down their
shutters on Monday.
Not satisfied with the un-
lock order issued by the Chief
Secretary, netizens took to
social media questioning sev-
eral guidelines. While some
questioned how the govern-
ment was planning to enforce
the restrictions on private
vehicles, the business com-
munity did not approve of the
idea of COVID testing made
mandatory for shopkeepers
and their employees.
Several guidelines did not
go down well with the who’s
who of the automobile indus-
try, who said that there were
confusions galore and the
government must issue a
modified order. “We still do
not know whether automo-
bile dealers or showrooms
would be treated as shops or
offices in view of the one-
side-of the-road norm. The
buying process may be sev-
erally affected if the show-
rooms are treated as shops,
since the process of buying
is continuous in nature and
needs some time. There also
prevails ambiguity about
whether or not customers
can visit the showrooms. If
the unlock is intended to re-
vive the industry, then such
an unclear order does not
help,” a Guwahati-based au-
tomobile dealer told The As-
sam Tribune. He said that
under such confusion, many
showrooms may not open.
“We want the government to
come up with a clearer and
modified order,” he said.
Supreme Court lawyer
Kaushik Choudhury said,
“Public safety will be at a high-
er risk and it will be extreme-
ly dangerous if private vehi-
cle are restricted while allow-
ing Ola and Uber. Public will
behave more responsibly if
private vehicles are allowed.
Use of cabs instead of private
vehicles will take social dis-
tancing for a toss and only in-
crease the transmission.”
Trader Abhishek Agarwal
said the compulsory testing
policy of the government is
logic-defying. “COVID-19
test report takes at least 5-7
days and if that is the case,
then a trader would have to
remain indoors during those
days making the unlock irrel-
evant. In case of construction
sites, how are we supposed
to bring labourers from out-
side Guwahati if there is a ban
on movement of private ve-
hicles?” he asked.
Two other traders, Amit Ja-
lan and Mintu Prasad, said that
making COVID-19 test com-
pulsory for traders hardly
serves the purpose of unlock-
ing. Prasad expressed reser-
vation on the safety of COVID
centres and vouched for door-
to-door testing, while Jalan
said it was high time that the
government adopts the Del-
hi-model which seems to be
working not just for traders
but the public as well.
Jalan said the guideline ask-
ing traders to test them-
selves was “baffling” since a
person can get positive at any
time even after testing neg-
ative on the first occasion. “Is
anybody going to keep a tab
on that? We are not against
testing but that has to be
done in an organised manner
and not in haste,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a decision tak-
en on Sunday evening, the
government modified its or-
der, saying shop owners or
their employees need not car-
ry a COVID-19 negative sta-
tus report. The Health depart-
ment will conduct random tests
in a phased manner, it said.
Unlock guidelines‘ambiguous’, say citizens
Food being distributed among roadside dwellers during the lockdown at Bhangagarh inGuwahati on Sunday. – UB Photos
Kamrup (M) admin holdsmeeting on opening of shops
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19: Re-
garding opening of shops and
business establishments in
the city from Monday, the
Kamrup (Metro) district ad-
ministration on Sunday de-
clared that Paltan Bazar will
be the nodal point from
where right and left sides of
the road will be finalised.
The decision was finalised
at a meeting convened by
Deputy Commissioner
Biswajit Pegu with various
trade organisations.
The meeting decided that
on Monday, shops located on
the right side will be al-
lowed to open from Paltan
Bazar towards Khanapara,
Jalukbari to Noonmati,
Jalukbari to VIP Road, Six
Mile to Narengi and Six Mile
to Panjabari. Next week, the
reverse system of opening
of shops will be followed.
Meanwhile, in the remain-
ing areas of small lanes and
byelanes, the local trade
bodies will finalise the right
or left side as per the gov-
ernment order.
In the meeting, the dis-
trict administration clarified
that shops and business es-
tablishments only on one
side of the road will be al-
lowed to open on any given
day and failure to comply
with the orders will invite
action, including cancellation
of licenses.
The Deputy Commission-
er requested all traders to
get themselves tested along
with their employees, deliv-
ery persons, etc., for COV-
ID-19 before opening their
business entities.
Electricity workers on their way to attend to an emergency call during the lockdown inGuwahati on Sunday. – UB Photos
PRANJAL BHUYAN
GUWAHATI, July 19: As
part of the effort to ensure
supply of essentials to
citizens during the pandem-
ic period, the Food Corpo-
ration of India (FCI) has
inducted 12.47 lakh metric
tonnes (MT) of food grains
across its various locations
in the North-Eastern
region during the April-
June quarter of this year.
“Different districts in
Assam have been under
various degrees of lock-
down regimes due to
burgeoning COVID-19
cases. As on July 15, a
record 3.80 lakh MT of food
grains were stocked in FCI
depots across Assam with
capacity utilisation of
around 95 per cent. Our
godowns in Assam have
been adequately filled up.
This has greatly bolstered
our capability to meet any
emergent public distribu-
tion system (PDS) require-
ment in the State,” said a
senior official of the public
sector corporation’s North-
East zonal office.
He said DV Prasad,
chairman and managing
director of FCI, is personal-
ly monitoring the entire
exercise from New Delhi.
Also, the induction and
stock building are being
monitored by the executive
director (North-East) and
other senior officers of the
FCI North-East zone at the
local level.
“Around 5.75 lakh MT of
food grains were available
in the various depots of FCI
in the North-East zone as
on July 15, with capacity
utilisation of around 93 per
cent. As such, there are
sufficient food grains to
meet the month-wise
requirements of the North-
Eastern states under
Pradhan Mantri Garib
Kalyan Anna Yojana
(PMGKAY), along with the
National Food Security Act
(NFSA) and other welfare
schemes like Mid Day
Meal. Further, a system of
dynamic planning of rakes is
in place so that stocks can
be inducted as per require-
ment,” the official said.
He added that the FCI is
undertaking operations in
close coordination with the
Indian Railways, besides
agencies like Central
Warehousing Corporation
(CWC), various state
warehousing corporations
in this region and other
stakeholders.
Sources said 100 per cent
lifting of food grains was
registered by the North-
Eastern states under the
PMGKAY during the April-
June period. A total of 5.23
lakh MT was lifted in total
by the states in this region
under the scheme.
For the July-November
period, over 8.79 lakh MT
of foodgrains have been
allotted for the North-
Eastern states under
PMGKAY. The scheme,
under which additional free-
of-cost food grains at the
scale of 5 kg per person per
month are provided to
beneficiaries covered under
NFSA, has recently been
extended by another five
months.
FCI ensures ‘uninterrupted’supply of food grains across NE
ICSI’s NE chapterhosts webinar onsecretarial audit
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19:
The North Eastern Chapter,
Guwahati, of Eastern India
Regional Council (EIRC) of
the Institute of Company
Secretaries of India (ICSI)
conducted the fourth webi-
nar on the topic ‘secretarial
audit’ for its members on
Thursday.
The all-India president of
the institute, Ashish Garg at-
tended the webinar as the
chief guest. He apprised the
participants about the special
initiatives to be taken by ICSI
for the North East. He said
that the ICSI was commit-
ted to the development of the
student community of the re-
gion and mentioned the fee
waiver scheme for the stu-
dents. He also initiated a
mega career awareness pro-
gramme in the North East.
“The ICSI is working on
opening new centres in Aru-
nachal Pradesh and Naga-
land,” he added.
Ranjeet Pandey, immedi-
ate past president of ICSI, in
his address as an esteemed
speaker deliberated on a de-
tailed and valuable presenta-
tion on secretarial audit.
Deepak Kumar Khaitan,
member of the Central Coun-
cil of ICSI in his address as the
keynote speaker, apprised the
participants about the impor-
tance of secretarial audit for
company secretaries.
Over 70 members attend-
ed the webinar.
The webinar was inaugu-
rated by Bishal Harlalka,
chairman of the North East-
ern Chapter of EIRC of ICSI.
CORRESPONDENT
JALUKBARI, July 19: The
Zoological Society of Assam
(ZSA) unit of DK College and
IQAC of DK College, Mirza
organised a national webinar
in collaboration with ZSA,
Guwahati, on Saturday on the
topic “Grassland Ecosystem
– its significance, conservation
and management”.
More than 325 participants
from different parts of India,
Malaysia and the Philippines
took part in the webinar. Dr
Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar, emi-
nent scientist of NGO Aaran-
yak, who was the main speak-
er, stressed the need for con-
servation of grasslands, which
is the habitat for a variety of
indigenous species like the
one-horned rhino, pigmy hog,
hispid hare, Bengal florican,
water buffalo, etc.
He said that at present,
large scale shrinkage of grass-
land due to human settlement,
agriculture, livestock grazing,
unsystematic fire, etc., has
become a great cause of con-
cern for ecologists, and all-
round efforts are needed from
the government to make con-
servation a people’s move-
ment to save the degraded
grasslands.
Lahkar had won the IUCN
World Heritage Hero Award
in 2016, becoming the first
Asian to get this honour for
his contribution towards con-
servation of the Manas World
Heritage Site. He is a mem-
ber of the IUCN SSC Asian
Elephant Specialist Group,
and an expert member under
the Union Ministry of Envi-
ronment, Forest and Climate
Change.
Dr Deepalee Das, associate
professor and head of the Dept
of Zoology at DK College, was
the coordinator of the webi-
nar, which was earlier inaugu-
rated by principal Dr Nabajyoti
Das. ZSA president Priyabra-
ta Lahkar was the chief guest,
while ZSA general secretary
Prof Jogen Chandra Kalita
spoke a few words on ZSA.
Dr Arunabh Chakraborty, as-
sistant professor of civil engi-
neering at Tezpur University,
was also present.
Webinar on conservationof grassland ecosystem
CORRESPONDENT
JORABAT, July 19: Lions
Club-Anmol and Lions Club-
Guwahati Care in a joint pro-
gramme on Sunday distrib-
uted masks, sanitizers and
other essential items to vil-
Lions Club distributes masks,sanitizers among Khetri villagers
lagers to fight the deadly
coronavirus.
The items were distribut-
ed at a programme for the
people of Robingaon village
in Khetri. Later in another
programme, some items
were given to officials of
Kamarkuchi Gaon Panchayat
to distribute them among the
people. Project director
Ganesh Sarma and coordina-
tor Pankaj Poddar expressed
belief that the items will help
the people keep themselves
safe from the virus.
GNRC sets uptwo COVIDcare units
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19:
GNRC, a super speciality hos-
pital in the North-East, has
come forward with two dedi-
cated COVID care units for the
people of the region.
"Currently, there are almost
23,000 COVID-19 cases in
Assam and it is expected that
the number might increase in
the days to come. In such a
scenario, it is expected that the
private healthcare facilities
should join hands with the state
government to manage this
pandemic. Private healthcare
institutions of the region need
to rise to the occasion to miti-
gate this devastation caused by
the Coronavirus. Dr Nomal
Chandra Borah, the founder of
Affordable Health Mission and
GNRC, had already announced
on social media on March 25
offering 500 beds to the state
government if the need aris-
es," a GNRC statement said.
GNRC has made operation-
al two COVID units at its Dis-
pur and North Guwahati units.
GNRC-Good Health Clin-
ic (which is based near the
GNRC Dispur and Sixmile
units) has been converted
into fully functional indoor fa-
cilities along with ICU unit
for COVID patients.
An entire block of GNRC
Medical-North Guwahati has
been converted into a COV-
ID care facility. However, the
rest of the hospital premises
of GNRC-North Guwahati
will remain open for the pub-
lic to avail treatment with
non-COVID ailments at af-
fordable rates.
Similarly, the GNRC-Dis-
pur and Sixmile units shall
continue to serve patients
suffering from non-COVID
related ailments.
GuwahatiChapter of PR
Council launchedSTAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19: The
Guwahati Chapter of Public
Relations Council of India
(PRCI), the 38th national
chapter of PRCI, was inau-
gurated through a webinar on
Wednesday. Public relations
(PR) practitioners from
across India and abroad par-
ticipated in the event.
Launching the Guwahati
Chapter, MB Jayaram, chief
mentor and chairman emer-
itus of PRCI, conveyed his
best wishes to all members
of the new chapter and urged
them to take up programmes
for the benefit of the PR in-
dustry as well as for the peo-
ple they serve.
He announced that an all
India directory of PR func-
tionaries would be brought
out soon in which PR practi-
tioners of the North East
would also be included.
Anjuli Chittaranjan, state
head, corporate communica-
tions Assam & North East at
Reliance Jio Infocomm Lim-
ited, who was the chief guest,
spoke about the changing
needs of PR in the emerging
scenario.
LR Sailo, Director, Indian
Institute of Mass Communi-
cation NE Campus, Aizawl,
Mizoram, who was the guest
of honour, expressed hope that
PRCI would play a pivotal role
in promotion of PR in the NE.
Besides the 38 chapters in
India, PRCI has its branches
also in Australia, Bangladesh,
Nepal, Sri Lanka, UAE, UK
and USA.
OBITUARY
Pradip Baruah
GUWAHATI, July 19:
Pradip Baruah, a resident of
Nandan Nagar, Sarumotoria,
Dispur passed away at the 151
Base Hospital, Basistha here
on July 18 at the age of 72 years
after prolonged illness.
Born to former Asam Sa-
hitya Sabha president Atul
Chandra Barua and Hiran
Prabha Barua, he retired as
Assistant Commissioner of
Sales Tax in 2010.
After his retirement he
wrote two books comprising
humorous short stories –
Hao Mor Ailaposu and
Gantepra, Gubin Kharg.
He leaves behind his wife,
two sons, two daughters-in-
law and two granddaughters.
The cremation will take
place at the Navagraha cre-
matorium on Monday.
Virtual teaconclave fromSeptember 1
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19: The
Confederation of Indian Indus-
try (CII) will organise a virtual
tea conclave from September
1 to November 30. The first-
of-its-kind tea conclave will
have digital conferences, ex-
hibition of different varieties
of tea and products related to
the tea industry and will have
buyer-seller meets spread
over 90 days. The CII had in
the past organised eight tea
conclaves – five in Siliguri and
two in Guwahati.
“Because of COVID-19
pandemic, this tea conclave
will be a virtual one and have
virtual stalls similar to regu-
lar exhibitions. Producers
and manufacturers will be
able to display their products
in the stalls. Buyers and tea
connoisseurs can visit the
stalls. During this pandemic,
this exclusive virtual plat-
form for tea will open up the
horizon of business linkages,
both nationally and interna-
tionally,” a press release said.
The conclave will be at-
tended by central and state
government policy makers,
Tea Board officials, tea grow-
ers, tea buyers and traders,
tea packagers, tea brokers,
tea wholesalers, tea retailers
and tea cafes, tea machinery
manufacturers, tea imple-
ments manufacturers, any
products related to tea, tea
research organisations, tea
auction organisers, educa-
tional institutes, tea associa-
tions, tea customers and the
general public, banks and fi-
nancial institutions, etc.
AJYCP slamsState govt over
flood reliefSTAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, July 19: The
Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chat-
ra Parishad on Sunday
slammed the State Govern-
ment for its failure in provid-
ing relief to all the flood-af-
fected people in a proper
manner. The organisation
also demanded adequate
funds to Assam in such a sit-
uation.
Meanwhile, Assam State
Disaster Management Au-
thority (ASDMA)’s report
stated that altogether 26 dis-
tricts are reeling under flood-
waters, affecting 27,63,719
people in 2,678 villages un-
der 79 revenue circles.
Although the flood situa-
tion has slightly improved, it
may deteriorate again as the
meteorological department
has predicted heavy rainfall
in some parts of the State in
the next few days.
MONDAY, JULY 20, 20206 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI NATIONAL
PRESS NOTICE INVITING E-TENDERNo. E-TEN-1/2020-21/864
The Director of Soil Conservation, Assam invites bids
from reputed Govt./NHAI registered eligible bidders for
the following projects
“Green Highways Projects for (Km 275 to Km 285.000
of AS-16 (Stretch ID-30 PIU-Haflong, NH-54 (New NH-
27), Km 285.000 to km 295.000 of AS-16 (Stretch ID-
31 PIU-Haflong, NH-54 (New NH-27), Km 295.000 to
km 300.76 of AS-16 (Stretch ID-30 PIU-Haflong, NH-
54 (New NH-27)” fresh Roadside Plantation (Avenue
& Median) work amounting to Rs 5,84,19,416.00
(Rupees Five Crores Eighty Four Lakh Nineteen
Thousands Four Hundred and Sixteen) only.
Details may be seen at website http://
assamtenders.gov.in and also in the Directorate of
Soil Conservation, Assam, Bhumi Shangrakshan
Bhawan, R.G.B. Road, Guwahati-05 w.e.f. 20.07.2020
during office hours.
The authority reserves the right to cancel the tender
process at any point of time without assigning any
reason thereof.Sd/- Director of Soil Conservation,
Janasanyog/C/2258/20 Assam
No. EAA/SIU/125/2018/83
NOTICEIn continuation of this office Notice vide No. EAA/
SIU/125/2018/70 Dated 15.07.2020 and in view of
the current situation of lock-down due to the
Covid-19 pandemic; the time of submission of option
for the candidates who got selected in more than
one post is hereby extended till the Midnight of
21st July, 2020.
The candidates shall submit their option for only
one post through the official website of DEE, Assam
(https://dee.assam.gov.in) as mentioned in detail
in the original notice published on 16.07.2020 as
mentioned above.
All other terms and conditions of the earlier Notice
will remain the same.Sd/- Director,
Elementary Education, Assam
Janasanyog/D/2000/20 Kahilipara, Guwahati-19
Actor threat case:FIR against twoInstagram usersMUMBAI, July 19: Mumbai
Police have registered an FIR
against two Instagram account
holders for allegedly threaten-
ing actor Rhea Chakraborty, an
official said today.
The location of the two ac-
cused is yet to be traced, the
official said, adding that the in-
vestigation in the case is at a
primary stage.
Chakraborty on Thursday
requested the Cyber Crime
Cell to look into the rape and
murder threats she has been
receiving ever since the death
of close friend, actor Sushant
Singh Rajput.
Rajput (34) was found dead
in his apartment in suburban
Bandra here on June 14, leav-
ing people in the film industry
and audiences shocked.
Chakraborty, in particular,
was subjected to online hate
with users blaming her for Ra-
jput’s suicide.
“We registered the first
information report (FIR) on
Saturday under Indian Penal
Code Sections 507 (criminal
intimidation by an anony-
mous communication), 509
(intending to insult modesty
of any woman) and relevant
provisions of the Information
Technology Act,” Santacruz
Police Station’s senior in-
spector Shriram Kore-
gaonkar said.
“No arrest has been made
so far. We are conducting an
investigation in the case,” he
added.
On Thursday, sharing a
screenshot of a hate message
she received on Instagram,
Chakraborty said while she
had ignored many abusive
texts sent to her in the past
month, the harassment was
now unbearable. The 28-year-
old actor eventually disabled the
comments section of her Insta-
gram page. – PTI
NEW DELHI, July 19: Amid
the ongoing political drama in
Rajasthan, at the centre of at-
tention are three Congress
MLAs who switched their loy-
alties at the last minute and
dashed Sachin Pilot’s hopes of
pulling the rug from under the
Ashok Gehlot Government in
the State.
These MLAs are Danish
Abrar, son of late MP Abrar
Ahmed, who is close to a pow-
erful functionary in Delhi in the
Congress set-up, Chetan Dudi
who is the MLA from Didwa-
na, and Rohit Bohra, the MLA
from Rajkhera.
These three MLAs were
considered close to Pilot and
came to Delhi on the first day
itself, but later returned.
The other MLA whose au-
dio clips have been leaked is
Bhanwar Lal Sharma who was
allegedly heard negotiating
with the BJP.
The three young MLAs re-
turned to Jaipur after inter-
vention by a top AICC func-
tionary who convinced them
to return and also got to know
the plans of the Pilot camp and
the exact numbers of MLAs in
touch with Pilot for a possible
coup, sources said.
The coup had to aborted
midway as the Congress came
to know of the plans and guard-
ed its MLAs who did not reach
Delhi.
Meanwhile, these three
MLAs on reaching Jaipur de-
nied any meeting with the BJP
and briefed the press. “We are
the soldiers of Congress and
NEW DELHI, July 19: Af-
ter the National Institute of
Open Schooling (NIOS) can-
celled this year’s board exams
for Classes X and XII due to
the coronavirus pandemic,
more than 600 prison inmates
in Delhi who were to appear
in them, heaved a sigh of re-
lief, jail officials said today.
Jail officials said the pandemic
disrupted the academic calendar
and classes had to be cancelled
in March. Therefore, only 20-
30 per cent of the syllabus could
be completed before the exams
were postponed twice and finally
scheduled in July.
Earlier, classes were held
five days a week by faculties of
various NGOs under the NIOS
programme at Delhi prisons.
Delhi has three prisons in
Tihar, Mandoli and Rohini.
As soon as the news of the
exams being cancelled was
shared with the candidates,
many of them were more than
happy and relieved, jail officials
and wardens who interact with
the inmates regularly, said.
Earlier this month, NIOS
issued a circular cancelling the
exams. The results will now
be declared based on the as-
sessment scheme finalised by
a committee of the NIOS.
According to data shared by
the Delhi Prisons authorities,
Cancellation of NIOS exams providesrelief to Delhi prison inmates
a total of 552 inmates from the
three jails had enrolled for
Class X and 62 for Class XII
through the NIOS, exams for
which are held twice a year,
between March-April and Oc-
tober-November.
Of 552 inmates who have
applied for Class X, 366 are
from Tihar, 17 from Rohini, and
169 from the Mandoli jail.
Forty-five inmates from Tihar,
four from Rohini and 13 from
the Mandoli jail have enrolled
for Class XII this year. Besides
them, around 75 inmates from
the Delhi prisons who did not
qualify in their Class X exams
last year were to reappear in
the exams this year. Nineteen
inmates were to reappear in
Class XII exams this year, offi-
cials said.
The NIOS has its study cen-
tre in the Delhi prisons from
where a prisoner can pursue
his studies and is given a certif-
icate for the particular course
without mentioning the place
of examination, which is jail.
“Under the provision of the
NIOS, the inmates who take
admission are provided study
materials and teaching facili-
ties here. We also have teach-
ers coming in from NGOs to
teach the students. Those who
are interested in pursuing
studies, we encourage them
and motivate them to take ad-
mission and continue their
studies,” said Director Gen-
eral (Prisons) Sandeep Goel.
“Due to some reasons or
circumstances, they took to
crime, but now that they are
here, this is also an opportuni-
ty for them to restart their life
afresh and make a living out of
it once they leave jails. It is part
of our various reformation pro-
grammes. Once they get into
studies, they stay focused and
have a purpose in life once they
leave the jail,” he said.
Most of the inmates who
have enrolled for NIOS pro-
grammes are from Central Jail
No. 5 in Tihar, where inmates
of the 18-21 age group are
lodged, jail officials said.
For nearly three years now,
Anil Kumar Sharma has been
a visiting faculty at Central Jail
No. 5, Tihar. He comes on be-
half of an NGO, Care Today, and
has been teaching approxi-
mately around 100 inmates in
separate batches for Classes X
and XII.
The classes were held five
days a week – from Monday
to Friday – between 1 pm and
3 pm for Class X students and
from 3 pm to 5 pm for Class
XII students.
The “Better Life School” in
Central Jail No. 5 has a class-
room like any other with a pro-
jector, blackboard, desk and
bench, he said over phone.
Sharma said he only guides
students about various sub-
jects available to them. “I leave
it to them to choose subjects.
Depending on their interest,
they are free to opt,” he said.
Recalling about his classes,
Sharma said students are quite
enthusiastic in class. They
come up with doubts and are
always interested in knowing
about things related to their
subjects.
“Some of them come for
classes, even before I reach and
they don’t disturb the class.
These inmates took to crime,
whatever may be the reason,
but now they feel they need to
study and get a degree. They
don’t intend to indulge in crim-
inal activities again. Once they
leave jail, with this certificate
they can apply for ITI and get
placements,” he said.
Even after leaving jail on bail,
many students stay in touch
and contact Sharma to enquire
about their course and exam
schedule. “Our classes are
more like interactive session.
I motivate my students with
inspirational stories. I tell
them that all is not lost. They
still stand a chance to make
their future,” he added. – PTI
NEW DELHI, July 19:
Strong winds, heavy rains
and thunder: while this may
sound just the ideal Sunday
morning for many Delhiites,
there were scores in Delhi
who would not agree.
No doubt, the sudden drop
of temperature to 29 degrees
centigrade has brought a huge
respite to many struggling
with the heat, but it has left
at least one person dead pre-
sumably by drowning, hous-
es swept away and Central-
ised Accident and Trauma
Services (CATS) teams be-
ing deployed. For many in
Delhi, it was not a Sunday,
they were hoping for.
While reports of two
deaths have come in, the po-
lice have just confirmed one
whose body was found float-
ing near Delhi’s Minto
bridge. The entire area was
submerged and the dead
man, who is identified as
Kundan, is believed to have
3 MLAs upsetSachin Pilot’s
plans in Rajasthanwill be with the party till our
last breath” said Bohra. Dudi
said his leader is Sonia Gan-
dhi, while Danish Abrar main-
tained that the Government is
under no threat.
The three MLAs returned
to Jaipur and maintained that
they were on a personal visit
to Delhi, but the leak of tapes
of Bhanwar Lal Sharma has put
the Pilot camp in the dock.
Congress spokesperson Pa-
wan Khera slammed the BJP
and said, “The entire shame-
lessness of this admission is
very shocking as they are not
worried about the fact that they
have been caught red-handed,
but they are worried about the
fact that they were being re-
corded and asking if it was le-
gal.” However, Union minister
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has
denied that he was in touch with
Sharma, but the Congress on
Sunday demanded Shekha-
wat’s removal.
“Congress demands that ei-
ther Gajendra Singh Shekha-
wat resigns or else he should
be removed so that he cannot
influence the probe,” said par-
ty leader Ajay Maken in Jaipur.
Meanwhile, 19 MLAs who
were staying in Gurugram have
shifted to a south Delhi hotel,
said sources. However it is not
clear in which hotel they are as
earlier the MLAs were in the
ITC Grand Bharat in Guru-
gram, but after the Rajasthan
Special Operations Group
reached there, the MLAs shift-
ed base and the Pilot camp is
tight-lipped about it. – IANS
A submerged DTC bus on the waterlogged Minto bridge underpass after rains in New Delhi onSunday. A tempo driver died due to drowning of his vehicle on the underpass. – PTI
Delhi rain fills up city’s cup of woesdrowned.
“Water was logged under
the Minto bridge because of
overnight rains. He tried to
manoeuvre his vehicle
through a waterlogged un-
derpass, but, apparently,
could not succeed. He, it
seems, died of drowning. No
external injury marks on his
person. Inquest proceedings
under Section 174 of the CrPC
are under way,” said a senior
Delhi Police officer.
Not very far from where
Kundan lost his life, a slum
was battered in Delhi’s ITO.
In fact, dramatic visuals show
how a house there crumbles
like a pack of cards as eye-
witnesses shout to alert the
inhabitants to flee. It result-
ed due to a canal overflowing
that weakened the base of the
house in the slum. The house
eventually was washed away.
The CATS and Delhi Fire
Service were pressed into ac-
tion to help people of Anna Na-
gar. Meanwhile, a senior Delhi
Police official confirmed, “We
are aware that a few houses
were washed away. However,
there has been no casualty re-
ported from there.”
The Indian Meteorological
Department said that Delhi’s
Safdarjung, Lodhi Road and
Ridge area received particu-
larly heavy rainfall with 74.8
mm, 81.2 mm and 86 mm
rainfall respectively. “These
three stations witnessed
heavy rainfall, in the morn-
ing hours between 5 am to
8.30 am,” Kuldeep Srivasta-
va, head of IMD’s regional
forecasting centre told this
news agency.
The ITO, the nucleus of the
capital’s workforce, has not
just been infamous for its
hours-long traffic snarls but
also for chronic drainage prob-
lems for decades now. Not far
from the area, a DTC bus was
submerged in the water un-
der the Minto bridge. – IANS
NEW DELHI, July 19: Hit-
ting out at External Affairs
Minister S Jaishankar, former
Union minister Anand Sharma
said that the rhetoric and
tweets do not change ground
reality and foreign policy must
have gravitas and depth. En-
gagements with strategic part-
ners demand seriousness and
cannot be trivialised and re-
duced to event management,
Sharma said.
In a statement, Anand Shar-
ma said, “Amused by Foreign
Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s de-
fence of a directionless foreign
policy. Neighbourhood first has
been a priority of India’s for-
eign policy but sadly derailed
by a cavalier approach,” said
Sharma.
The Congress leader said
the Government may pat its
back, but “history will judge
you by outcomes how much
you may create illusions by
your optics”.
The attack from the Con-
gress comes after the Exter-
nal Affairs Minister rebutted
Rahul Gandhi on key foreign
policy issues, which were
raised by the former Congress
president on Friday via a vid-
eo release.
Replying to Rahul Gandhi,
Cong hits out at ForeignMinister S Jaishankarfor ‘cavalier approach’
Jaishankar had said, “Rahul
Gandhi has questions on For-
eign Policy. Here are some
answers. Our major partner-
ships are stronger and inter-
national standing higher. Wit-
ness regular summits and in-
formal meetings with US, Rus-
sia, Europe and Japan. India
engages China on more equal
terms politically. Ask the ana-
lysts.”
But Anand Sharma de-
manded to know why the re-
lationship with neighbours are
low. “India and Nepal have his-
torically shared a relationship
based on trust, friendship and
mutual respect. The present
drift and tension are a matter
of national concern. The For-
eign Minister cannot have the
luxury of denial, but should an-
swer for the failures,” he said.
Sharma also attacked Jais-
hankar’s reference to the
Mumbai terror attack and said
it was “oddly out of place”.
“As India’s Ambassador and
senior diplomat, he was artic-
ulating India’s position which,
for political expediency, he has
chosen to criticise and disown.
India’s response was robust
and mobilisation of interna-
tional support exposed and iso-
lated Pakistan.” – IANS
RAIPUR, July 19: At least 25
villagers were injured, eight of
them seriously, after being alleg-
edly beaten up by Naxals for
seeking development in their
area in Dantewada district of
Chhattisgarh, police said today.
The incident took place on
Friday night in Parcheli village
under the Katekalyan Police
Station limits.
A police team rushed there
on Sunday after being alerted
about the incident, Dantewa-
da SP Abhishek Pallava said.
The SP said he and the dis-
trict collector recently visit-
ed the area during which some
people from Parcheli had de-
manded construction of roads,
25 villagers injured in Naxals’assault at Dantewada
setting up of an anganwadi
(government-run women and
child care centre) and other
development works in their
village.
The officials had assured the
villagers to consider their de-
mands, he said.
When the Naxals came to
know that the villagers sought
help from the administration
for development works in the
area, around 10-15 armed ul-
tras convened a meeting on
Friday night at Parcheli, locat-
ed around 440 km from
Raipur, and brutally hit the vil-
lagers, including women and
children, with sticks, he said.
A police team along with an
ambulance reached there on
Sunday morning and shifted 25
injured villagers to a nearby
community health centre.
Eight of them, including a
woman, who received severe
injuries were referred to the
district hospital for further
treatment, Pallava said.
The other 17 injured villag-
ers were discharged after be-
ing given primary treatment,
he said. “Such a mass beating
of villagers by Naxals has be-
come frequent in the region
and it is due to the frustration
of Naxals after some of their
accomplices surrendered to
the police while some were
arrested,” he said. – PTI
NEW DELHI, July 19:
When Ruskin Bond told his
mother that he wanted to be a
writer, she laughed saying with
his good handwriting he could
only be a clerk in a lawyer’s
office.
This was early in 1951 when
Bond was waiting for his school
board results. He knew he
would do well in English liter-
ature, history and geography,
but was not too sure about
maths and physics.
Bond’s aim was to write sto-
ries and become an author, but
no one else seemed to think it
was a good idea.
His stepfather wanted him
to attend college, his mother
advised him to join the Army,
while his school headmaster
wished he became a teacher.
These very thoughts would
terrify Bond. “A teacher! That
was the last thing I wanted to
be; I’d had enough of school
rules, homework and early
morning PT. And I had no wish
to inflict it on others. The
Army? More rules, more PT,
heavy boots, routine march-
ing...” he would think.
So finally he told his mother
that he is going to be a writer.
She laughed and told him:
“Well, you have a good hand-
writing. You could be a clerk
in a lawyer’s office.”
Mom laughed when Isaid I wanted to be awriter: Ruskin Bond
After that, Bond says, he
stopped talking about what he
was going to do.
Bond could not afford to buy
books, but thanks to a lending
library, he could borrow as
many books he liked for two
rupees. Thus he was able to
read quite a few popular fic-
tion writers – PG Wodehouse,
Agatha Christie, Dornford Yat-
es, W Somerset Maugham,
James Hilton and others.
“Sometimes, my stepfather
would also give me a rupee or
two, but I was anxious to sup-
plement my income on my
own, and the only way I could
do this was by putting my lit-
erary talents to practical use,”
he recalls.
So he began to use his step-
father’s old typewriter and
would send stories and skits
to magazines and newspapers
all over the country.
“Then, finally, a little maga-
zine in Madras called My Mag-
azine of India, accepted one of
them and paid me by money
order the princely sum of five
rupees! After that, I bombard-
ed the magazine with every-
thing I wrote and, to my de-
light, the five-rupee money
orders kept coming in,” he
writes in his latest book A
Song of India: The Year I Went
Away. – PTI
(Contd from page 1)
“Even in the face of grave persecution, the
movement by the Tibetans has never swayed
from non-violence. We are really grateful to
our supporters who have constantly raised
their voice on behalf of the people in Tibet.
From governments to politicians, to organisa-
tions to individuals has for decades stood with
us and I am sure they will continue until the
issue of Tibet is peacefully resolved,” he said.
Probe panel ...
(Contd from page 1)
Constant interactions were held with doc-
tors, nurses and all other COVID-19 warriors
and the medical colleges in the State had also
been directed to strengthen the COVID-19
treatment facility. Sonowal also said that many
inmates in the State’s jails had also been de-
tected as COVID-19 positive and necessary
steps had been initiated to ensure proper treat-
ment of those inmates. Referring to the Bagh-
jan oil well fire incident, the Chief Minister
said that the Union Petroleum Ministry had
(Contd from page 1)
“The commission will in-quire into and fix responsibilityupon government officials of anydepartment found involved incommission of any illegal min-ing or any other illegal activityin commission or abetment ofthe aforesaid forest area. Asideidentifying organisations and in-dividuals responsible for under-taking such illegal mining ac-tivities, it will further probe themanner of processing of anyapplication by any organisationor individual for grant of min-ing lease in the aforesaid forestareas during the period from2003 onwards, and also to in-quire whether grant of anymining lease during the periodwas in compliance of or in con-formity with the provisions ofapplicable laws,” sources said.
Another aspect concernssuggestion of measures for re-
covery of loss caused due tounlawful coal mining activityunder the jurisdiction of Dig-boi Forest Division, either inthe form of rent, royalty, penal-ty, land arrears or tax in termsof Section 21(5) of the Minesand Minerals (Development &Regulation) Act, 1957 or underany other law in force duringcommission of offence.
It will also suggest measuresto be taken for restoration, re-habilitation and reclamation ofareas damaged due to illegalcoal mining and ancillary activ-ities, and assess the approxi-mate amount of costs to be in-curred for such purpose.
The probe will inquire into anyother prohibited or regulatedactivities inside all the forests (RF/PRF) and wildlife sanctuary un-der Digboi Forest Division andsuggest remedial measures forchecking such activities.
been persistently carrying out activities to com-
pletely douse the fire and the State Govern-
ment was extending all cooperation in this re-
gard.
The Prime Minister said that the Central
Government was keeping a close watch on
flood, erosion, COVID-19 and the Baghjan fire
situation in the State, and had been standing
closely with the people of Assam during these
difficult times. He also assured all help and
cooperation from the Central Government in
managing these challenges.
Modi speaks to Sonowal ...
Dr Sangay said that in recent times, Tibet-
ans have not been able to come to India through
Nepal. Since 2008, the number of Tibetans
coming to India through Nepal has dwindled
and with President Xi Jinping at the helm, the
number has further dwindled. China has been
strengthening its foothold in Nepal and it is
under great pressure from China to restrict
the flow of Tibetans fleeing through the bor-
ders, he added.
Support to Tibet’s cause ...
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 7NORTH EAST
Forecast for North Eastern
States : Rain / thundershower
is very likely to occur at most
places over Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland,
Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
Warning : Thunderstorm with
lightning is very likely to occur
at isolated places over
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Meghalaya, Nagaland,
Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
Heavy to very heavy rain with
isolated extremely heavyfalls
is very likely to occur at
isolated places over Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam and
Meghalaya. Heavy rain is very
likely to occur at isolated
places over Nagaland,
Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
Temperatures :
Max (°C) Min (°C)
Dibrugarh 29.5 23.6
Tezpur 29.4 27.2
Silchar 32.4 25.8
Dhubri 27.1 24.5
Jorhat 30.7 25.5
N Lakhimpur 27.5 23.7
Shillong 21.3 19.4
Cherrapunjee 21.2 18.4
Aizawl 23.8 18.2
Kohima 25.8 18.5
Pasighat 24.9 22.1
Itanagar 28.2 23.8
Imphal 30.7 22.9
Agartala 33.0 27.2
WEATHER
NORTHEAST
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, July 19: Two COVID-19
patients succumbed to the disease at the
NEIGRIHMS here today, taking the death
toll in the State to four.
The number of active cases in the State
also rose to 397 with 32 more persons
testing positive for COVID-19.
According to health officials, one of the
deceased was a BSF personnel and the
other was an officer of the Geological Sur-
vey of India (GSI).
The BSF personnel, a type II diabetic
patient, was tested positive on July 4.
Health officials informed that he was
initially treated at the BSF composite hos-
pital and later shifted to the Shillong Civil
Meghalaya virus death toll climbs to fourHospital and then to the NEIGRIHMS
when his condition worsened.
He, however, did not recover and final-
ly passed away today.
On the other hand, the GSI officer had
returned from Kolkata and was under quar-
antine when he complained of abdominal
pain. He was diagnosed with acute “Calcu-
lus Cholecystitis”. He was admitted to the
NEIGRIHMS on July 5 where he tested
positive for COVID-19, health officials said.
On July 16 and 17 he tested negative for
COVID-19, but developed respiratory
problems and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Despite best efforts by the doctors, he
could not be saved, officials added. The
deceased was from Ri-Bhoi district.
Meanwhile, Director of Health Servic-
es Aman War informed that 32 new COV-
ID-19 cases have been reported.
Of these 32 new cases, 29 are BSF per-
sonnel and two civilians. All the BSF per-
sonnel are from East Khasi Hills.
One case has also been reported from
Khanapara in Ri-Bhoi district.
There is a possibility that Mawpat and
Rynjah areas could be declared as contain-
ment zones. The BSF headquarters are
located in these two areas, which wit-
nessed a surge in COVID-19 cases.
“At the end, the State Government has
to decide whether to declare these areas
as containment zones,” War said.
A PTI report from Shillong adds: The
Meghalaya government has declared four lo-
calities in Ri-Bhoi district bordering Assam
as containment zones to prevent the spread
of COVID-19, officials said on Sunday.
Ri-Bhoi district magistrate RM Kurbah
issued the order on Saturday night based
on the recommendation of the Health de-
partment, the official said.
The areas declared as containment zone
include 13th Mile Tamulikuchi, Byrnihat,
Baridua till Khanapara with effect from July
19 to July 26.
“The order was issued in view of the
rise in detection of COVID-19 positive
patients... who are inhabitants of 13th Mile
Tamulikuchi, Byrnihat, Baridua and Khan-
apara area,” the official said.
The order prohibits movements within
the containment zone and inhabitants can
move only in case of medical emergencies
or for essential goods and services.
The Director of Health Services said
the situation in areas from Byrnihat to
Khanapara is “very alarming”.
“Although there is no community spread
in the State, the situation in these areas
bordering Assam is quite alarming,” Dr
War told reporters.
“We are still doing contact tracing and if
the virus is from Guwahati, we are a bit in
trouble as it very virulent and we hope
that we would be able to contain the
spread,” he said.
Meanwhile, night curfew imposed in the
State capital here has been extended till
July 27. East Khasi Hills district authori-
ties said the night curfew will be in force
from 9 pm to 5 am.
CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR, July 19: Taking
strong exception to the decision of
University Grants Commission to
conduct final year examinations
before September 30, the State’s
apex students’ body All Arunachal
Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU)
today appealed to the HRD Ministry
and the UGC to cancel terminal
examinations for end-semester
students in the State in view of the
prevailing COVID-19 crisis.
The UGC, in its latest guidelines,
said the universities must conduct
AAPSU demands cancellation of end-semester examstheir final year/final semester exams
before September 30 which can be
held either online or offline, or using
a combination of both.
In a representation sent to the
Union Human Resource Develop-
ment Minister, the AAPSU said the
UGC decision has led to confusion
and chaos among the parents,
teachers and other stakeholders.
“Most of the final semester
students from Rajiv Gandhi Universi-
ty (RGU), Doimukh and colleges
affiliated to it in the State are not
ready to take exams due to fear of
the COVID-19 pandemic,” the
representation said.
Further, the months-long lockdown,
including the ongoing one at Itanagar
Capital Complex which also includes
Doimukh where the State’s lone
Central University
is located, has
severely affected
the mental and emotional well-being
of the students. The same was
conveyed to the AAPSU by the Rajiv
Gandhi University Students’ Union
(RGUSU),” it said.
AAPSU further stated that other
State Universities and institutions in
Arunachal Pradesh are also unsure
about the exams and many of the
students studying in these universities
are “against the move of the MHRD
and UGC to forcibly push for exams
during such a serious health crisis
which has affected
the entire nation”.
Stating that “the
challenges in a frontier and topo-
graphically diverse region like ours
are manifold”, AAPSU said, “We
genuinely feel that the concept of
online or offline mode of examination
is not possible in our State due to the
prevailing conditions, including the
great digital divide and the serious
risks posed due to the COVID-19
pandemic.” It also cited that the
intermediate semester exams have
been cancelled and the students have
been promoted to the next class.
Further, the recent landslides,
floods and other natural calamities in
Arunachal Pradesh have cut off
surface and digital communication in
many districts of the State. Further,
many parts of Arunachal Pradesh and
Assam are currently under lock-
down. It will be almost impossible
for the students to make it to the
university,” the AAPSU said in
support of its demand.
The union is also skeptical about
the safety and security measures to
be put in place for the students, and
the teachers as well, if they are
compelled to appear for the exams.
“The hardships people continue to
face due to the pandemic are very
much unprecedented and cannot be
measured. While many of the offices,
schools, factories, public places, etc.,
are closed, we don’t find any merit in
conducting exams for the final
semester students in the universi-
ties,” it said. At present, many of the
students are at their native places
due to lockdown restrictions.
COVID-19 crisis
A submerged village in West Garo Hills as seen on Sunday. – Photo: Correspondent
CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR, July 19: In view of the rising
coronavirus cases in the State, the Arunachal
Pradesh Government has extended the lock-
down in Itanagar capital complex till August 3.
“The decision to extend the lockdown was
taken to contain the local transmission of the
disease in the capital complex,” State Chief Sec-
retary, Naresh Kumar told reporters today.
Itanagar capital complex has witnessed a
spurt in COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks.
The Chief Secretary said that the lockdown
extension was required so as to facilitate the
district administration and the Health depart-
ment to carry out surveillance and conduct
rapid antigen tests on all primary and second-
ary contacts of the COVID-19 patients.
He said that a large-scale testing for COV-
ID-19 will be initiated for all the primary and
secondary contacts as well as the vulnerable
groups during this period. The government
has constituted 20 teams which would visit
Lockdown extended inItanagar capital complex
all 20 wards in Itanagar capital region for rap-
id antigen tests, he added.
The Chief Secretary said that no move-
ment of people, including vehicles except for
the exempted ones like those of essential
services, and inter-district movement of peo-
ple to/from Itanagar capital complex except
pressing emergency cases with prior approval
of concerned DCs will be allowed during the
extended lockdown period. He informed that
lockdown relaxation would remain similar as
announced earlier. Grocery shops will be al-
lowed to open at sectors and colonies. Home
delivery of essential items will also be allowed.
Kumar further said that the medicines
which are primarily recommended to treat
COVID-19 patients are available in the State.
Apart from that, he informed that the MLA
Apartments at Chimpu near Itanagar are be-
ing developed as a COVID Care Centre, while
a pre-fabricated dedicated COVID hospital
with ICU facility would be opened at Midpu
under Doimukh circle by the end of this month.
Tripura Youth Congress activists staging a demonstration against price hike of petroleum products in Agartala on
Sunday. – Photo: Correspondent
CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR, July 19:
Arunachal Pradesh has
reported 41 new cases,
taking the COVID-19 tally
to 650.With the release of
99 patients following their
recovery, the State’s total
number of cured patients
increased to 274, while
active cases were recorded
at 373, coupled with three
casualties, according to a
bulletin issued by the
Directorate of Health
Services here last night.
Of the 41 new positive
650 COVID-19 casesin Arunachal
cases, 18 cases were
detected in Itanagar capital
complex and six in Chiputa
under Doimukh circle of
Papum Pare district – all
found outside the quaran-
tine facility.
As per the bulletin, 10
cases were reported from
Lower Siang district, three
from Lower Dibang Valley
and two each from Lower
Subansiri and West
Kameng district.
All the Lower Siang and
Lower Dibang Valley cases
are returnees and detected
in quarantine facility , while
one each case of Lower
Subansiri and West Kameng
are returnees and detected
in quarantine facility.
Out of the 41 cases, 40
were found to be asympto-
matic and one symptomatic.
All have been shifted to
COVID Care Centers, the
bulletin said.
Of the 99 positive cases
released on Saturday,
Itanagar capital complex
accounts for 97 and two
cases in Namsai district. A
total of 38,042 samples
have been tested in the
state so far, he said.
CORRESPONDENT
AIZAWL, July 19: With two more cases
reported, Mizoram’s tally for COVID-19 to-
day rose to 284. Of the 148 samples tested at
Zoram Medical College lab in Aizawl on Sat-
urday, two men were confirmed to be posi-
tive, an official statement said today.
It added that the two are non-locals, aged
27 and 46, who were under institutional quar-
antine and asymptomatic. They returned from
outside Mizoram. With this, Mizoram has a
284 COVID-19 cases, of which 117 are active
and 167 are recovered cases.
Aizawl district has the highest number of ac-
tive cases at 77, followed by Lunglei with 16
cases, Lawngtlai with 13 cases, Serchhip four
cases, Siaha and Champhai three cases each and
one in Mamit district. Kolasib, Khawzawl, Hnah-
thial and Saitual districts are presently virus-free.
Curfew clamped in Aizawl neighbour-
hood: Curfew was clamped in Salem Veng
neighbourhood in Aizawl after a person, un-
der quarantine at R Dengthuama Hall at the
locality who tested positive for coronavirus,
Mizoram reports 2 newCOVID-19 cases
was found to have sneaked out of the facility
and bought things from a shop.
A Myanmarese national, who tested posi-
tive last Friday night, had ventured out of the
quarantine facility and bought things from a
shop at Salem Veng locality before his result
was declared. Salem Veng local task force on
COVID-19 secretary K Lalrinmawia said that
13 Myanmarese nationals who returned from
Delhi were quarantined at R Dengthuama
Hall. They were sent to Champhai town near
Myanmar border on Friday before their test
results were out.
According to a local secretary, at least 15 sam-
ples from Salem Veng locality were collected
on Saturday and test results were awaited. “Cur-
few will not be lifted until all primary contacts of
the positive person test negative,” he said.
The local task force, as well as the local peo-
ple, was extremely unhappy with the police
personnel who guard the quarantine facility.
“We implore the police personnel to be
more alert no to allow any more such inci-
dent. They should have stood guard 24 hours,”
the local secretary said.
AGARTALA, July 19 :Six
agricultural scientists of
three north-eastern states -
Tripura, Meghalaya and Aru-
nachal Pradesh were award-
ed ICAR’s National Award
for their outstanding innova-
tion in farming and boosting
agricultural economy in the
region, officials said.
A senior official of the In-
dian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) said that
besides six scientists, two
Krishi Vigyan Kendras
(KVK) in Arunachal Pradesh
and Manipur and three farm-
ers of Tripura, Arunachal
Pradesh and Meghalaya re-
ceived the ICAR awards on
Thursday for their excep-
tional feats in agricultural and
farming sectors of the region.
Four scientists -- Lopa-
6 NE scientists getICAR awards
mudra Sahoo, Gulab Singh
Yadav, Chandan Debnath and
Basant Kumar Kandpal, who
are associated with the ICAR
research complex in Tripura
received the Fakhruddin Ali
Ahmed Award and Swami
Sahajan and Saraswati Award
for the year 2019-20. Scien-
tist Amit Kumar, who is cur-
rently associated with the
ICAR research complex in
Meghalaya and Nangsol Dol-
ma Bhutia, Assistant Profes-
sor of Central Agricultural
University at Pasighat in Aru-
nachal Pradesh have received
the Jawaharlal Nehru Award
for PG Outstanding Doctor-
al Thesis Research in Agri-
cultural and Allied Sciences.
The ICAR on its foundation
day has been recognising and
rewarding the institutions, sci-
entists, teachers, farmers and
agricultural journalists every
year for their outstanding per-
formance in research and in-
novation on agriculture. On the
occasion of the 92nd founda-
tion day on Thursday, Union
Minister of Agriculture and
Farmers’ Welfare Narendra
Singh Tomar gave these
awards at a ceremony organ-
ised on a virtual platform.
ICAR’s Tripura research
complex scientist Sahoo said
that for the past 10 years, a team
of scientists, is striving hard
for socio-economical upliftment
of tribal farmers of Tripura
through inter-disciplinary re-
search and development in the
field of integrated farming, con-
servation agriculture, compos-
ite fish culture and resource
management. – IANS
Tripura recordstwo moreCOVID-19
deathsCORRESPONDENT
AGARTALA, July 19: Two
more persons with comor-
bidities died of COVID-19 in
Tripura on Saturday, taking
the death toll due to the con-
tagion in the State to five.
One of them was a woman
in her sixties having throat
cancer while another was a
73-year-old man with diabe-
tes and hypertension.
“Unfortunately 2 COVID-
19 patients died today.
Among them one was a pa-
tient of throat cancer and an-
other person was patient of
Hypertension,” Tripura
Chief Minister Biplab Kumar
Deb said in a Facebook post.
He further said that of 4184
samples tested yesterday,
171 were found to be COV-
ID-19 positive.
A large number of BSF
personnel, mostly from Dha-
lai district, have contracted
the disease. Among the 171
fresh cases detected yester-
day, a whopping 146 are BSF
jawans.
Sepahijala, Gomati, South
and West districts are the
worst-hit by the pandemic in
Tripura.
Dhalai district, which re-
ported the first case of COV-
ID-19 in the State in May,
reported 85 new cases yes-
terday.
A total of 1,05,059 COV-
ID-19 tests have been con-
ducted, including 91,776 RT-
PCR tests and 13,283 Rapid
Antigen Tests, in the State
so far.
Currently, the total
number of COVID-19 cases
in Tripura stands at 2,673.
“To fight the COVID19
pandemic, our Govt is focus-
ing on: Testing, Tracing and
Treatment. We are conduct-
ing maximum number of
tests to ensure safety of eve-
ryone, we have adequate
Medical Infrastructure to
tackle the Pandemic. Re-
questing everyone to co-op-
erate and not to Panic,” the
Chief Minister wrote on Fa-
cebook.
Manipur’sCOVID-19
tally touches1,911
CORRESPONDENT
IMPHAL, July 19: Manipur
today reported 20 new COV-
ID-19 cases, taking the State’s
tally to 1,911.
Dr Khoirom Sasheekumar
Mangang, Additional Direc-
tor of the Health department
informed that all the infect-
ed persons are now under-
going treatment in the vari-
ous COVID care facilities.
In the last 24 hours, 53
persons have been dis-
charged after their recovery.
According to the Health
department, the recovery
rate in the State stands at 64.62
per cent. As on Sunday, a total
of 3,08,973 persons were
screened at various entry
points of the State.
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020 8 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI
STATENEWS IN BRIEF
3 found positive atGossaigaon
GOSSAIGAON, July 19: Three persons – two male andone female have been found COVID-19 positive atGossaigaon. Health department sources here informedthat Deba Shankar Saha(46), Jyotish Devnath (43) andSnhha Saha (18) all fro dalgaon village have testedpositive. – ANN Service
Two positive at GauripurGAURIPUR, July 19 : Two more COVID-19 positive
cases were found at Gauripur yesterday evening. Theyare Atul Charaniya (28) and Ranjit Poddar (30). AtulCharaniya was sent to Guwahati and Ranjit Poddar wassent to Dhubri Civil Hospital for treatment. At Gauripurthe positive cases have gone upto 16 till the filing of thisreport. – Correspondent
Hailakandi corona casesHAILAKANDI, July 19: Sixty-eight more COVID-19
positive cases were reported from Hailakandi district onSaturday, taking the total tally to 710. This is the secondhighest spike in the district. Health authorities heredisclosed that six more police personnel and four moreemployees of the DC’s establishment have been afflictedwith the disease. As many as 18 positive cases havebeen detected in ward numbers 15 and 7 under Hailakan-di municipal area. – Correspondent
CRPF man dies of COVIDBISWANATH CHARIALI, July 19: An ASI of CRPF,
Padmeswar Deori died of COVID-19 on Friday night ina hospital at Avantipur, Srinagar. Deori who hailed fromShantipur Deorigaon village of Gohpur in Biswanathdistrict, was reportedly under treatment in a hospitalthere for the last six days. He was 56. Late Deori hadbeen stationed at Avantipur for two years. – Corre-spondent
AP member tests positiveJAGIROAD, July 19: An Anchalik Panchayat member of
Deosal Panchayat under Jagiroad Police Station KartikDas (Debasish) was found COVID-19 positive onSaturday afternoon. He was admitted to the HPCLCOVID-19 hospital, Jagiroad. – Correspondent
Online int’l workshopGUWAHATI, July 19: The Department of Political
Science, Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and AncientStudies University, Nalbari recently organised an onlineinternational workshop on ‘Mapping Post COVID-19World: Challenges and Opportunities’. A number ofeminent scholars took part in the workshop which wasinaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor of the University ProfDipak Kumar Sharma. – Staff Reporter
Bank looted of materialsGOSSAIGAON, July 19: Three men entered the UCO
Bank on July 17 night and looted valuable machineryequipment but could not take any cash money. CCTVfootage showed Bank showed three men inside the bankand ransacking various equipment. Materials worth Rs 3lakh was stolen, the manager stated. Police investigationis on to nab the thieves. – ANN Service
Bhattadev varsityGUWAHATI, July 18: The Bhattadev University has
initiated the online admission process for undergraduate,post-graduate and post-graduate diploma programmes forthe session 2020-21. The university is providing BAprogramme with honours in Assamese, Economics,Education, English, Geography, History, Philosophy,Political Science and Sanskrit and BSc course withhonours in Botany, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics,Physics, Statistics, and Zoology. The University is alsoopening PhD programmes from the coming academicsession in Assamese, Geography, Zoology, Mathematics,Physics and Chemistry, a press release stated. – StaffReporter
Mushahary’s death condoledGOSSAIGAON, July 19: The Asam Sahitya Sabha,
Gossaigaon branch has condoled the death of SahityaAkademi awardee Guneswar Mushahary. The Sabha flagwas flown at half mast on Saturday in front of theKamamnath Club-cum-Library, Gossaigaon. The presi-dent of the branch, Parasu Kalita in his speech termedMushahary as a true lover of Assamese literature and aman having a multifaceted personality. Advisor of thebranch, Sankar Chandra Das, also spoke a few wordshighlighting late Mushahary’s helping hands in leadingthe Gossaigaon branch Sabha to a standard literaryinstitution. Secretary of the branch Khanindra Nath Das,recalled late Mushahary’s contributions to the people ofGossaigaon as a sensitive personality. – ANN Service
Flood relief camps inspected
GUWAHATI, July 19: The Deputy Commissioner ofGoalpara, Varnali Deka visited flood-affected areas underKharmuza GP, Ramharirchar, Nakaliyapara char, Katlamarichar, Barvita, Sonahara and various relief camps inGoalpara including Jaitunnessa LPS, Boys HighMadrassa, MKN memorial HS etc., a press releasestated. She inspected all the arrangements in the campsincluding arrangements as per ASDMA directives,interacted with the inmates regarding the facilitiesreceived, supervised the child-friendly spaces etc. Allcamp inmates expressed satisfaction about the efforts ofthe administration.
CORRESPONDENT
TEZPUR, July 19: The All Bodo
Students’ Union (ABSU) is happy
with the performance of the Boro-
medium students in the 2020 HSLC
examination.
In a telephonic conversation with
this correspondent, ABSU president,
Dipen Boro said that the perform-
ance of Boro-medium students in the
examinations has shown an upward
trend, which is very satisfying to note.
“After Boro was introduced as a
medium of instruction in 1963, the
students have withstood many tough
challenges,” he said adding that the
ABSU has been able to successfully
mentor and guide the Boro students
of the region.
Speaking about the state of Boro-
medium schools and its students, the
ABSU chief said that along with oth-
er national and social organisations of
the Boro community, the ABSU has
also relentlessly been working to give
ABSU happy with Boro-medium students’ performance in HSLC examsa dynamic thrust to the Boro-medi-
um students, because of which
amidst a number of problems like
poor infrastructure, lack of timely
supply of textbooks, insufficient
teachers etc., the students have grad-
ually been able to give good perform-
ances in various examinations, includ-
ing the HSLC examination, which is
considered as the first important ex-
amination of their life.
“We feel that our children/stu-
dents too have got talent, but they
do not get the required exposure.
Despite this, as a result of a series of
various awareness programmes,
like a five-year plan– educational
movement, christened ‘Mission
Quality Education 2006,’ carried out
by the ABSU till date, we have be-
ing able to get a better feedback in
this line.” He added “though it is
not sufficient in today’s competitive
world, we are hopeful that in the
days to come if the government
comes forward with a positive in-
tent to implement every clause, es-
pecially the educational points men-
tioned in the recent BTR/Peace
agreement, then the Boro-medium
students will get a facelift.”
Highlighting the academic graph
since 2006 of the Boro-medium stu-
dents in the HSLC Final Examina-
tions, he said that year, altogether
66 students passed in the 1st divi-
sion. “Maintaining a good trend, 58
students passed in the 1st division
in 2007, 101 in 2008, 78 in 2009, 141
in 2010, 137 in 2011, 263 in 2012,
326 in 2013, 540 in 2014, 909 in
2015, 1174 in 2016, 1370 in 2017,
1266 in 2019 and 1304 students
passed in the 1st division this year
in Boro medium,” he said. He said
that many Boro-medium students
who couldn’t even clear their HSLC
examinations due to various factors
are today happy at the progress
shown by today’s students. “We are
really happy that our students stud-
ying in the Boro medium are shin-
ing in their higher education besides
clearing many regional and national-
level competitive examinations like
the APSC, UPSC, NEET, JEE etc,”
Boro said.
However, annoyed with govern-
ment’s indifferent attitude towards
the condition of these schools, he said
that they are still plagued with a
number of problems like inadequate
teachers, poor infrastructure facilities
etc. “A number of rosy programmes
meant for educational development
of the State are yet to reach many
Boro-medium schools due to which
Boro students are deprived from ad-
equate education. There are still a
number of Boro-medium schools to-
day running with a single teacher.
Moreover, there are many schools
in forest villages where the govern-
ment is reluctant to grant govern-
ment aid, an act which violates the
Right to Education Act 2009,” Dipen
Boro said. Pointing out to the sorry
state of these schools, Boro further
said that a critical situation awaits
many Boro medium students study-
ing in zero teacher schools, single
teacher schools, venture schools, and
schools where the teachers’ posts
have not been provincialised and the
lack of sufficient textbooks etc. “We
demand that all these problems be
sorted out soon so that the Boro-
medium students can give further
better performances in the near fu-
ture”, he added.
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
JORHAT, July 19: Health and Family
Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
has suggested to the Jorhat Medical Col-
lege and Hospital authorities to set up a
separate isolation ward for all patients
coming to the hospital for emergency
treatment in order to contain the spread
of COVID-19 among doctors and em-
ployees.
Speaking to mediapersons after his
visit to the JMCH on Saturday, Sarma
suggested that patients should first be
isolated and doctors and staff wearing
PPE kits should examine them. He said
that the patients should be tested for
Himanta for separate isolation wardat JMCH for emergency patients
COVID-19 virus, the results of which
should be given within eight to 12 hours.
“If the patients test negative, then they
should they be shifted to other wards,”
Sarma observed.
It may be mentioned here that in
Jorhat district about 60 healthcare work-
ers and doctors have tested positive for
COVID-19 in recent days.
The Minister further stated that he had
instructed the Health department to sup-
ply insulin and other requirements to
COVID-19 patients who were also suf-
fering from diabetes and heart ailments.
He said that he also asked JMCH au-
thorities to allow home-made food for
COVID-19 patients if the family of the
patients were willing to give the food,
but should ensure that the food was
packed in disposable packets/containers.
Meanwhile, Jorhat Deputy Commis-
sioner Roshni A Korati informed on Sat-
urday evening that Shyamal, a resident
of Gar-Ali area, died at the JMCH on
Saturday. It is learnt that Shyamal was a
plumber from Odisha who was staying
here and working.
Meanwhile, 75 positive cases were
found on Saturday in Jorhat district out
of which 74 did not have travel history,
the Jorhat Deputy Commissioner stat-
ed. Among the 75 positive people, 28
were of Jorhat town having no travel his-
tory, Korati said.
ABSU president Dipen Boro
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal distributing ex-gratia cheque of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of flood victims atJhargaon under Mayong Revenue Circle in Morigaon district, on Sunday. – UB Photos
CORRESPONDENT
NALBARI, July 19: Two
progressive farmers of Nal-
bari district recently bagged
national awards declared by
the Indian Council of Agricul-
tural Research (ICAR) in dif-
ferent categories.
In agriculture sector Biju
Kalita and Bipul Haloi of Bal-
itara village of the district who
were nominated by Krishi
Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nal-
bari got the Pandit Deendayal
Upadhyay Antyodaya Krishi
Puraskar and Jagjivan Ram
Abhinav Kisan Puraskar,
ICAR, 2019 respectively.
It may be mentioned here
that Biju Kalita and Bipul
Haloi both of the same vil-
lage have been engaged in
the farm sector since a long
time back. Kalita owns a fish-
ery-based multi-component
livestock and horticultural
farm with piggery, poultry,
dairy and goatery units. His
annual income is reportedly
more than Rs 21 lakh. Simi-
larly, Bipul Haloi is also en-
gaged primarily in agricul-
ture and horticulture with
integrated fishery and live-
stock components. His an-
nual income is also more than
Rs 15 lakh.
Their contribution to the
society in food production and
doubling farmers income is
an inspiration to the youths.
Their farms are a massive at-
traction for the youth who
want to take up agriculture as
an entrepreneural venture.
Nalbari farmers bagnational awards
Biju Kalita Bipul Haloi
CORRESPONDENT
DIPHU, July 19: “The Kar-
bi Anglong Forest department
under the administrative ju-
risdiction of Karbi Anglong
Autonomous Council has tak-
en all necessary steps to pro-
tect the wild animals who have
crossed the national highway
and scaled the northern Kar-
bi Anglong hill range,” said Dr
Abhijit Rabha, Special Chief
Conservator of Forests, after
Chief Minister Sarbananda
Sonowal during his recent
visit to the flood-hit Kaziran-
ga National Park, had direct-
ed the district administration
to take all necessary meas-
ures in this regard.
Speaking to this corre-
spondent, Dr Rabha said that
many animals have crossed
over to the hills of Karbi An-
glong district during the sec-
ond wave of flood, which has
inundated 95 per cent area of
the national park.
“As a standard operating
procedure, the Karbi Anglong
Forest department under the
administrative jurisdiction of
Karbi Anglong Autonomous
Council has taken all neces-
sary steps to protect the wild
animals who have crossed the
national highway and scaled
the Northern Karbi Anglong
hill range dominated by Dola-
mara and Parkup Pahar rang-
es under the control of East
Division Forest of Karbi An-
glong autonomous district.
“The encouraging aspect is
that the local residents are
helping us a lot in driving back
the stray rhinos and ele-
phants to the plateau behind
the Bagori range. Officers,
armed forest guards and a
substantial number of armed
home guards have been
pressed into service to keep
strict vigilance on the migrat-
ing animals.
“Actually in anticipation of
the floods, we had prepared
our forces earlier not just to
keep vigil within our areas,
but to cooperate with our
counterparts to cover a
number of parts extended
across the national highway on
the fringes of the park. Cer-
tain areas between the hills
and the national highway have
been flooded and the animals
are crossing the area peril-
ously. No causality of wildlife
or our staff has taken place till
now, but we are all set to pro-
tect wildlife of Kaziranga”. Dr
Rabha said.
Earlier, Sonowal had sur-
veyed the inundated areas of
Kaziranga National Park in a
speed boat cutting through the
upstream of Mora Difalu Riv-
er from the foothills of Bagori
Range of the Park to perceive
the situation of the marooned
animals and the action taken
by the park authority to en-
sure their defence.
During his hour-long visit
to the flood-hit areas of the
park, the Chief Minister ob-
served the animals taking
shelter at the highlands built
by the Forest department in
the flood-prone areas of the
park. He also visited the flood-
affected forest camps at
Gorakati, Mora Difalu and
Mur Phuloni and exchanged
views with the forest guards
on keeping vigil against all
odds to protect the stranded
animals.
All steps takento protect KNP
wildlife: Dr Rabha
Incessant rains stallnormal life at Gauripur
CORRESPONDENT
GAURIPUR, July 19 :
Non-stop and very heavy
rains for the last 24 hours
have stalled normal life in
greater Gauripur area. Al-
most all the four wards of the
historic town remain under
knee-deep water. Specially
the Malapatty, Pramathesh
Barua Road, Taranath Gos-
wami Road, Baruapatty Road,
Masterpara, Chadakbari
Road, Namasudrapara Road
are under water.
Some of the roadside hous-
es in the areas are sub-
merged. Pucca drains of the
town are overflowing caus-
ing serious health hazards to
the tax payers as these drains
have not been cleared for last
three to four months. The
residents of the town have
been compelled to remain at
their homes. Some of the
cattle farmers of the town
failed to supply milk to their
customers as their cowsheds
are under rain water. There
is no sign of improvement of
the weather and the town is
facing uninterrupted rain till
filing of this report.
Meanwhile, the Gadadhar
river is flowing above the
danger level and has inundat-
ed vast areas including
Asharkandi, South Geramari,
Beguntali, Falimari, Harin-
chara, part of Bhelakoba, Sar-
aldanga, Chapgarh, Fulku-
mari villages under Gauripur
circle. Vegetables farmers
have had to incur heavy loss
as almost all their fields have
been submerged by rain and
flood water.
The Milan Sangha connecting road of Gauripur seen underrain water. – Photo: Ambu Nath Sharma
Huge cache ofarms recovered
CORRESPONDENT
UDALGURI, July 19: Act-
ing on a tip-off, the Udalguri
police recovered a huge cache
of arms from a ditch at the bank
of Laxmi river near No. 2 Gh-
agra village under Harisinga
PS in Udalguri district today.
The search operation jointly
launched by Bidyut Das Boro,
Additional SP, Premabkur Haz-
arika, O/C of Harisinga PS and
Dipak Das, O/C of Orang PS
recovered one HK series ri-
fle, M16 rifle, AK-47 rifle, four
magazines and 27 rounds of live
ammunition from the spot. A
case has been registered at
Harisinga police station.
OBITUARY
Bina DasCORRESPONDENT
JAGIROAD, July 19: Bina
Das of Jagiroad-Nizarapar
here died on Saturday early
morning at a private hospital
at Guwahati due to cardiac
arrest. She was 80.
She was actively associat-
ed with religious organisa-
tions in the area. She leaves
behind her husband, two
daughters, one son and a host
of relatives.
THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 9MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020
STATE
Women transplanting paddy seedlings in a field at Bakaliaghat in Karbi Anglong, on Sunday. – UB Photos
CORRESPONDENT
DHUBRI, July 19: Although the water lev-
el of the Brahmaputra in Dhubri district was
on the receding trend since the last few days,
yet heavy rains today resulted in 278 villages
being submerged, thereby affecting a popula-
tion of 3,15,838.
According to the Daily Flood Report by the
District Disaster Management Authority un-
der Dhubri revenue circle, 18 villages with a
total population of 16,250 have been affected
by the overflowing waters.
Similarly, 16 villages under Gauripur, 13
under Agomoni, 44 under Chapar, 23 in Bilas-
ipara, and 164 villages under South Salmara
Circle have been affected by the seasonal del-
uge.
The ongoing floods claimed another life in
the district as the body of an 8-year-old was
Over 3 lakh affected byfloods in Dhubri district
recovered on Saturday. The minor died due
to drowning in the Brahmaputra near his home
at Nayahat Pt-III under Bilasipara Circle.
The ongoing flood has already damaged at
least six roads and two bridges in the district.
At the time of filing this report, the Brah-
maputra had crossed the danger level and was
flowing at 29.58 metres while the Gangadhar
was flowing at 30.19 metres, when their dan-
ger levels are 28.68 metres and 29.94 metres
respectively.
Although the level of the Brahmaputra was
receding, the level of the Gangadhar was ris-
ing and rainfall measuring 154.8 mm was re-
corded over the Brahmaputra during the last
24 hours.
Following heavy rain, almost all the drains
of Dhubri town were clogged and flash floods
affected at least eight out of 16 wards in Dhu-
bri town.
Himanta takes stock ofSivasagar Covid scenario
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewing the COVID-19 scenario at the SukaphaBhawan in Sivasagar, on Sunday. – UB Photos
CORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR, July 19 :
Health, Education, PWD and
Finance Minister Dr Himan-
ta Biswa Sarma met the
Sivasagar district administra-
tion in a meeting today
evening at the Sukapha Bha-
wan here and reviewed the
overall situation in the dis-
trict brought about by the
pandemic.
The Minister, accompanied
by Minister Jogen Mohan, MP
Topon Kumar Gogoi and MP
Rameswar Teli, instructed
health officials to strictly fol-
low clinical procedures while
conducting swab and Rapid
Antigen Tests every day.
The Minister told the dis-
trict administration to set up
3 or 4 more COVID-19
Screening Centres in the dis-
trict and conduct a minimum
of 300 test per day. He sug-
gested that ASHA workers
should be deployed to iden-
tify persons with travel his-
tory and help them in going
for tests.
Dr Sarma instructed the
SP of Sivasagar to strictly
implement inter-district
travel ban and also contact the
truckers in the loading and
unloading places in order to
make them cooperate with
the healthcare system.He
also directed the Health De-
partment to carry out swab
tests on the jail inmates too.
Sarma said that till August,
the situation may further de-
teriorate and in September
it may show signs of im-
provement.
He said that asymptomat-
ic patients may be asked to
stay at home if they have sep-
arate toilet and have no one
at home with diabetes or
above 60 years of age.
The Minister assured that
over 3,000 Rapid Antigen
Test kits will be sent to the
district soon.
The Deputy Commission-
er of Sivasagar Lakhinandan
Gogoi, Superintendent of Po-
lice Amitabh Sinha and Joint
Director of Health Services
Dr Jayanta Biswa Sarma,
among others, attended the
meeting.
Meanwhile, going by the
present tend of transmission
every single day, Sivasagar
town is heading towards be-
coming another hotbed of
COVID-19.
With 24 new COVID-19
patients being detected dur-
ing the last 24 hours, 87 of
the 117 beds in Sivasagar’s
Covid Hospital have already
been occupied by patients.
One Doctor in Moran, one
security man of an SBI ATM
and 10 women have tested pos-
itive during the last 24 hours.
Barring a few, all the others
did not have any travel history.
Dr Udayaditta Rajkonwar,
senior medical officer of
Sivasagar said that general
people need to be very care-
ful now and avoid social con-
tact as far as possible.
3 suspectedBangla cattle
smugglerskilled
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR, July 19: Three
unidentified suspected Bang-
ladeshi cattle smugglers
were killed by a mob at Bog-
rijan Tea Estate under
Patharkandi Police Station in
Karimganj district.
Karimganj Superintendent
of Police Kumar Sanjit Krish-
na today said, “on enquiry it
was revealed that the suspect-
ed Bangladeshi nationals had
illegally crossed the interna-
tional border with a motive
of stealing cattle from the
vicinity.They were killed by
unknown miscreants.”
The SP further informed
that rope, fencing cutter, wire,
bags and food items made in
Bangladesh were recovered
by the possession of the de-
ceased. Follow-up action and
further investigation is under
process, he added.
Meanwhile, police also in-
formed that talks are being
held with the Border Guards
of Bangladesh (BGB)
through the BSF regarding
identification of the suspect-
ed Bangladeshi nationals.
Stolen ricerecovered,four held
CORRESPONDENT
DOOMDOOMA, July 19:
A case of stealing rice meant
for government supply came
to light when a police team
from Changsari Police Station
in Guwahati led by Deepak
Borkakoti recovered 57 bags
of stolen rice from the gro-
cery shop of one Rajkumar
Prasad and 5 bags of rice from
the grocery store of one San-
dip Prabhakar of Netaji Road
(Sonari Patty) of Doom-
dooma town today afternoon.
Both the grocers were
picked up by police.
The investigation officer
Deepak Borkakoti told this
Correspondent that on July
9 a truck loaded with 341
bags of rice and 272 bags of
white pea (motor) left for
Margherita from a Changsa-
ri-based godown in Guwaha-
ti for supply in the Anganwa-
di centres in Margherita.
But when the truck did not
reach Margherita on July 10,
the supplier filed an FIR at
Changsari Police Station.
The truck driver Arjun Ya-
dav who hails from Dibru-
garh Panchali was arrested
from Beltola area in Guwa-
hati by tracking his mobile
number.
During interrogation, he
revealed that he and his part-
ners instead of taking the
consignment to its destina-
tion, sold them at various
places on their way.
Police also arrested one
Pradeep Mishra from Chabua
in this connection. Further in-
vestigation into the case is
under way.
Webinar heldCORRESPONDENT
SIVASAGAR, July 19: In
the meantime, a webinar on
‘Indo-Sri Lanka Relations to-
wards Regional Cooperation’
was organised by the De-
partment of History at Gar-
gaon College recently.
The webinar was inaugu-
rated by Dr Sabyasashi Ma-
hanta, Principal of the col-
lege. Guest speaker Rabind-
ra Chandrasiri Polliyaguruge
spoke extensively on the so-
cio-cultural relations be-
tween the two nations and
prospects of cooperation for
development in the South
East Asian region.
He lauded the role of the
Indian Prime Minister for
initiating the SAARC Emer-
gency Fund availed by Sri
Lanka to fight the COVID-
19 pandemic in Sri Lanka.
The webinar was coordi-
nated by Dr Raktim Pator in
association with Dr
Dimbeswar Das, Dr Aram-
dao Nargery, Dr Baluram
Das, Prof Anil Tanti and Prof
Nilutpal Chutia.
Earlier, Dr Manjumoni
Gogoi, HoD, delivered the
welcome address.
A meeting under way at the Hailakandi DC’s office campus, on Sunday. – Photo: Satananda Bhattacharjee.
DC tells Hailakandi officials togird up loins to contain virus
CORRESPONDENT
HAILAKANDI, July 19: With a spike
in the number of COVID-19 positive
cases in the community, the district ad-
ministration has come up with new ways
to deal with the grim situation in order
to arrest further spread of the conta-
gious disease in the community.
Convening an emergent meeting to-
day with officials of the administration
and concerned departments on the
lawns of his office campus, Deputy Com-
missioner Megh Nidhi Dahal stressed
on channelising all energies towards
preventing further spread of the disease
within the community.
Hailakandi district has already regis-
tered 719 positive cases till today
evening. Of them, 22 are from the DC’s
office, 22 police personnel and 12 from
paramilitary forces. Some family mem-
bers of the DC’s office employees were
also found positive. Two persons died in
the district due to COVID-19 infection.
Harping on a focussed effort to con-
tain the disease at the community level,
Dahal formulated setting up of a dedi-
cated cell at IDSP Office for quick re-
sponse to any positive case, contact trac-
ing and containment of the area con-
cerned.
A magistrate will be responsible for
looking after a Covid Care Centre and
making provision for increasing the
number of bed strength in Covid Care
Centre in view of spurt in the number
of COVID-19 positive cases.
There has been detection of a number
of coronavirus positive cases under the
Rapid Antigen Test and Assam Target-
ted Surveillance Programme in the dis-
trict. Many have been found positive
without travel history, thus forcing the
administration to close down haats and
weekly markets, besides saloons and
beauty parlours. It has also made com-
pulsory for officials and employees to
undergo swab test in the wake of detec-
tion of positive cases among the em-
ployees.
Apart from closing all business estab-
lishments, except chemist shops at 5 pm,
the administration is also ruthlessly en-
forcing COVID-19 guidelines and night
curfew from 7 pm to 7 am.
Deputy Commissioner Dahal asked
all the officials concerned to gird up loins
and to work in tandem to ensure timely
and coordinated action to contain fur-
ther spread of the disease in the com-
munity.
District Programme Officer of the
District Disaster Management Author-
ity, Rupjoy Maibangsa said the meeting
which was convened at short notice by
the Deputy Commissioner in view of
the gravity of the situation, underscored
the need to contain community trans-
mission of COVID-19 pandemic in the
district.
The meeting was attended, among
others, by District Development Com-
missioner, Additional Deputy Commis-
sioner, Health, Circle Officers, Sectoral
Magistrates, BDOs, Branch Officer,
DDMA, Joint Director of Health Serv-
ices and District Surveillance Officer.
Incidentally, two persons succumbed
to the infection on Saturday. In all, 11,617
persons from outside have arrived in
the district so far. Presently, 312 per-
sons are under facility quarantine cen-
tres and 5,992 under home quarantine.
CORRESPONDENT
DOOMDOOMA, July 19:
In yet another escalation of
the COVID-19 pandemic, 12
more persons, including Tin-
sukia district Deputy Com-
missioner Bhaskar Pegu were
found COVID-19 positive.
With this, the total number
of positive cases in the district
has reached 515. All these 12
fresh cases detected in the dis-
trict have contracted the dis-
ease from the community.
Tinsukia DC Bhaskar
Pegu’s sample was taken on
Friday and his test report
came out on Saturday night.
But prior to that, the DC at-
tended several programmes
and came into contact with
many people, including mem-
bers of the public, people’s
representatives, government
officials and journalists.
On Saturday afternoon,
the DC distributed cheques
among the Baghjan victims
at his office premises in the
presence of MoS for Labour
Sanjay Kishan, Tinsukia SP
Shiladitya Chetia and OIL of-
ficials, besides a few promi-
nent personalities.
Panic obviously struck the
people who came into con-
tact with the DC after he test-
ed positive.
In the meantime, the DC
has been put on home isola-
tion at his official residence and
the entire office premises of
the Deputy Commissioner’s
establishment has been de-
clared as Containment Zone.
It may be recalled that the
Joint Director of Health Serv-
ices of the district, Dr Altaf
Ahmed too tested Covid-
positive earlier.
Meanwhile, Health and
Family Welfare Minister Dr
Himanta Biswa Sarma visit-
ed Tinsukia today to take
stock of the COVID-19 situ-
ation in the district.
The Minister visited Lok-
apriya Gopinath Bordoloi
Civil Hospital in Tinsukia and
reviewed the arrangements
made, besides seeking up-
dates from doctors about the
condition of the patients. He
also took stock of the health
condition of Sadiya MLA Bo-
lin Chetia, who too was ad-
mitted in the hospital after
he tested Covid-positive.
Later, the Minister told the
local media persons: “The
situation in the district is se-
rious, but not out of control”.
The Minister also in-
formed that since he could
not have a meeting with the
DC and other officials of the
district like ADC (Health) and
the Joint Director of Health
Services as they all tested
Covid-positive and were
hence physically indisposed,
he would arrange a video
conference with them soon
regarding further steps to be
taken on the COVID-19 sit-
uation in the district.
Tinsukia DC tests virus-positive
Covid-positive woman diesJORHAT, July 19: A COVID-19 positive female patient named
Anju Chetia aged 80, expired yesterday night at the JMCH.
Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Roshni A Korati while in-
forming about the death of the Covid-positive woman, how-
ever, stated that the cause of death of the woman as per the
State Death Audit Board was non-Covid.
The DC informed that cremation of the deceased was done
as per the COVID-19 protocol. Meanwhile, the Jorhat DC
stated that 50 positive cases were found in Jorhat district
today, thereby raising the number of positive cases in the
district to 798. Korati disclosed that out of the 50 people
found positive, 47 did not have travel history and among the
50 positive cases, 17 were from Jorhat town. She said that
among those 17 positive from Jorhat town, 8 did not have
travel history. The DC further stated that the number of ac-
tive cases in the district was 490. – Staff Correspondent
19 new COVID-19 casesdetected in Dhubri dist
CORRESPONDENT
DHUBRI, July 19: After finding 19 new cases in the district,
the total number of Coronavirus infected persons in Dhubri
till the time of filing this report on Saturday was 621.
On Saturday, the total COVID-19 positive cases was 602,
on Friday it was 597 and on Thursday the number of cases
was 583.
According to the COVID-19 checklist, 474 persons had re-
covered and were released. Most of them are presently home
quarantined, leaving 147 active cases.
The Joint Director of Health Services Dr Syed Imdadullah
confirmed that there is no community spread of COVID-19 in
the district as yet and the positive cases are amongst the
migrant labourers and among persons who came in direct
contact with the patients.
He further informed that they had started Rapid Antigen
Test in the district, which was helpful in curbing community
spread. “We get results of these tests within an hour and
accordingly we take the patients for treatment. These tests
are really helping in curbing spread of the pandemic.
On Saturday, we tested around 300 persons following which
30 persons were detected as positive cases in Dhubri dis-
trict”, said Imdadullah.
Till today, the District Health Services along with the dis-
trict administration had collected 42,008 samples in Dhubri
district for COVID-19 tests out of which 40,505 samples were
found to be negative while 913 reports were still awaited.
ANN SERVICE
DHEMAJI, July 19: Even
as COVID-19 cases in Dhe-
maji district were increas-
ing day by day, 8 more cas-
es were confirmed today
after test results showed
their health status, there-
by taking the total number
of active cases to 318 in the
district, official sources
said.
The newly-tested COV-
ID-19 positive persons in
Dhemaji have been identified
as Ansuna Narzary of Sissi-
borgaon, Dhruba Musahari of
Dimou, Dhanuj Pegu of Dhe-
maji, Karabi Chutia of Dhe-
maji Nalanipam, Pranabjyoti
Chutia of Nalanipam,
Kamarendra Kalita of Deka-
pam and Kamal Chutia and D
Kalita of Jayrampur.
Dr Krishna Kemprai, Joint
Director of Health Services
said out of the newly-tested
8 persons, 5 have travel his-
tory while the other 3 who
have no any travel history are
suspected to be infected by
coronavirus through commu-
nity transmission.
Out of the aforementioned
3 persons, Karabi Chutia is a
health worker (ANM) who
had been serving as a nurse
at IDBT quarantine centre,
Telijan as well as Dhemaji En-
gineering College quarantine
centre.
The Joint Director of
Health Services further in-
formed that 272 cases out
of the total 318 positive cas-
es in Dhemaji were dis-
charged from hospitals till
date with the discharge of 3
today, while 2 cases were
referred to the AMCH, Di-
brugarh for better treat-
ment. Hence, 45 active cas-
es remain in Dhemaji Cov-
id Hospital and Silapathar
Model Hospital.
Tests confirm 8 more Covid cases in Dhemaji
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LOCKHORNS
THE PHANTOM ® By Lee Falk
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE
BLONDIE
Know your DAYBy JACQUELINE BIGAR
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Monday, July 20, 2020:
Both adventuresome and practical, this year you experience fewer ups and
downs than usual. Success has your name written all over it. You only need to
beware falling into a slump following your success. If single, fate propels you
toward a soul mate by winter. If attached, your strong existing relationship
moves to a new level of intimacy. For some, a new love can suddenly replace
a stale situation. SAGITTARIUS keeps you on your toes.
The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-
Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)HHHHH It is a wonderful time to redecorate, plan home improvements
and foster a deeper sense of unity with both relatives and members of
your extended family. Genealogical study might uncover some interesting sur-
prises. Tonight: A lively dinner conversation that lasts way into the night.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)HHHH Do not neglect correspondence. Return all calls and answer
emails promptly. Get organized. Commuter travel and multitasking
might be necessary. Yes, you can get everything done. Time passes more
quickly than usual. Tonight: There is no stopping you. All smiles.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)HHH Conversations revolve around business. Focus on what’s prac-
tical. It’s a good day to use common sense and to take a down-to-earth
perspective on what you’re doing. You offer advice and support, but know when
to say enough is enough. Tonight: Do not push yourself too hard.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)HHHHH Today fosters your overall vitality and enthusiasm. Write
your resolutions, schedule appointments and begin projects you have
been interested in. You can set great things in motion. There is a surprise
regarding home and family life. Tonight: Prepare for a change within your home.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)HHHH Today brings out the lone wolf side of your nature. Your
creative talents shine. A walk in nature or time spent in reverie helps
you heal and focus. Use your imagination. Quiet the mind through meditation.
Tonight: Get a good night’s sleep. Lucid dreaming.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)HHHH You work well with a group today, especially if the members
are of like minds. Friends play an important role. Focus on your wishes
and dreams, and make sure they are still compatible with your interests.
Tonight: Catch up with old friends.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)HHHHH A friend provides valuable career tips. You may seek a
position of greater leadership. It is a good day for dealing with the
public. You get a boost in prestige. You get along with fellow workers; you are
sensitive to their needs. Tonight: Relax.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)HHHHH Acquaintances inspire you. Travel is favored, as are jour-
neys of the mind and spirit. If you have always yearned to write, now
is the time to jot down those jokes, stories and poems. Expect an increase in
energy and motivation. Tonight: Burning the midnight oil.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)HHHHH You discover new aptitudes and personal potentials. Ease up
on routines. You are curious and inventive and communicate well. Your
popularity is on the rise. Past life memories might arise from dream analysis and
meditation. Tonight: Worry less about your to-do’s – at least for tonight.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)HH A partner has expectations. A competitive mood prevails. Adapt
and keep the peace. Follow directions; keep records and receipts.
Questions of fairness and legality might have to be addressed. Keep your calm.
Tonight: Treat yourself to a long, soothing bath.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)HHH Today brings new insights about yourself. Adopt a live-and-let-
live attitude toward others. Make few demands, and seek no favors. A
strong sense of competition is present. Negotiate to avoid conflict. A health
challenge can be overcome. Tonight: As you like it.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)HHHH Time seems to move faster today. You will restore stability and
feel more in control. There is time for a romantic encounter or a favorite
leisure activity. Those near you are growing, and with growth comes change.
Tonight: You accept these changes philosophically.
H H H
Thought for the day
I hope I never get so old I get religious.– INGMAR BERGMAN
What is ___, anyway? Just a collective
hunch. – Lily Tomlin (7)
Words: Easel, bride, tootle, dactyl.Answer: What is reality, anyway? Just acollective hunch. – Lily Tomlin
Given below are four jumbled words. Solvethe jumbles to make proper words and movethem to the respective squares below. Selectthe letters in the shaded squares and jumblethem to get the answer for the given quip.
JUMBLED WORDSHEALTH CAPSULES®
by Bron Smith
Health Capsules is not intendedto be of a diagnostic nature.
CROSSWORD - 6950
Across: 1 Ohms, 4 Abroad, 8 Nil, 10 Cask, 13 Veracity,
14 Ashamed, 15 Inches, 17 Remarking, 21 Wok, 22 Etc, 23
Ape, 26 Prohibits, 27 Sweden, 28 Drive-in, 32 Corduroy, 34
Erse, 35 See, 36 Eaglet, 37 User.
Down: 1 Orca, 2 Mush, 3 Five, 5 Baaing, 6 Obi, 7 Dryest,
9 Led, 11 Askew, 12 Kayak, 15 Inch, 16 Hopi, 18 Mote, 19
Kern, 20 Ito, 23 Above, 24 Etuis, 25 Psyche, 26 Peruse, 28
Dos, 29 Ryes, 30 Errs, 31 Near, 33 Rug.
SOLUTION
12:05 India’s Jungle Heroes
13:00 Snakes In The City
15:00 Out There With Jack Randall
16:00 Primal Survivor
17:00 Science Of Stupid
17:50 Mangalyaan
18:45 India’s Mega...
19:05 Snakes In The City
20:00 Monster Fish
21:00 Primal Survivor
22:00 Spotlight: Lost Cities With...
23:00 Banged Up Abroad
23:45 Monster Fish
12:00 How Do Animals Do That?
12:30 The Lion Kingdom
12:55 Animals Unleashed
13:35 Jewels Of The Natural World
14:00 Animal Planet Exclusives
14:45 Fierce 5
15:30 Jewels Of The Natural World
16:00 Crikey! It’s The Irwins
16:50 Big Cat Tales
17:40 Animals Unleashed
18:05 Spy In The Wild
19:00 Animal Planet Exclusives
19:55 Wild Flicks
20:45 World Of Oceans
21:05 One Wild Day
11:00 Assamese news
11:30 Assamese news
12:00 Mid Day Live
13:00 Assamese Feautre film
16:30 Discussion Show (R)
17:30 Guwahati Bisesh
18:00 Guwahati Live
18:30 Breaking @ 6:30
19:00 Assamesse Prime Time
20:00 Discussion Show (R)
21:00 Kotha Barta
21:30 Talk Time
22:00 Live at 10
22:30 Noixo Guwahati
23:00 Noixo Batori
16:00 Upasona
17:00 Devotional Slot
1730 B2B Music
18:00 North East Diva GF
20:00 Rang Blockbuster
23:00 B2B Music
18:30 Vivo IPL HLs
19:00 Cricket Connected
19:30 Vivo IPL HLs
20:00 Cricket Connected
20:30 IPL HLs
21:00 Cricket Connected
21:30 Vivo IPL HLs
22:00 3TC Match HLs
22:30 IPL HLs
23:00 ICC Cricket WC HLs
23:30 Hero ISL HLs
18:30 Vivo IPL HLs
19:00 Cricket Connected
19:30 Vivo IPL HLs
20:00 Cricket COnnected
20:30 IPL HLs
21:00 Cricket COnnected
21:30 Vivo IPL HLs
22:00 3TC Match HLs
22:30 IPL HLs
23:00 ICC Cricket WC HLs
23:30 Football United Special
12:30 Arena eSports
13:30 Champions League
14:00 Whacked Out Sports
14:30 Eng vs WI Test HLs
15:30 Eng vs WI Test Live
22:30 Arena eSports
23:00 Eng vs WI Test HLs
12:30 WWE BlockBusters
15:30 Whacked Out Sports
16:00 WWE BlockBusters
17:30 SCSA Special
18:00 WWE SmackDown
19:00 Whacked Out Sports
20:00 WWE BlockBusters
22:15 SCSA Special
23:00 Serie A Live
12:00 The Amirates FA Cup
14:00 Serie A HLs
12:00 The Lion King
14:40 Singham
15:45 VIP 2: Lalkar
19:55 Baby’s Day Out
22:10 Taarzan: The Wonder Car
11:55 Shikara
14:45 iSmart Shankar
17:20 Thugs of America
19:55 PK
23:30 Mummy
11:40 The Italian Job (2003)
13:25 The Intern
15:15 Journey to the Center of
the Earth
16:50 Blood Diamond
19:05 The Meg
21:00 Edge of Tomorrow
22:50 Shazam!
ZEE CINEMA
23:00 Munna Michael
WB
23:10 House of Wax
HBO
22:50 Shazam!
11:45 Divya Shakti
16:30 Ek Aur Ek Gyarah
20:20 Saathi
12:45 Shahenshah
16:30 Main Khiladi Tu Anar
19:45 Lal Baadshah
22:15 Khoon Ka Rishta
10:00 Sardaar Gabbar Singh12:30 Jumanji: The Next Level14:55 Vivah18:25 Tholi Prema20:45 Geeta Govinda23:00 Munna Michael
12:00 Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain!
15:00 Laal Ishq
23:00 Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain!
12:00 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
14:00 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya
17:00 Mann Ki Awaaz...Pratgya
19:00 Sai Baba
19:30 Ramayan
20:30 Mahabharat Ki Maha
21:30 Devon Ke Dev Mahadev
22:30 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya
12:35 Best Of The Kapil
Sharma Show
19:45 Super Dancer - Chapter 3
21:20 The Kapil Sharma Show
22:45 Times Of Music
23:50 Best Of The Kapil
Sharma Show
15:40 Fear Factor Khatron Ke
Khiladi Darr Ki Class
17:20 Balika Vadhu
21:00 Fear Factor Khatron Ke
Khiladi Darr Ki Class
12:00 Khatra Khatra Khatra
13:40 Kitchen Champion
15:50 Naagin 3
17:00 Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi
18:00 Internet Wala Love
19:00 Faislo Ka Mahasangam
Madhubala & Gathbandhan
20:05 Naagin 3
21:00 Jai Shri Krishna
22:00 Faislo Ka Mahasangam
Madhubala & Gathbandhan
23:10 Khatra Khatra Khatra
12:00 Slender Man
14:00 The New Adventures Of
Aladdin
16:00 Seinfeld
19:00 I Dream Of Jeannie
22:00 Starry Nights Gen Y
SOLUTION TO TRIBUNE CROSSWORD – 6950
13:00 Karz: The Burden of Truth
16:40 Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai
19:55 Kochadaiiyaan The
Legend
22:25 Player Ek Khiladi
11:20 Night at the Museum:
Secret of the Tomb
13:30 The adventures of
Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-
D
15:30 Help, I Shrunk My
Teacher
17:30 Advengers: Infinity War
20:55 Aladdin
Across
1 Electrical units
(4)
4 Overseas (6)
8 Naught (3)
10 Barrel (4)
13 Truthfulness
(8)
14 Red-faced (7)
15 Twelfths of a
foot (6)
17 Commenting,
declaring or
noting (9)
21 Chinese frying
pan (3)
22 And so on (3)
23 Mimic (3)
26 Forbids (9)
27 Kingdom in N
Europe (6)
28 Outdoor theatre
(5-2)
32 A ribbed pile
fabric (8)
34 Irish (4)
35 Behold, look (3)
36 Young raptor (6)
37 Employer (4)
Down
1 A killer whale (4)
2 Mawkish
sentimentality (4)
3 Quintet quorum
(4)
5 Lamb noise (6)
6 A religious belief
of African origin
involving
witchcraft and
sorcery (3)
7 Most arid (6)
9 Guided (3)
11 Crooked (5)
12 Inuit canoe (5)
15 Creep along (4)
16 Mesa dweller (4)
18 Small particle (4)
19 “Show Boat”
composer (4)
20 Skater Midori (3)
23 On high (5)
24 Needle cases (5)
25 Human mind (6)
26 Read over (6)
28 Some parties (3)
29 Deli breads (4)
30 Goes astray (4)
31 Close (4)
33 Small carpet (3)
LEISURE & LIFESTYLE10 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020
14:30 Ultra Trail World Tour HLs
15:00 Impact Wrestling...
18:00 The Emirates FA Cup
18:30 UFC Fight Night
21:30 The Emirates FA Cup
22:00 Football Extraaa
22:30 The Emirates FA Cup Live
12:00 The Emirates FA Cup
12:30 WWE BlockBusters
15:00 The Emirates FA Cup
17:30 SCSA Special
18:00 WWE SmackDown
19:00 India’s Finest
19:45 WWE BlockBusters
22:00 Football Extraaa
22:30 The Emirates FA Cup Live
22:00 Wild Frank
22:55 Just Animals
23:40 Epic Earth
12:35 Ancient Aliens
13:25 Pawn Stars
13:50 Storage Wars
14:15 Modern Marvels-Mega...
15:05 OMG! Yeh Mera India
15:55 Forged In Fire
16:45 Counting Cars
17:10 Storage Wars
17:35 Shipping Wars
18:00 Food Tech
19:00 Monster Motor Challenge
20:00 The Secret History Of The...
21:00 Dynamo Magician...
21:50 Pawn Stars
22:15 Storage Wars
22:40 Battle Factory
23:05 Forged In Fire: Knife Or Death
12:00 Untamed Summer
14:10 Hunter Vs. Hunted
15:00 Animal Fight Club
16:00 Africa’s Wild Side
17:00 When Sharks Attack
18:00 Science of Dogs
19:00 Inside The Pack
20:00 Hunt For The Kill
21:00 Africa’s Deadliest
22:00 Animal Fight Club
23:00 Wild Caribbean’s Deadly...
23:00 The Late Late Show With
James Corden
12:45 Koffee With Karan13:30 Prince Of Persia: The
Sands Of Time15:30 How I Met Your Mother18:00 Last Man Standing
19:00 Homeland
12:30 Kumkum Bhagya Kahani...
13:00 Kundali Bhagya Kahani...
13:30 Tujhse Hai Raabta Kahani...
14:00 Guddan Tumse Na Ho
Payega Kahani Ab Tak
14:30 Qurbaan Hua Kahani Ab Tak
15:00 Pavitra Rishta
17:00 Ra.One
20:00 Guddan Tumse Na Ho
Payega Kahani Ab Tak
20:30 Tujhse Hai Raabta Kahani...
21:00 Kumkum Bhagya Kahani...
21:30 Kundali Bhagya Kahani...
22:00 Qurbaan Hua Kahani Ab Tak
22:30 Queen
23:30 Kumkum Bhagya Kahani...
Actor Adil Hussain is thrilled about his
film Nirvana Inn being screened at the
International Film Festival of South Asia
(IFFSA) in Toronto.
“Happy to announce that
our@NirvanaInnFilm will be screened @iiffsa
Toronto.. So happy that it is quite bit shot in
Majuli, Assam. I play an Assamese Character
called Jogiraj. Along with @sandymridul and
@rajshriartist,” the actor, who hails from
Assam, tweeted.
The movie is about a boatman, Jogiraj
Chakraborthy (Adil Hussain), who acts on his
suicidal thoughts and capsizes his vessel mid-
journey, killing every passenger on board.
Months later, he signs up to be the caretak-
er of Himalayan resort Nirvana Inn, only to
find that the guests who check in are the very
people he presumed dead.
Directed by Vijay Jayapal, the Hindi film
also stars Rajshri Deshpande and Sandhya
Mridul.
IFFSA Toronto showcases a diverse,
language independent films from around the
world, on themes of South Asian cultures and
identities.
Adil film at TorontoAssamese actor Adil Hussain’s new film will be
screened at a Toronto festival
Due to the COVID-19 situation, the festival
is being held online this year. IFFSA Virtual
2020 will take place in August.
Earlier, the critically acclaimed actor who
has been part of many successful movies,
including Ang Lee’s international hit Life Of Pi
says he has never aimed to be at the top.
“Acting is all about embodying another
personality and portraying it in front of a
camera. If one focuses on the craft and goes
deeper into the understanding the art of
acting, the byproducts are inspirational. I have
never aimed to be at the top but have always
aimed to act well instead,” said Adil, who has
featured in Bollywood movies like English
Vinglish, Lootera and Good Newwz.
On nepotism in Bollywood, Adil said: “It
exists in every sphere of life, so does in
Bollywood. If someone does not have merit
and they are being pushed for certain advan-
tages because they are from certain family
then that is nepotism. In India we do not have
the structure in place for the casting of a
particular character unlike west which leads to
nepotism to an extent.”
(Source: IANS)
STAR MOVIES
19:25 The Transporter
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATI 11BUSINESS & ECONOMY
AS per the latest auction sale (No28) of Guwahati Tea Auction Centre(GTAC) held on July 16-18, the totaltea offerings were 1,42,946 packages,out of which 90 per cent was sold.Overall the market witnessed gooddemand with prices remaining aroundlast levels to being occasionally dearer.HUL was the mainstay of the marketalong with support from western In-
dian buyers and TCPL. Exporters also lent good support.
Dinesh Bihani
Secretary, Guwahati Tea Auction
Buyers Association (GTABA)
Top garden prices
BOP Price BOPSM/BP Price OF/PF Price
HALMARI 536 HALMARI 500 HOOKMOL 451
DUBBA 446 HOOKMOL 471 HAROOCHARAI 406
KHONGEA 440 SOTAI 431 NAMROOP 401
HOOKMOL 401 GATOONGA 431 BORMAHJAN 400
KOOMTAI 400 DUBBA 426 HIRAJULI 395
NEW DELHI, July 19: At least sevenIndian pharma companies are workingto develop a vaccine against coronavi-rus as they join global efforts to find apreventive to check the spread of thedeadly virus that has already infectedmore than 14 million globally.
Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute, Zy-dus Cadila, Panacea Biotec, Indian Immu-nologicals, Mynvax and Biological E areamong the domestic pharma firms work-ing on the coronavirus vaccines in India.
Vaccines normally require years oftesting and additional time to produceat scale, but scientists are hoping to de-velop a coronavirus vaccine withinmonths because of the pandemic.
Bharat Biotech has received approvalto conduct phase I and II clinical trial forits vaccine candidate Covaxin, that hasbeen developed and manufactured in the
7 Indian pharma cos in race to develop COVID-19 vaccinecompany’s facility in Hyderabad. It lastweek started human clinical trials.
Leading vaccine major Serum Instituteof India has said that it is hoping to devel-op a COVID-19 vaccine by the year-end.
“At present, we are working on theAstraZeneca Oxford vaccine which is un-dergoing phase III clinical trials. In addi-tion to this, we will also start humantrials in India in August 2020. Based onthe current situation and most recentupdates on the clinical trials, we are hop-ing that the AstraZeneca Oxford vac-cine will be available towards the end ofthis year,” Serum Institute of India CEOAdar Poonawalla told PTI.
The company is also developing a liveattenuated vaccine with US-based bio-tech firm Codagenix, which is undergo-ing pre-clinical trials, he added.
“Apart from AstraZeneca Oxford vac-
cine and Codagenix, we have associatedwith multiple institutions worldwide asmanufacturing partners for vaccine can-didates that are being developed. Theseinclude Austria’s Themis along with twoothers,” Poonawalla said.
On the partnership with AstraZeneca,Poonawalla said: “Serum Institute of Indiahas entered a manufacturing partnershipwith AstraZeneca to produce and supply1 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccinebeing developed by Oxford University.”
These vaccines will be for India andmiddle and low income countries acrossthe world (GAVI countries), he added.
Pharma major Zydus Cadila has saidthat it is looking to complete clinical tri-als of its COVID-19 vaccine candidateZyCoV-D in seven months.
The company had last week startedclinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine
candidate with the first human dosing.Depending on the study outcomes and
if the data is encouraging and the vaccineis found to be effective during the trials, itcould take a total of seven months for thetrials to be completed and for the vaccineto be launched, Zydus Cadila ChairmanPankaj R Patel said in a statement.
Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech lastweek started human trials of its vaccineCovaxin at Rohtak’s Post-Graduate In-stitute of Medical Sciences.
The phase I and II clinical trials of thevaccine for SARS-CoV-2 by Bharat Bio-tech have been approved by the Indian drugregulator after pre-clinical studies demon-strated safety and immune response.
The company has developed the vac-cine in collaboration with the IndianCouncil of Medical Research (ICMR) andthe National Institute of Virology (NIV).
Panacea Biotec in June said that it wassetting up a joint venture firm in Irelandwith US-based Refana Inc to develop avaccine for COVID-19.
The company in partnership withRefana aims to manufacture over 500million doses of COVID-19 candidatevaccine, with over 40 million doses ex-pected to be available for delivery earlynext year, Panacea Biotec had said.
Indian Immunologicals, a subsidiaryof National Dairy Development Board(NDDB), has inked an agreement withAustralia’s Griffith University to devel-op a vaccine for coronavirus.
Others like Mynvax and Biological Eare also working to develop vaccines forCOVID-19.
Vaccines typically provide the immunesystem with harmless copies of an anti-gen: a portion of the surface of a bacteri-
um or virus that the immune systemrecognises as foreign. A vaccine may alsoprovide a non-active version of a toxin apoison produced by a bacterium so thatthe body can devise a defence against it.They must follow higher safety stand-ards than other drugs because they aregiven to millions of healthy people.
Vaccine testing is a four-stage process –pre-clinical testing on animals, phase I clin-ical testing on a small group of people todetermine its safety and to learn more aboutthe immune response it provokes, phaseII trials are expanded safety trials, and phaseIII testing is done by administering it tothousands of people to confirm its efficacy.
Globally, the World Health Organisa-tion (WHO) is tracking around 140 vac-cine candidates, of which around twodozen are in various phases of humanclinical trials. – PTI
WASHINGTON, July 19: The next10 years is going to be India’s “gold-en moment” in key sectors like tech-nology, pharmaceutical, e-commerceand manufacturing, said a top venturecapitalist from Silicon Valley, pointingat the $20-billion foreign direct in-vestment in the country amidst thecoronavirus outbreak.
“Coronavirus is sweeping theworld, especially the US and India.In spite of that, the amount of in-vestment going into India is mind-boggling,” Silicon Valley’s top ven-ture capitalist, entrepreneur andphilanthropist MR Rangaswami toldPTI in an interview.
India has received foreign directinvestment of over $20 billion in thelast few months during the corona-
Next 10 years will be India’s golden moment in keysectors, says Silicon Valley venture capitalist
virus pandemic, which has had an ad-verse affect on businesses across theworld, apart from the over-6-lakhlives the infection has claimed so far.
“I think the next 10 years is thegolden moment for India to shine;using digital and technology – wheth-er it’s medicine, telemedicine, e-commerce, logistics – in every seg-ment of the market. Whether it’s akirana (local grocery) shop, every-thing is going to be digital. It is thegolden moment that India shouldseize,” Rangaswami, the softwarebusiness expert said.
Referring to the series of FDIinto India post-COVID-19 outbreak,Rangaswami said it is unprecedent-ed by any standards.
Prominent investments include
$10 billion from Google, $5.7 billionfrom Facebook, $1.2 billion fromWalmart and $1 billion from Foxconn.
“I think there will be many, manymore deals this year. You’ll see a lotmore companies coming in, a lotmore money coming in. A lot moreinvestments,” he said.
“Amazon (e-commerce company)continues to invest in India. Othercompanies are looking at India now.Private equity guys are looking atIndia. Sovereign funds will be look-ing at India. Definitely India is go-ing to be the hot destination fortechnology money,” Rangaswamisaid in response to a question.
He noted that the current Presi-dent Donald Trump-led administra-tion’s anti-China sentiment is also
helping India bag big investment.Relations between the US and Chi-
na have spiralled downward afterWashington criticised the Asian pow-erhouse’s handling of the COVID-19pandemic. The US has questioned anew national security law in HongKong, treatment of Uyghur Muslimsand security measures in Tibet.
“This gives India an opportunityfor an economic game-changer. Ithink it’s predicated by two things.The number of smartphone users(in India) is over 500 million, may-be even close to a billion. Second,the government’s push for digitalcombined with COVID-19 out-break, which has taken (number of)digital transactions through theroof,” said Rangaswami, a keen ob-
server of the Indian market.He said the entire business eco-
system is adopting new technolo-gies like never before – which notonly provides easy solutions in busi-ness but also is a market in itself.
“On the ground (during the coro-navirus outbreak), everybody isforced to go digital. This is a hugetipping point. So, this is an opportu-nity I want to see India seize andnot let it go to waste,” he said.
“So, what I would request is Indi-an ministers, key bureaucrats andtechnology industry leaders put to-gether a roadmap, set of regulationsand authorisations so that companiescan come in easily. We (must) avoidall the problems of privacy, securityin the future,? he said. – PTI
First set of pvt trains to beintroduced by 2023: Rlys
A boy passes time at a wholesale rakhi shop, during Unlock 2.0, at Dharavi in Mumbai,on Sunday. Residents of Dharavi, a containment zone, are barely coming out to shopahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival amid the coronavirus pandemic. – PTI
NEW DELHI, July 19: The first set of 12private trains will be introduced in 2023, fol-lowed by 45 more in the next fiscal, accord-ing to an initial timeline drawn by the Rail-ways which plans to roll out all 151 such trainservices by 2027, officials said.
In a formal kick-start toits plans to allow privateentities to operate passen-ger trains on its network,the Railways earlier thismonth invited proposalsfrom companies to run 151 modern passen-ger trains on 109 pairs of routes across thecountry. The project would entail a privatesector investment of about Rs 30,000 crore.
As part of the plan for private trains, theRailways has planned to introduce 12 trainsin 2022-23, 45 in 2023-2024, 50 in 2025-26and 44 more in the next fiscal, taking the totalnumber of trains to 151 by the end of FY2026-2027.
The request for qualification (RFQ), whichwas floated on July 8, is likely to be finalised
All of 151 suchservices by 2027
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman participating in the 3rd meeting of G20 FinanceMinisters to discuss global economic outlook amid evolving COVID-19 crisis and other G20 Finance Track deliverablesfor 2020, through video-conferencing, in New Delhi on Saturday. – PIB
by November, the financial bids will be openedby March, 2021 and selection of bidders isplanned by April 31, 2021, according to a time-line for introduction of private passenger trainsprepared by the Railways.
Bidders quoting the highest share in grossrevenue shall be awardedthe project, officials said.
“We have worked out aplan by which we hope tobegin private train opera-tions. Tenders will be fi-
nalised by March 2021 and trains will operatefrom March, 2023,” a senior official said.
The Railways has said that 70 per cent ofthe private trains will be manufactured in In-dia which will be designed for a maximumspeed of 160 kmph.
There would be a reduction in journey timeby around 10-15 per cent at 130 kmph andaround 30 per cent at 160 kmph. The runningtime taken by a train shall be comparable toor faster than the fastest train of Indian Rail-ways operating in the respective route. – PTI
NEW DELHI, July 19: Theongoing pandemic has hitevery sector of the Indianeconomy hard and the retailtrade in the country has lostabout Rs 15.5-lakh crore inthe past 100 days.
In a statement, the Confed-eration of All India Traders(CAIT) said that the tradersacross the country are highlydepressed because of very min-imal footfall of the consumers,considerable absence of em-ployees, facing the highest fi-nancial crunch and yet have tomeet many financial obligations.
“No support policy from
India’s retail trade losesRs 15-lakh cr in 100 days: CAIT
the Central or State govern-ment is yet another crucialfactor which is haunting thetraders,” it said.
Praveen Khandelwal, Sec-retary General of CAIT todaysaid that the domestic trade inthe country is passing throughits worst period in the currentcentury which reflects that ifimmediate steps are not tak-en, about 20 per cent of theshops in India will have to closedown their shutters.
As per inputs availablefrom the traders across thecountry, CAIT said that thereis footfall of only 10 per cent
of the consumers so far postthe unlock period which hasaffected greatly the daily turn-over of the traders. As perthe traders’ body, at this cru-cial time, handholding of trad-ers is all the more required.
A financial mechanismneeds to be crafted to awardbusiness loans to traders andrelaxation in payment of taxesand extension in repaymentperiod of bank loans, EMIswithout any further interest orpenalty is also required to pro-vide financial liquidity in thehands of the traders to revivebusiness activities. – IANS
MahindraFinance posts
Rs 156-crQ1 profit
MUMBAI, July 19: Mahi-ndra and Mahindra FinancialServices has reported morethan two-fold jump in stan-dalone net profit to Rs 156crore in the quarter endingJune helped by cost rational-isation measures and lowerfunding cost.
It had reported a profit af-ter tax of Rs 68 crore in thesame quarter of last year.
On a consolidated basis, thelender reported a profit af-ter tax of Rs 432 crore dur-ing the quarter as against Rs108 crore last year.
“The increase in profit wasdue to cost rationalisation,reduction in overall cost ofborrowing and also rise inNPAs was not high,” Mahin-dra Finance Vice-Chairmanand MD Ramesh Iyer said.
He said April and Maywere no-activity months andthe entire disbursementshappened in June.
The total value of assets fi-nanced for the quarter endedJune stood at Rs 3,489 croreas against Rs 10,598.3 crorelast year in the same period.
The company expects anincrease in demand and financ-ing for pre-owned vehicles,agri machinery (tractors) andsmall vehicles going ahead.
“We have seen a revival intractor demand and sales ofthree-wheeler goods carriers.We feel that rural sentimentsare turning positive as monsoonis on time...,” Iyer said. – PTI
NEW DELHI, July 19: Amid spurt in COV-ID-19 cases in the country, Corona Kavach healthinsurance policy has evoked good responsewithin days of its launch by almost all insurers.
Corona Kavach is a standard health insur-ance policy created to meet the treatmentrequirements for coronavirus.
The term of the policy ranges from three-and-a-half months to nine-and-a-half months,with maximum insured amount at Rs 5 lakh.
The Insurance Regulatory and DevelopmentAuthority of India (IRDAI) has given a greensignal to all general and health insurers to launchCorona Kavach policy to cover medical ex-penses of the COVID-19 positive patients.
“The response has been tremendous as peo-ple are quite eager to buy these plans. Sincethese plans have gone live on the PolicyBa-zaar’s website, the company has been selling300-500 policies per day,” said Amut Chhabra,Head - Health Insurance, Policybazaar.com.
Corona Kavach policy evokesgood response: Insurers
Most customers buying these plans areyoung individuals, he said, adding that “thepolicies are very much affordable like Rs 208monthly, which is a fairly cheap amount.”
Subramanyam Brahmajosyula, Head, Un-derwriting and Reinsurance, SBI General In-surance Company, said the provision to coverother members of the immediate family un-der the family floater option and home caretreatment expenses are some of the featureswhich are generating considerable interest.
Subrata Mondal, Executive Vice-President(Underwriting), IFFCO Tokio General Insur-ance, said there has been a very good re-sponse for the COVID-19-specific productsthat were launched just a week back. “Major-ity of insured are preferring nine-and-a-halfmonths tenure. This indicates that people, ingeneral, are expecting the current pandemic tolast for some more time. Nearly 40 per centopted for hospitalisation cash,” he said. – PTI
NEW DELHI, July 19: In-dia’s drug regulator has soughta clarification from GlenmarkPharmaceuticals over its al-leged “false claims” about theuse of anti-viral FabiFlu onCOVID-19 patients with co-morbidities and also over the“pricing” of the drug, afterreceiving a complaint from aMember of Parliament.
In a letter to the Mumbai-based company, Drugs Control-ler General of India (DCGI) DrVG Somani stated that his of-fice received a representationfrom an MP that the total cost
DCGI asks Glenmark toclarify on FabiFlu claim
of the treatment with FabiFlu(favipiravir) will be around Rs12,500 and that the”cost pro-posed by Glenmark is definite-ly not in the interest of the poor,lower middle class and middle-class people of India.”
“Further it has been men-tioned in the representationthat Glenmark has also claimedthat this drug is effective in co-morbid conditions like hyper-tension, diabetics, whereas inreality, as per protocol summa-ry, this trial was not designedto assess the FabiFlu in comor-bid condition,” the letter dated
July 17 read. No clinically suffi-cient data specific to these con-ditions is available, the DCGIsaid in its letter.
The ‘subject’ of the letterwas stated as: “Regarding thefalse claims and pricing of tabFabiFlu 200 mg (favipiravir) byGlenmark PharmaceuticalsLtd, India”. “In view of this, youare requested to provide yourclarification on the above pointsfor taking further necessary ac-tion in the matter,” he said.
There was no immediatecomment from the compa-ny. – PTI
Canara Bank toraise up to
Rs 5,000 cr equitycapital in FY21
NEW DELHI, July 19:State-run Canara Bank willraise up to Rs 5,000 croreequity capital through variousmodes in the current fiscalyear to boost its capital ade-quacy ratio in view of expan-sion plans, and will seek nodfrom shareholders for thesame in its AGM next month.
In view of certain expansionplans of the bank, the imple-mentation of Basel III norms,and consequent capitalcharge, there is a need to in-crease the capital to furtherstrengthen the capital adequa-cy ratio, Canara Bank said inits annual report for 2019-20.
The bank will seek share-holders’ nod at the annualgeneral meeting (AGM) tobe held on August 10 throughaudio/visual means in view ofthe coronavirus pandemic.
The Bengaluru-headquar-tered lender, which amalga-mated Syndicate Bank intoitself with effect from April1, 2020, has Rs 1,030.23 croreas equity capital currently andits capital adequacy ratiostood at 13.65 per cent as onMarch 31, 2020, well abovethe regulatory requirementof 10.875 per cent.
“In order to shore the bank’stier I capital, the board of direc-tors of the bank has decided toraise capital to the extent of Rs5,000 crore through variousmodes including follow-on is-sue, right issue, preferential is-sue to government and finan-cial institutions, QIP and otherpermitted mode of raising cap-ital,” Canara Bank said in theannual report for FY20.
In its previous AGM in July2019, the bank had sought per-mission from shareholders forraising up to Rs 6,000 crore asfresh equity capital throughvarious means including a QIP.
However, the bank said it didnot raise capital through any ofthe modes approved by theshareholders, while the gov-ernment infused equity capitalworth Rs 6,571 crore in lieu ofpreferential allotment of shareson December 4, 2019.
In his message to share-holders amidst the globalpandemic, Managing Direc-tor & CEO LV Prabhakarsaid the outlook at this junc-ture remains uncertain giv-en the depth of economicimplications of the ongoingpandemic wave. – PTI
12 THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, GUWAHATISPORTS
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020
Printed and published by Ganesh Ch. Das on behalf of Assam Tribune Pvt. Ltd. at the Tribune Press, Tribune Buildings, P.O.- Assam Tribune, M.R.D. Road, Chandmari, Guwahati-781003. Tel. 0361-2660102 (EPABX), 0361-2661360, 0361-2668807 (News Desk), FAX 0361-2666396. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]. Editor: Prafulla Govinda Baruah
BCCI hope for deferment of T20 WCDUBAI, July 19: On hold
for the past two months, the
fate of this year’s T20 World
Cup will be up for a decisive
round of deliberation when
the ICC board meets virtu-
ally on Monday with the
BCCI hoping for a postpone-
ment to ensure that the IPL
can go ahead.
The global event is sup-
posed to be held from Octo-
ber 18 to November 15 in
Australia but the country’s
cricket board had, in May it-
self, expressed its inability to
host amid a second surge of
COVID-19 cases in the state
of Victoria.
With India’s case load also
exceeding the 10 lakh mark,
including more than 26,000
deaths, the IPL, if it is held,
is likely to move to the UAE
once the central government
gives its go ahead.
“The first step was post-
ponement of Asia Cup, which
has happened. We can only
start to move ahead with our
plans after the ICC announc-
es the postponement. They
have been sitting on the de-
cision even after Cricket Aus-
tralia said that they are not
too keen on hosting the
event,” a BCCI Apex Coun-
cil member told PTI on con-
ditions of anonymity.
This year’s T20 World Cup
will likely be held in Austral-
ia in 2022 as India doesn’t
want to swap its 2021 host-
ing rights with Cricket Aus-
tralia as of now.
That Australia won’t be
hosting the mega event was
clear after the cricket board
told its players to prepare for
a white-ball series against
England scheduled for late
September.
CA has even announced a
26-strong preliminary squad
for that tour.
The ICC, on its part, has
maintained that it wants to
explore all possible “contin-
gency” options before taking
a call of such immense mag-
nitude. And it is not unusual
for the governing body to
wait this long. – PTI
Atalanta held 1-1 at Verona,Milan routs Bologna 5-1
MILAN, July 19: Atalanta’s push for second spot was ham-
pered by a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona in Serie A.
Duvn Zapata took advantage of a mistake to give Atalanta
the lead in the 50th minute but Matteo Pessina who is on loan
from Atalanta levelled nine minutes later.
The result left Atalanta level on 71 points with second-
place Inter Milan, which visits Roma. Italian league leader
Juventus has a six-point advantage and hosts fourth-place Lazio
on Monday. An emphatic AC Milan performance saw it humil-
iate Bologna 5-1 to strengthen its chances of qualifying for the
Europa League. Alexis Saelemaekers and Ismal Bennacer
both scored their first goals for Milan and Takehiro Tomiyasu
did so for Bologna. – AP
Saba Karimasked ‘to resign’
NEW DELHI, July 19:
Former India wicket-keeper
Saba Karim has been asked
to resign from the post of
BCCI General Manager -
Cricket Operations.
The 52-year-old Karim,
who played one Test and 34
ODIs for India, was appointed
by the BCCI in December
2017. The Board has not is-
sued a formal statement on the
matter but it is learnt that it
was not satisfied with Karim’s
planning for domestic cricket.
“Yes, he has been asked to
resign. One of the reasons for
that is that he was not able to
prepare any tangible action plan
for domestic cricket (in the
wake of COVID-19 pandem-
ic),” a BCCI source told PTI.
Domestic cricket is unlikely
to start before December with
the COVID-19 cases continu-
ing to rise in the country. – PTI
Originating from Japan,
‘su do ku’ is a mind game
and a puzzle that can be
solved with proper
reasoning and logic. Fill
the grid with digits in such
a manner that every row,
every column and every
3 x 3 box accommodates
the digits 1 to 9 without
repeating any.
Solution of last problem
SU DO KU BWF puts four-term limiton president’s role
NEW DELHI, July 19: The Badminton World Federation (BWF)
has placed a four-term limit on its president’s position besides
approving the introduction of “geographical and gender represen-
tation” in its Council during the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
During its virtual AGM staged in Copenhagen on Saturday,
the BWF membership approved changes to the constitution
ensuring “at least 30 per cent of each gender on Council and
among the representatives from each continental region.”
The decision was in line with the International Olympic
Committee (IOC)’s recent directive to its National Olympic
Committees (NOCs) to maintain gender equality in decision-
making positions by 2020. – PTI
Zidane caps title campaign byignoring out-of-favour Bale
BARCELONA, July 19: Gareth Bale has been left out of
Real Madrid’s squad for its final Spanish league match in the
latest setback for the Wales star who is out of favor with club
manager Zinedine Zidane. Bale played an important role in
helping Madrid to win four Champions League titles after the
Spanish powerhouse set the then world-transfer record of
100 million euros to Tottenham in 2013.
But Bale’s role in the team declined in recent seasons, and he
has become the center of long-standing transfer speculation. His
almost complete absence from Madrid’s impressive march to this
season’s Spanish league title will likely only stoke those rumours
that his stint in Spain’s capital is approaching its end. – AP
‘Bumrah is hardest to faceamong India bowlers’
NEW DELHI, July 19: He has played just one Test against
India but Australian swift-riser Marnus Labuschagne is quite
confident of “staying a step ahead” of the world-class attack come
December even though Jasprit Bumrah is “hard to get past”.
A rookie Labuschagne had played one Test against India in Syd-
ney during the 2018-19 series and the eagerly-awaited four-match
series in December will be an acid test for the fast-rising batsman
after his stellar initiation to longest format of the game. “They are
all good bowlers but it is hard to get past Jasprit Bumrah,” the 26-
year-old told PTI in an exclusive interview from Brisbane. – PTI
Sam Curran of England celebrates after taking the wicket of Shai Hope of West Indies with histeammates during day four of the 2nd Test at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday.
Brathwaite, Brookslead West Indies innings
Campbell lbw b Curran 12, ASJoseph c Pope b Bess 32, SD Hopec Buttler b Curran 25, SSJ Brooksnot out 60, RL Chase not out 8.Extras: (lb 11, nb 2, w 2) 15. Total:(For 4 wickets in 76 over) 227.Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-70, 3-123,4-199. Bowling: SCJ Broad 16-3-59-0, CR Woakes 16-6-41-0, SMCurran 13-3-35-2, DM Bess 19-3-59-1, JE Root 1-1-0-0, BA Stokes11-3-22-1. – Agencies
SCORECARD (at tea)England 1st innings:Total: (For 9 wkt) 469 decl.West Indies 1st innings: KCBrathwaite c & b Stokes 75, JD
MANCHESTER, July 19:
West Indies reached tea on
the fourth day on 227 for four
in its first innings in reply to
England’s 469 for 9 declared.
KC Brathwaite (75) and SSJ
Brooks (60 n.o) led the visi-
tor’s innings with solid batting.
At lunch West Indies were
118 for two as England
searched desperately for wick-
ets to give itself a chance at a
series-levelling victory after
Day 3 was washed out.