By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday said that the Covid-19 situation in the UT is very much under control and all the requirements are available in sufficient quantity.

While talking  to KNO, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar said that in every hospital of Jammu and Kashmir there is a sufficient quantity of oxygen, medicines and beds available to treat the patients.

Rajan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary to Government Industries and Commerce department, who is head of the high level to ensure adequate and timely supply of medical oxygen to all hospitals said that as of now only half of the available oxygen supply is being utilized in the UT and the situation is under control besides that oxygen is even supplied to the industries that have been allowed to get the supply as per MHA guidelines.

“I am taking hourly stock of the situation to ensure adequate and timely supply of medical oxygen to all hospitals for meeting the requirement of Covid patients,” he said.

Top health officials said that several oxygen plants are being installed which are near completion to further boost the oxygen supply in J&K.

“Oxygen plants of over 1000 LPM at various district hospital is near completion which will further enhance oxygen supply in J&K,” they said.

Medical Superintendent at JVC Bemina Dr Shifa Deva said  that as of now, there is adequate oxygen supply and other things at the hospital and if the need arises rest will be done accordingly.

She said that one oxygen plant with a capacity of 750 litres per minute is functional and another plant with the same capacity is expected to get complete this week which will further strengthen the supply.

Nodal officer for Covid-19 at JLNM hospital Srinagar Dr Bilqees Shah said that at present a plant with a capacity of 350 litres per minute is functional at the hospital besides that another plant with capacity of 3000 litres per minute is about to get complete.

She said that one portion of the under-construction plant with the capacity of 1000 litres per minute is complete and as of now there is adequate oxygen supply in the hospital.

Principal GMC Anantnag Showkat Jeelani said at present we have 1300 LPM oxygen supply available and a plant of 2000 more LPM is near completion and will get completed in one week.

J&K government in October last year had said that they will spend Rs 212 crore for augmenting medical oxygen supply in health care institutes across the UT.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Professor Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University, has been admitted to SKIMS Soura, days after testing positive for the covid-19, official sources said on Thursday.

They said that Talat is suffering from bilateral covid pneumonia and was admitted to SKIMS Soura where his condition is now stated to be stable.

Dr G H Yatoo, Nodal Officer coronavirus control measures at SKIMS Soura, told GNS that professor Talat Ahmad was admitted around 9 p.m. last night with “bilateral pneumonia.”

“His condition is stable,” Dr Yatoo, added.  Sources said that oxygen saturation of Talat Ahmad fell last night and was immediately shifted to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Power Development Department and government spokesman Rohit Kansal tested positive for covid-19. “After dodging the Coronavirus for the entire last year, I have tested positive today; have some symptoms- but my spirits are high,” he said in a tweet. (GNS)

New Delhi: India reported the world’s highest-ever single-day surge with 3,14,835 new cases, pushing the total infections to 1,59,30,965, Union Health Ministry data reported on Thursday.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (USCDC), the new cases are the highest single-day rise reported anywhere in the world. The highest yet for the USA was +3,13,310 on January 8, 2021.

In yet another record, 2,104 deaths were reported in the past 24 hrs, taking the overall death toll to 1,84,657.

With 1,78,841 patients having treated since Wednesday, the total number of recoveries now stands at 1,34,54,880. The country currently has 22,91,428 active cases.

States like Maharashtra reported 67.5k new cases, Uttar Pradesh 33.1k, Delhi 24.6k, Karnataka 23.6k in one day.

In view of the continuous surge in infection cases, The Maharashtra government has announced fresh restrictions on office attendance, marriage ceremonies and travel. The new set of restrictions will come into effect from 2000 hrs on Thursday and will remain in force until 0700 hrs on May 1. Goa also decided to impose a night curfew till April 30 to tackle the pandemic.

Meanwhile, several small hospitals in Delhi struggled to replenish oxygen supply for coronavirus patients on Thursday morning, even as some big healthcare facilities received fresh stock overnight.

Hospitals in the city have been grappling with a shortage of oxygen supply amid spiralling COVID-19 cases. The Delhi High Court had on Wednesday night ordered the Centre to “forthwith” provide oxygen by whatever means to hospitals here facing shortage of the gas in treating serious COVID-19 patients.

Despite the rising number of cases, polling is underway in West Bengal, which registered its highest-ever single-day spike, with 9,819 people testing positive.

In other news, twenty-four Covid-19 patients died at a hospital run by the Nashik Municipal Corporation on Wednesday after oxygen supply was disrupted due to a leakage in the main oxygen storage tank.

On the vaccination front, total 13,23,30,644 people have been administered COVID-19 jabs since January 16, with 22,11,334 people being inoculated since yesterday.

Presently, India is accounting for 40 per cent of world’s infections

Jammu: Taking note of the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board on Thursday decided to temporarily suspend registrations for this year’s Shree Amarnath Yatra.

It was also noted that government has taken a large number of measures to reduce the spread of infection through night curfews, 50 percent reductions in shop opening, 50 percent restrictions on public transport passengers, closure of schools and colleges, etc.

Considering the evolving situation across the country and Union territory alike, it was decided to defer registrations for the Amarnath Yatra 2021.

It was informed that the situation is being constantly monitored and the registrations will reopen once the COVID spread is reviewed as the situation evolves.

The Board had commenced registrations on April 1, and the arrangements were on track since February, 2021 for a successful conduct of the pilgrimage which is expected to start from June 28, 2021.

The decision has been taken to check any unnecessary gatherings.

Seeks Centre’s response to logistical support for oxygen, drug movement

New Delhi: As various state governments scamper for oxygen supplies and essential drugs for Covid-19 patients, the Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s response on coordination of logistical support for inter-state and intra-state transportation and distribution of oxygen and essential drugs.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and S. Ravindra Bhat, said: “The situation in various parts of the country is grim. There seems to be a sudden surge in the number of Covid patients and mortality.”

The bench noted that drugs, oxygen and vaccination availability and distribution must be done in an even-handed manner according to the advice of the health authorities which undoubtedly take into account relevant factors like severity, susceptibility, the number of people affected and the local availability of resources.

“We expect the Central government to place before this Court a national plan for dealing with the above services and supplies during pandemic,” the top court said in its order.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice observed: “The present situation is like national emergency.”

The bench added: “In these circumstances, we direct that notices be issued to the Union government, the state Governments/Union Territories and the parties, who appeared to have approached the High Courts to show cause why uniform orders be not passed by this Court in relation to a) Supply of oxygen; b) Supply of essential drugs; c) Method and manner of vaccination; and d) Declaration of lockdown.”

The top court sought a report from Centre on the existence and requirement of setting up of a coordinating body that would consider allocation of resources in a consultative manner (with the involvement of states and Union Territories concerned).

“Considering declaration of essential medicines and medical equipment including the above articles as essential commodities in relation to Covid. In respect of coordination of logistical support for inter-state and intra-state transportation and distribution of the above resources,” said the top court, seeking Centre’s response.

The top court also noted that High Courts across the country are hearing petitions in connection with crisis of oxygen supply, hospital beds and shortage of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir in hospitals.

The bench noted that six High Courts — Delhi, Bombay, Sikkim, MP, Calcutta and Allahabad — were dealing with issues related with Covid management and it was creating confusion.

“The High Courts have passed certain orders which may have the effect of accelerating and prioritising the services to a certain set of people and slowing down the availability of these resources to certain other groups whether the groups are local, regional or otherwise,” said the top court.

It also appointed senior advocate Harish Salve as amicus curiae in the matter.

The bench will continue with hearing on the matter on Friday.

Jammu: Former Jammu and Kashmir Minister on Thursday died of suspected Covid-19 in Rajouri district.

Official sources said that the administration has ordered cremation of the deceased as per the laid down Covid-19 SOPs.

He said that the deceased, a resident of Kewal, Budhal in Kotranka sub-division, had recently returned from a religious congregation at Haridwar and since then, he was not keeping well.

“He was taken to a hospital in Punjab but died on way,” the official said.

He said that body has been brought to GMC Associated Hospital Rajouri where further arrangements are made to conduct cremation as per SOPs.

By: Arul Louis

New York:  Warning that the Covid-19 pandemic is a grim reminder of the dangers of climate change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced a global initiative in cooperation with the US to mobilise investments for the greening of the world and promote collaboration to fight global warming.

“Humanity is battling a global pandemic right now and this event is a timely reminder that the grave threat of climate change has not disappeared,” he said at the Leaders Summit on Climate Change convened by President Joe Biden.

“President Biden and I are launching the India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership. Together we will help mobilise investments, demonstrate clean technology and enable green collaboration.”

Leaders of 40 countries are participating in the summit. They include Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia, with whom Biden has an increasingly hostile relationship, but they have put aside their difference in the climate cause.

Biden said: “The signs are unmistakable (of climate change dangers). The science is undeniable. The cost of inaction keeps mounting. The United States isn’t waiting. We are resolving to take action.”

Biden said that the US would cut its greenhouse emissions from the 2005 level by half by 2030.

He announced the first US Climate Finance Plan to promote public sector “to increase the quality and quantity of climate financing” and spur the private sector to contribute to developing countries’ programmes.

He said that the global goal was mobilising $100 billion per year for developing countries to meet the climate challenge.

To help meet this goal, he said that the US will double by 2024 “our annual public climate development finance to developing countries compared to what we were providing during the second half of Obama-Biden administration”.

The US will also “triple our financing for climate application for developing countries by 2024”.

Calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies, he said he said that it was important to “help developing countries leapfrog to the clean technologies of tomorrow”.

In a subtle dig at the hypocrisy of Western leaders, media and activists who paint India as the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter and demand it cut down emissions, Modi pointed out that each Indian’s greenhouse gas footprint is 60 per cent lower than the world average.

“It is because of our lifestyle is still rooted in sustainable, traditional practices,” he said.

“Today I want to emphasise the importance of lifestyle change in climate action, sustainable lifestyle changes and guiding philosophy of back to basics,” he added.

Modi said that India was doing its part to fight climate change. “Our ambitious renewable energy target of 450 gigawatts by 2030 shows our commitment. Despite our development challenges we have taken many bold steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, afforestation and biodiversity.”

“That is why we are among the few countries whose NDCs (nationally determined contributions to the Paris Climate Agreement goals) are 2 degrees Celsius compatible,” Modi said.

“Climate change is a lived reality for millions around the world. Their lives, their livelihoods are already facing its adverse consequences,” he said.

India has encouraged global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Modi added.

“As climate resposnsible developing country, India welcomes partners to create templates of sustainable development in India. This can also help other development countries who need affordable acess to green finance and clean technology,” he said.

Modi was the second non-US leader to speak after Xi at the virtual conference.

Xi said that China was making extraordinary efforts like ending coal power generation in order to reach its cimate change goals.

New Delhi: Expressing concerned at the continuous increase in Covid cases in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced cancellation of his visit to West Bengal on Friday for a string of rallies.

“Tomorrow, I will be chairing high-level meetings to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation. Due to that, I would not be going to West Bengal,” the Prime Minister said, in a tweet.

As per party sources, Prime Minister Modi was supposed to address four rallies in West Bengal on Friday.

“As per the original schedule, two of these rallies were planned at Malda and Murshidabad on April 22 and the other two rallies scheduled in Bolpur and Kolkata on April 24. Concerned with the prevailing Covid situation, all four rallies by Modiji were rescheduled on April 23. Now, as per the Prime Minister’s tweet, he is not coming to Bengal tomorrow,” a West Bengal BJP leader said.

On Monday, the BJP had decided not to hold big rallies in West Bengal and announced that it would instead hold small public meetings of not more than 500 people to be addressed by Prime Minister Modi and senior central leaders. In a statement, the BJP had said that all these small public meetings will be organised in open spaces following all the Covid guidelines.

“Assembly polls in West Bengal are going on and the completion of this constitutional and democratic process is also very important. Keeping this in mind, BJP chief J.P. Nadda, has decided that only in West Bengal, small public meetings of all the central leaders including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held in which not more than 500 persons will be allowed to attend,” the BJP said in a statement.

Srinagar: Rains continued to lash plains while upper reaches including the world famous skiing resort of Gulmarg received snowfall, bringing down mercury in the Kashmir Valley, officials said on Thursday.

A meteorological department official told GNS that Srinagar received 27mm of rain from 0830 hours to 1730 hours while it recorded a low of 8.6°C and day temperature of 9.4°C which was below 12.9°C than the normal in the summer capital of J&K for this time of the season.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, received 8.2mm of rain during the time and recorded a low of 4.6°C and maximumum of 9.8°C against normal of 21.1°C, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, received 12mm of rain and recorded a low of 3.3°C and maximum of 6.9°C, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, received 6.8mm of rain during the time and recorded a low of 3.7°C and day temperature of 11.4°C, the official said.

Kupwara had 9.8mm of rain during the time and recorded a low of 5.0°C and maximum of 7.5°C, the official said. Reports said Sadnatop received 5 inch of fresh snow along with Karnah, Keran and Z Gali in Machil in the north Kashmir district.

Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, received 21.1mm of rain and snow while it recorded a low of minus 0.5°C against 1.4°C on the previous night and maximum of 0.0°C, the official said.  Reports of snowfall have been also received from Kulan, Gund and Sonamarg areas of Ganderbal district in central Kashmir besides Drass and Leh in Ladakh.

Director Meteorological department Sonam Lotus said that from April 23, weather is most likely to remain dry in Jammu and Kashmir besides Ladakh till the end of the month.

Srinagar: Traffic authorities on Thursday said that only stranded traffic shall be allowed on Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world.

“Tomorrow (April 23) subject to fair weather and better road condition only stranded vehicles between Nashree and Ramban shall be allowed towards Srinagar. No vehicle shall be allowed from Jammu or Udhampur towards Srinagar,” traffic authorities said in a communiqué.
Meanwhile, Mughal road, the only surface link connecting Poonch and Shopian districts, was closed due to snow accumulation.