CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday urged the Centre to give flexibility to states to devise local strategies for COVID-19 vaccination within the broad parameters of the central government’s approach.

Singh made these suggestions in a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, immediately after the PM held a video conference with chief ministers of all states to review the COVID and vaccination situation, a Punjab government statement said here.

During the meeting in which Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present, Singh apprised the prime minister of the situation in the state and the steps taken by his government to control and manage the disease.

In recent weeks, Punjab has witnessed a surge in number of coronavirus cases.

Singh stressed that the UK variant of coronavirus, which is dominating the second wave in the state, is reported by experts to be more virulent and affecting the youth disproportionately.

In his subsequent letter, Singh said his suggestions, some of which were submitted on March 17 to the PM and the Union health minister, were based on the state government’s interaction with independent experts.

The statement said that amid reports of some states facing vaccine shortages, Singh also requested the Ministry of Health to share the schedule for supply of vaccines with the states over the next quarter based on their confirmed supply orders.

Given that over 80 per cent positive cases found in Punjab are of the UK variant, according to early reports from central laboratories, he also sought strengthening of viral sequencing in the state which has been reporting around 3,000 cases per day since the last 15 days, with around 8 per cent positivity.

The state currently has around 26,000 active cases with a recovery rate of 87.3 per cent, with 50-60 deaths a day at around 2 per cent Case Fatality Rate (CFR), the statement said.

The chief minister reiterated his earlier request for vaccinating teachers and staff in all educational institutions to enable resumption of physical classes once the surge abates.

He also batted for occupation-based immunisation for judges and judicial officers, bus drivers and conductors, elected representatives at all levels, etc.

Singh apprised the meeting that the primary driver of the spread appeared to be fatigue and laxity in following COVID-appropriate behavior, large political, social and religious gatherings, and efforts at normalization such as opening of schools and colleges.

High positivity was being seen in younger population, he pointed out.

The chief minister urged Modi to direct central institutions like IISER, IMTECH, AIIMS, Bathinda, and PGIMER, Chandigarh, to increase the RT-PCR testing from Punjab.

Further, PGIMER, Chandigarh, should be asked to earmark at least 50 COVID ICU beds for patients being referred by the state, he added.

Currently, 55 per cent health care workers and around 90 per cent front line workers have got the first dose of vaccine, Singh told the prime minister during the virtual meeting, while disclosing that more than 8.9 lakh persons aged 45 above have taken first dose of vaccination.

Daily vaccinations have increased from 20,000 per day in mid-March to around 85,000-90,000 per day, with maximum of 1.32 lakh vaccinations on April 3.

“We are targeting around 2 lakh per day by the end of this month,” he said.

An extensive social media campaign is being undertaken to address the misinformation regarding COVID and vaccination hesitancy, he informed Modi, adding that all public healthcare facilities upto Primary Health Centre have started working as vaccination centres, making it available to the public in their vicinity.

All public health facilities have started vaccination on 7 days of the week, while more private healthcare facilities are being motivated to work as COVID vaccination centres, he added.

Singh also shared the overall testing figures for the state and detailed treatment facilities, while touching upon the measures taken by his government to check the spread of COVID including closure of educational institutions and anganwadi centres.

Meanwhile, a two-member central team deputed by the Health Ministry reached here on Thursday to support the district administration in managing the new surge of coronavirus cases.

The team expressed complete satisfaction over COVID management and execution of the inoculation drive in Ludhiana, a state government statement said.

The team held a meeting with the district administration officials in Bachat Bhawan and later took stock of the vaccination drive by visiting two camps organised in the Civil Hospital and the United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers Association (UCPMA).

The team members also inspected the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme Lab in the civil hospital and interacted with the staff there.

It supervised a micro-containment zone to assess the arrangements for restricting the movements, according to the statement.

The team comprises National Centre for Disease Control Deputy Director Anubhav Srivastava and Kavita Chaudhary from RML Hospital in Delhi.

They met Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma and convened a meeting attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar, Civil Surgeon Sukhjeevan Kakkar and others, it said.

A small presentation was also given in the meeting regarding the present status of coronavirus cases, effective mechanism and initiatives taken to curb the rising infections, the statement said.

Fifty-six more people succumbed to coronavirus in Punjab on Thursday as 3,119 fresh cases surfaced, pushing the state’s infection count to 2,63,090, according to a medical bulletin.

So far, the infection has killed 7,334 in the state.

The number of active cases also rose from 25,855 to 26,389.

Mohali on Thursday recorded the maximum 456 cases, followed by 425 in Ludhiana, 419 in Jalandhar, 354 in Patiala and 317 in Amritsar.

Among the fresh deaths, 12 were reported from Hoshiarpur, eight in Jalandhar, seven in Amritsar and six in Patiala, according to the bulletin.

A total of 2,480 coronavirus patients were discharged after recovering from the infection, taking the number of cured people to 2,29,367, the bulletin said.

There are 24 critical patients who are on ventilator while 386 are on oxygen support.

A total of 62,35,386 samples have been collected for testing so far in the state, it said.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh reported 324 cases of infection, taking the tally to 29,521 in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

The death of a 70-year-old man took the toll to 389, according to a medical bulletin.

The number of active cases stood at 3,115.

A total of 329 patients were discharged after they recovered from the infection, taking the number of cured people to 26,017.

A total of 3,31,288 samples have been taken for testing so far, of which 3,00,725 tested negative while reports of 103 samples are awaited, the bulletin added.

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered on Thursday imposition of night curfew in the urban areas of eight districts, including Jammu and Srinagar, to check the spread of the soaring coronavirus cases.

These districts are Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam, Anantnag and Kupwara, it said.

The curfew will be in force in the municipal limits of the urban local bodies of these districts.

Rural district will be under close observation for any possible spikes in cases, it added.

Jammu District Magistrate Anshul Garg on Thursday declared several areas as micro-containment zones to contain the soaring coronavirus cases.

The area in and around Government Gandhi Memorial, Science College, Canal Road, falling under the Nowabad police station, and area in and around Sanskrit University, Kanger Morh, Bhalwal, falling under the Gharota police station, were declared as micro-containment zones, an official said.

This followed the detection of COVID-19 cases in the educational institutes during a sampling drive.

Quoting an order issued by the district magistrate, the spokesperson said these areas would be under strict lockdown and tight perimeter control, except for essential needs.

“There shall be no movement, whatsoever, in and out of the micro-containment zones,” the spokesperson said.

He said it would be mandatory for the persons residing in designated containment zones to get themselves tested and any refusal in this regard would invite action, including filing of an FIR under the Disaster Management Act.

“The magistrate and the SHO of the area shall ensure that 100 per cent sampling and testing is done,” the spokesperson said.

He said the Jammu chief medical officer would ensure deployment of sufficient teams for sampling and surveillance of the designated zone.

He would ensure contact tracing of positive cases and their testing as per the SOP, the spokesperson said, adding that the district control room would monitor strict home and medical isolation of all positive cases reported from the zones twice on daily basis.

“Any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and the Disaster Management Act, 2005,” the order said.

All travellers coming to Kashmir by road shall undergo coronavirus tests in Kulgam district, an official said on Thursday.

Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Aijaz Asad chaired a meeting to review the coronavirus situation, a spokesperson said.

Asad said the testing for travellers coming by road shall be started in Lower Munda area in a couple of days as this would help in containing the spread of virus in the Valley.

The deputy commissioner said mass vaccination of hotel staff, drivers, houseboat staff and others shall be started across all tourist destinations.

A special training programme shall be conducted for the staff members to ensure that all standard operating procedures are followed strictly while dealing with the tourists, he said.

Asad urged the tourism stakeholders to ensure proper sanitation and hygiene in all hotels.

The deputy commissioner asked the hoteliers to keep two rooms available for isolation of tourists in case they test positive.

Dr Gazalla, the incharge COVID-19 testing at Srinagar Airport, deliberated on the importance of vaccination.

Various tourism stakeholders from Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg also attended the meeting.

The tourism players raised various demands, including hiring of separate hotel accommodation for isolation of infected tourists, permission to tourists to the valley only after their RT-PCR test reports, improvement in testing facility at the Airport and sanitation of hotels.

MUMBAI: Hospitality associations across Maharashtra on Thursday organised statewide silent protests, under the aegis of the United Hospitality Forum of Maharashtra (UHF), against the government’s recent lockdown order.

HRAWI President Sherry Bhatia said, “The hospitality industry demands fair play and justice. We request the government to either allow us to continue regular operations with the mandated SOPs (standard operating procedures) or permanently shut us down, rather than keep us half alive and in a state of misery.”

He said the industry operates in the safest of environments and follow all the mandated compliances.

“A majority of the establishments have mounting debts and face threats of insolvency along with millions of job losses.”

With fear of losing jobs like last year, many workers have begun to leave for their homes again, he added.

“Through our silent protests today, we are requesting the government to allow us to resume our work and if not, the government must take care of our incomes.”

“The industry should get a complete waiver on all statutory fees and taxes, and establishments should not be billed for water and electricity for the duration of the curbs,” Bhatia added.

The campaign #MissionRoziRoti has gained momentum on social media with several restaurateurs and hoteliers in the state posting pictures, messages, and videos showing support and solidarity to the campaign.

The hospitality associations rallying against the latest lockdown across the state include Poona Hoteliers Association, United Hotel Association Pune, Nagpur Hotel and Restaurant Association, Aurangabad Hotel and Restaurant Association, Vasai Taluka Hotel Association, Hotel Owners’ association of Thane, Navi Mumbai Hotel Association, and Palghar Hotel Association.

The protest was also supported by various city- and district-level hospitality associations from Beed, Amaravati, Nanded, Hingoli, Jalna, Parbhani, Aurangabad, Satara, Osmanabad, and Vasind, among others.

The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to allow the opening of jewellery retail stores in the state during the festive occasion of Gudi Padwa (New Year for Maharashtrians), which is an important day for buying wedding jewellery.

In a letter written to the CM on Wednesday, GJC said Gudi Padwa is one of the most important festivals for Maharashtra, and every year, jewellery business witnesses a 30-40 per cent spike in sales.

“Currently, thousands of customers have placed orders for the festival, which are pending delivery.

Due to the lockdown and closure of retail outlets, the retailers are unable to supply the goods to the customers for Gudi Padwa and their weddings,” the letter stated.

GJC represents over six lakh players pan-India comprising manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, laboratories, gemologists, designers and allied services to the domestic gems and jewellery industry.

GJC Chairman Ashish Pethe said, “Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, is a major hub for thousands of wholesalers and manufacturers. It is also the biggest market for diamond exports and majority of the jewellery across India and globally is supplied from the Zaveri Bazaar.”

He added that Maharashtra also houses lakhs of jewellers and artisans who have migrated from all parts of India.

“The above imposed lockdown will have repercussions on the entire nation and its supply chain.”

GJC has also urged the chief minister to allow jewellers to open stores during Gudi Padwa and other summer harvest festivals such as Ugadi, Chaitra Navratri and Jhulelal Jayanti.

The apex jewellers’ body also asked the Maharashtra government to allow them to operate during the upcoming wedding season in the April-June quarter.

The Maharashtra government on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown in the state from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in a bid to curb the growing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state.

The new lockdown restrictions, ‘Break the Chain’, imposed from April 5 till April 30.

Apart from the weekend lockdown, strict restrictions will be in force from Monday 8 pm onwards, and night curfew will continue and prohibitory orders issued under Section 144 will be enforced during the day time during the week.

Pethe said the industry is seeing an upward graph but now with new lockdown restrictions in April, the livelihood of many craftsmen and self-employed jewellers will be affected and their families will suffer.

“In Mumbai, the industry does Rs 200-300 crore business only from Zaveri Bazaar daily. If we calculate the entire state, the numbers will be huge and so will be the loss to the industry, resulting in job loss of lakh of artisans,” he told PTI.

World Gold Council India Managing Director Somasundaram P R told PTI that this is a setback as the jewellery business had started crawling back to near normal and retailers were upbeat about the upcoming festive season for Gudi Padwa, Udagi and Chaitra Navratri.

“The gold prices also seemed favourable for the consumers with over 10 per cent drop to Rs 45,000 per 10 grams from historic highs of above Rs 55,000.”

However, in some pockets due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, there is a major clamp down on businesses by the respective state governments,” he added.

Somasundaram also said this has dampened trade sentiment and will definitely impact gold buying.

However, the situation should be better than the same time previous year when the entire country was under strict lockdown, he added.

“We anticipate good business in southern and northern India where jewellery stores are able to function normally and digital sales are expected to benefit in areas where there are curbs on the retail stores. However frequent lockdowns, regional or not, will hit trade confidence,” he added.

Kumar Jain of UT Zaveri told PTI that the situation is bad for the industry as Zaveri Bazaar houses 3,000 shops, 35,000-40,000 small manufacturing units and small offices where around 2-2.5 lakh artisans are employed.

“Zaveri Bazaar has completely come to a standstill, which is going to create unemployment for the artisans if the restrictions are not eased soon,” he said.

PNG Jewellers Chairman and Managing Director Saurabh Gadgil said the gems and jewellery industry is likely to incur up to Rs 1,000 crore loss if the restrictions are not eased in the state.

“The situation for the industry is not good as the expenses are going up including rents, maintenance, salaries of the staff, and bank interests taxes, among others.”

“Meanwhile, the artisans, of which 70 per cent have come back from the previous lockdown, are thinking of going back to their hometowns. Bringing back the artisans is a 2-3 months process and will affect production. This will cost the industry huge loss,” he added.

WHP Jewellers Director Aditya Pethe stated that the organised retail stores are following all the social distancing guidelines like compulsory masks, sanitisation, limited number of customers in the store  as per the square feet of the store.

Therefore, instead of the lockdown, the government can focus on vaccinating people faster while social distancing guidelines are followed more strictly and penalise those who are not following the norms, he said.

“I hope the state government rethinks the lockdown decision otherwise this will severely affect the retail industry and small traders who will not be able to sustain another lockdown and will be forced to go against this decision as it is a question of their survival,” he added.

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh reported 40 coronavirus fatalities, highest in recent weeks, and 6,023 new cases on Wednesday, pushing the toll to 8,964 and the tally to 6,45,930.

District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash said examinations would be allowed in recognised educational institutes with strict adherence to protocols.

Night curfew will be imposed in areas under the Lucknow Municipal Corporation from Thursday till April 16 from 9 pm to 6 am, the official said, as the coronavirus cases continue to surge.

Night curfew has also been imposed in Kanpur from 10 pm to 6 am and will remain in place till April 30, Kanpur District Magistrate Alok Tiwari said in a statement.

There will be exemption on ferrying essential items and there will be no ban on movement of goods vehicles, the Lucknow district magistrate said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a video conference with several district magistrates.

Districts that are reporting more than 100 fresh cases everyday and have more than 500 active cases, the district magistrate may take a decision regarding holidays, barring examinations, depending upon local circumstances.

Stress was laid on COVID-19 testing of people at railway stations, bus stations for effective control over COVID-19 and for effective contract tracing.

Social distancing and masks have been made mandatory.

Fifty per cent of the ambulance should be reserved for COVID-19 patients, while rest for the non-COVID-19 patients, the state government said in a statement.

Six employees, working in the King George’s Medical University vice chancellor’s office, tested positive for coronavirus despite having received both shots of the vaccine, a doctor said.

This comes a day after as many as 39 KGMU doctors, including the vice chancellor, were found infected with the virus.

“The administration of the KGMU is extremely serious to stop the spread of the infection and screening has already started.

The administration is making every effort to stop the infection in the initial stage itself,” KGMU spokesperson Sudhir Singh said.

The 40 new fatalities on Wednesday in the state include six from Lucknow, five from Kanpur, four from Ballia, three each from Allahabad and Varanasi, and two each from Moradabad, Ghazipur, Amroha and Fatehpur, according to a health bulletin.

Of the 6,023 new cases, 1,333 are from Lucknow, followed by 811 in Allahabad, 593 in Varanasi and 300 in Kanpur, among others.

As many as 6.05 lakh patients have recovered and there are 31,987 active cases, it said.

The District and Sessions Court in Lucknow has been closed for 48 hours in the view of rising infections among some court employees.

The court will now reopen on April 12.

The Central Bar Association requested the district judge not to pass adverse orders in any matter if a counsel was unable to turn up to argue the cases in the present scenario.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav hit out at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the “grim” situation.

“The number of infected persons and deaths is rising. But instead of making adequate arrangements, the chief minister is travelling in different states and delivering speeches as the BJP’s star campaigner,” Yadav said in a statement.

“The BJP is making false claims over controlling COVID-19 only to garner praises. The result is that there is a second wave of COVID-19,” the SP leader said.

BSP president Mayawati said the central and the state governments, as well as the people, should take the surge in coronavirus cases very seriously.

“But inaction towards violation of COVID protocol, especially in election rallies and roadshows, is a matter of grave concern. It needs appropriate attention,” she added.

Reviewing the status of reservoirs and dams in the state, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the existing low levels of water, which, he said, was the lowest in the past 40 years.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday sanctioned Rs 130 crore for the execution of various flood protection works across the state and directed the irrigation and revenue departments to ensure their completion before the onset of the monsoon season.

Chairing a meeting of the State Flood Control Board through video conferencing, the Punjab Chief Minister ordered to place Rs 10 crore at the disposal of the Deputy Commissioners of flood-prone districts to deal with any emergent situation arising due to heavy rains or floods.

The Chief Minister directed the District Commissioners (DC) of the flood-prone districts to prioritize their tasks and submit the list of projects requiring immediate attention to the finance department for sanctioning of the funds.

He also directed the DCs to undertake desilting and cleaning of drains in consultation with the Water Resources Department. He said all such works should be taken up immediately and it should be ensured that they are completed before the onset of the monsoon seasons.

The Chief Minister also asked the officers to ensure timely and proper cleaning of city drains to prevent waterlogging in urban areas.

Reviewing the status of reservoirs and dams in the state, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the existing low levels of water, which, he said, was the lowest in the past 40 years.

Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan underscored the need to carry out the necessary works with a holistic approach and also explore the possibility of executing works under MGNREGA and other Government Schemes.

The meeting was informed by Financial Commissioner (Revenue) Viswajeet Khanna that Rs 130 crore had been earmarked in the Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to meet any exigency arising out of floods, thereby providing relief to the affected people as compensation in lieu of damage caused to the standing crops, houses, cattle, besides the loss to life and property.