Srinagar: BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav Friday held close door meeting with the Kashmir BJP leaders here in Srinagar and urged them to gear up for the panchayat polls.
One of the top BJP leader told News Agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that Ram Madhav on his visit to the valley Friday afternoon held the close door meeting here in the circuit house Srinagar with senior party leaders.
“The closed-door deliberations continued for several hours and the security of BJP workers and the emerging political scenario in the Valley were discussed,” said the leader wishing anonymity.
He said that Madhav assure the leaders that the security issue of BJP leaders, Panchas and Surpanchs will be addressed soon. “Besides Madhav urged party leaders to gear up for the Pancahyat elections,” he said.
Sources told KINS that Madhav had come to check the political developments on the ground and took feedback from everyone. “We submitted a memorandum demanding security for every political worker irrespective of party affiliation.” said a senior BJP leader wishing not to be named.
Madhav, who had previously played a key role in the formation of the BJP-PDP coalition, arrived here days after six main political parties, including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress, announced that they stood by the “Gupkar declaration” and would jointly fight for the restoration of Article 370.
The visit also comes at a time when recently working committee of J&K BJP in a unanimous resolution reiterated party’s commitment to restoration of statehood. BJP has termed the Gupkar Declaration “anti-national, pro-secessionist, misleading and deceptive”.
The BJP working committee in the meeting had also reiterated that article 370 and 35 (A) were part of history now and nobody could sell pipe dreams to the people of J&K anymore.
The party had passed a 28-point resolution in the meeting in which they demanded that assembly elections should be held as soon as the delimitation exercise is completed.
During his first visit here in October last year after the abrogation of Article 370, Madhav had maintained that the regional parties would only be allowed to do “routine politics” like seeking restoration of statehood to J&K.(KINS)
India has tested more than 9 lakh samples for the detection of COVID-19 for the second consecutive day.
A health worker collects swab sample for coronavirus test at a mobile testing van, in New Delhi | File Photo | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
A record single day spike of 77,266 infections in a day, pushed India’s COVID-19 tally to 33,87,500, while the death-toll climbed to 61,529 with 1,057 people succumbing to the disease in a span of 24 hours, Union Health Ministry data updated at 8 a.m. on Friday showed.
India registered 75,760 infections the previous day.
This is the highest single-day spike for any country in the world. According to Johns Hopkins University data, 77,255 new cases reported in the U.S. on July 17, 2020 was the previous high.
According to the University data India stands third in the number of cases after the U.S. and Brazil. In terms of deaths India is at fourth after the U.S., Brazil and Mexico.
Top 5 Highest single day spikes recorded:
Country
No. of cases
Date
India
77,266
August 27
USA
77,255
March 21
Brazil
69,074
July 29
Chile
36,179
June 17
France
26,849
April 12
Source: JHU
Highest single-day spikes for other major countries
Country
No. of cases
Date
Spain
19,382
August 24
China
15,133
February 13
Pakistan
12,073
June 14
Russia
11,656
May 11
Italy
6,557
March 21
Source: JHU
The cumulative tests for detection of COVID-19 have reached 3,94,77,848 in the country, and more than 1 crore samples have been tested in the past two weeks, the Ministry said, highlighting that the Tests Per Million have increased to 28,607.
India has tested more than 9 lakh samples for the detection of COVID-19 for the second consecutive day, keeping a sharp focus on the ‘test, track and treat’ strategy of the government.
India has already created a capacity of doing 10 lakh tests per day. A total of 9,01,338 samples were tested in a span of 24 hours on Thursday taking the cumulative tests to 3,94,77,848 so far.
“More than 1 crore samples have been tested for COVID in the past two weeks,” the Ministry said.
“The Tests Per Million too have seen a sharp surge to 28,607. It is only by aggressive testing that positive cases can be identified at an early stage, their close contacts promptly tracked and isolated as well as timely and effective treatment can be ensured,” the Ministry underlined.
The graded and evolving response has resulted in a testing strategy that steadily widened the testing net in the country.
To keep up with this strategy, the testing lab network in the country is continuously strengthened which as on today consists of 1,564 labs in the country; 998 labs in the government sector and 566 private labs.
Recoveries exceed actives cases; case fatality drops to 1.82%
The effectiveness of the Centre’s ‘test, track and treat’ approach is reflected in the progress on the COVID-19 recovery front and the reduction in fatality rate, the government said, highlighting that recoveries exceed active cases by over 18 lakh as on date.
The Ministry pointed out that in the past five months, more than three-fourth of COVID-19 cases have recovered and less than one-fourth are active now.
“Effective treatment of positive cases has resulted in a progressively dipping COVID case fatality rate, which is pegged at 1.82% as on date,” the Ministry said.
The number of recoveries is nearly 3.5 times the active cases of coronavirus infection currently, it said.
With more patients recovering and being discharged from home isolation and hospitals, India’s COVID-19 recoveries is nearing 26 lakh.
With a total of 60,177 patients having recuperated in a span of 24 hours, the recoveries have surged to 25,83,948 and the recovery rate has reached 76.28%.
“Higher number of recoveries has led to a constantly growing difference between recoveries and active cases. Crossing 18 lakhs, the difference stands at 18,41,925 today,” the Ministry said.
The Union government has adopted a graded and evolving strategic response to COVID management in India within the larger evolving global context.
The early focus on surveillance and contact-tracing through house-to-house survey was continuously strengthened with increase in testing for ensuring early identification of positive cases.
This has ensured prompt isolation of the confirmed positive cases either in supervised home care for the mild and moderate ones or in hospitals in case of those exhibiting critical symptoms, the Ministry said.
The Centre has led the country-wide response and management with steady ramping up of hospital infrastructure through the three-tiered dedicated COVID facilities — Dedicated COVID Hospitals (DCHs) with ICU bed, ventilators etc., for critical care management; Dedicated COVID Health Centres (DCHCs) with oxygen beds and doctor on call facility and COVID Care Centres (CCCs) with isolation beds.
As on date, the country has 1,723 DCHs, 3,883 DCHCs and 11,689 CCCs with a total of 15,89,105 isolation beds, 2,17,128 oxygen-supported beds and 57,380 ICU beds.
Jammu: Pakistan soldiers violated the ceasefire on Friday by resorting to heavy firing and mortar shelling on forward areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said here.
The Indian Army mounted a befitting retaliation, they said.
“At about 1130 hours today, Pak army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along LoC in Balakote sector,” a defence spokesman said.
Srinagar: Four militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Kiloora area of Shopian district in south Kashmir following specific information about the presence of militants, a police official said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired upon a search party of the forces, which retaliated.
In the ensuing exchange of fire, four militants were killed, the official said.
He said the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants was being ascertained. The operation is on, the official added.
Movement of people, vehicles not allowed at Lal Chowk
Case lodged against mourners for raising pro-azaadi slogans
Security forces on Friday sealed several parts of Srinagar to prevent Muharram processions, which remain banned since the 1990s in Kashmir Valley.
Lal Chowk saw all main roads sealed with concertina wires, as no movement of people and vehicles was allowed.
An official said curbs were imposed at eight police station limits in Srinagar as “Mourners were planning a procession”.
Today is the 8th of Muharram and Mourners traditionally organise a procession from Shaheed Gunj to Abi Guzar to Dalgate areas on the occasion.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole on Thursday announced fresh restrictions on religious gatherings in Kashmir “in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic”.
The police lodged a case recently against mourners for raising pro-azaadi slogans. Another group of mourners clashed with the police in Budgam.
An elderly woman shows a 500 rupee note after withdrawing from her Jan Dhan account, after the Centre released its second installment of the COVID-19 lockdown relief fund, in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. File photo | Photo Credit: PTI
Marking the sixth anniversary of the ‘Jan Dhan’ scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the initiative has been a “game-changer” and served as the foundation for many poverty alleviation initiatives of his government.
After he led the BJP to power in 2014, this was one of his government’s first major projects under which bank accounts of crores of people, mostly poor, were opened.
“Today, six years ago, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched with an ambitious aim of banking the unbanked. This initiative has been a game-changer, serving as the foundation for many poverty alleviation initiatives, benefitting crores of people,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
“Thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the future of several families has become secure. A high proportion of beneficiaries are from rural areas and are women. I also applaud all those who have worked tirelessly to make PM-JDY a success. #6Years Of JanDhan Yojana,” he added.
The graphics shared by him showed that more than 40 crore bank accounts have been opened so far with more than 63 per cent of the beneficiaries belonging to rural areas. Over 55 per cent of them are women.
The government has said that it has been able to directly transfer welfare benefits to the needy due to the scheme.
The apex court upholds UGCs decision to hold final year exams.
The Supreme Court on Friday said the decision taken by some States like Delhi and Maharashtra under the Disaster Management Act to cancel the final-year UGC exam before September 30 due to COVID-19 will prevail.
States can apply to the UGC for an extension of the exam deadline. Their request will be considered by the UGC at the earliest.
Besides Maharashtra and Delhi, other States that have cancelled the UGC exams include Odisha, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
A Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan held that States’ Disaster Management authorities acted beyond their jurisdiction to promote final-year students without exams.
“States and universities cannot promote students without holding exams,” Justice Bhushan read from the judgment.
The court, however, did not quash the UGC’s July 6 directive to hold exams before September 30. This case only referred to States that had unilaterally cancelled the UGC exams by using their powers under the Disaster Management Act.
The UGC, in the last hearing, had argued that though its July 6 directive to conduct final-year exams by the end of September was not a “diktat”, States could not unilaterally cancel the exams, citing the pandemic.
“If the State governments had an issue, they cannot change the exam schedule on their own. They should meet with the Centre and consult with the UGC about their apprehensions,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for UGC, had submitted.
Mr. Mehta said the guidelines for conducting the exams involve multiple options for students. “They can take the exams online, offline or hybrid (partly online and partly in the physical format),” Mr. Mehta had said.
The Solicitor General had also said if a student was unable to appear for the exams in September, he could opt for a later date.
UGC had questioned the logic of cancelling the final-term exams for fear of COVID-19, but at the same time opening up universities and educational institutions for the next academic session.
The court was hearing a batch of petitions filed by over 30 students, represented by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava, questioning the validity of the UGC’s directive.
New Delhi: The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi rose to 204.30 meters on Friday morning, precariously close to the warning mark of 204.50 meters, officials said.
“The water level was recorded at 204.30 meters at the Old Railway Bridge at 9 am. It was 203.77 metres at 10 am on Thursday,” an official of the irrigation and flood control department said.
The water level rose because more water was released from the Hathnikund barrage on Tuesday. The flow rate was 36,557 cusec at 5 pm on Tuesday, the highest in the last three days, he said.
The water discharged from the barrage which provides drinking water to Delhi normally takes two-three days to reach the capital.
Water was being released into the Yamuna at the rate of 11,055 cusec at 8 am on Friday.
“The flow rate has remained between 10,000 cusec to 25,000 cusec over the last two days, which is not very high. Therefore, the water level of the river is expected to recede,” the official said.
One cusec is equivalent to 28.32 litre per second.
The river had swelled to 204.38 meters on Monday, which was just a metre below the danger mark of 205.33 meters.
Normally, the flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage is 352 cusec, but the discharge is increased after heavy rainfall in catchment areas.
Last year, the flow rate had peaked to 8.28 lakh cusec on August 18-19, and the water level of the Yamuna had hit the 206.60 meter-mark, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 meters.
The Delhi government had to launch evacuation and relief operations after the overflowing river submerged many low-lying areas.
In 1978, the river had swelled to the all-time record water level of 207.49 meters.
In 2013, it had risen to 207.32 metres.
Delhi’s Water Minister Satyendar Jain had Monday said the government was ready to deal with any flood-like situation.
New Delhi: A record single-day spike of 77,266 COVID-19 cases pushed India’s virus tally to 33,87,500, while the recoveries surged to 25,83,948 on Friday, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The death toll climbed to 61,529 with 1,057 people succumbing to the diseases in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.
The recovery rate was recorded at 76.28 per cent, while the COVID-19 case fatality rate has further declined to 1.82 per cent.
There are 7,42,023 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 21.90 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7 and went past 30 lakh on August 23.
According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 3,94,77,848 samples have been tested up to August 27 with 9,01,338 samples being tested on Thursday.
New Delhi: COVID-19 can affect almost all organs besides the lungs and the initial symptoms may be totally unrelated to chest complaints, according to experts at AIIMS here.
Representational Picture | Photo Credit: PTI
They stressed that classification of cases into mild, moderate and severe categories based just on respiratory symptoms should be relooked to include other organ involvement.
Experts from the institute, including its director Dr Randeep Guleria, Dr MV Padma Srivastava, head of department of Neurology, Dr Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology and Dr Neeraj Nischal, Associate Professor in the department of Medicine during their weekly ‘National Clinical Grand Rounds’ organised in collaboration with NITI Aayog discussed various possible extra-pulmonary complications of COVID-19.
Dr Guleria said eight months into COVID-19, a lot has been learnt and accordingly strategies are being changed from time to time.
From what we thought of as a viral pneumonia has a lot of other manifestations which are beyond the lungs, he said.
“As we have known more and more about COVID-19, we have realised it causes many extra pulmonary manifestations. This is basically of the fact that this virus enters into cell through ACE2 receptors which although are present abundantly in upper airways and lungs, they are also present in many organs and thus other organs are also affected.
“We have seen many patients who presented with features which are not been predominantly pulmonary but extra pulmonary manifestations,” Dr Guleria said.
He said though pulmonary manifestations continue to dominate as far as majority of COVID-19 cases are concerned, there is a significant number of patients who would present with manifestations which may be along with pulmonary manifestations or may be without pulmonary manifestations.
“We as clinicians need to have a high index of suspicion during this pandemic — when to suspect, treat and isolate these patients so that we can provide them good quality care,” he stressed.
The experts in the programme presented a number of cases in which the patients were labelled as asymptomatic or mild COVID but had serious life-threatening extra-pulmonary manifestations like stroke and heart blocks.
“What started off as a viral pneumonia is now a multi-systemic disease. However, the jury is out whether SARS-COV2 is the culprit in these extra pulmonary manifestations or just an innocent bystander which happens to be at the wrong place at a wrong time,” Dr Nischal said.
“So the classification of COVID-19 into mild, moderate and severe cases based only on respiratory symptoms should be relooked into to incorporate other organ involvement,” he said.
Dr Nischal further underlined that management of such patients with other organ involvement should be as per existing guidelines of that particular complication.
The doctor from the Medicine Department also highlighted the case of a 35-year old man who had headache and was vomiting but was found to have life threatening cortical vein thrombosis.
When tested, he was found positive for COVID-19. He was asymptomatic for COVID-19 as per existing severity guidelines, Dr Nischal said.
“There is a big spectrum of neurological manifestations which have been linked to COVID-19. In some patients, brain is involved and it may lead to clotting, resulting in stroke or can cause infection and lead to encephalitis or other complications which have nothing to do with lungs,” Dr Padma said.
Dr Ambuj’s team presented the case of a patient who came with a very low pulse rate, detected COVID-19 positive and required initial support with some medicines to improve heart rate.
“Normally pacemaker is put in such patients to improve their heart rate but based on experiences documented in literature, we realised some of these could be due to COVID-19, so a pacemaker was not put and her heart rate gradually improved with supportive treatment.
“Sometimes, the electrical pulse system of the heart which gives rise to heart beat can be affected in COVID-19 and it is self-limiting and improves with time. So these patients who would otherwise normally require pacemaker may not ever need it.
“However, more evidence is needed to be definitive about this as it is a new disease and limited information and experience regarding it is available as of now,” Dr Roy said.
