MINIMUM TEMP IN DELHIDROPS TO 6.3 DEGREES CNew Delhi: A cold wave grippedDelhi on Monday as theminimum temperature droppedto 6.3 degrees Celsius, fivenotches below normal and thelowest in the month ofNovember since 2003,according to the IndiaMeteorological Department.

KASHMIR RECEIVESSEASON�S IST SNOWFALL Srinagar: Most of the plainareas in Kashmir experiencedthe season�s first snowfall onMonday, even as the higherreaches witnessed heavyprecipitation, leading to theclosure of Srinagar-Leh roadwhich connects the valley withLadakh, officials said here.

CBSE CLASS 12 PRACTICALEXAM DATES OUTNew Delhi: The CBSE onMonday released the tentativedates for the Class 12th boardpractical exams amid thespeculation of postponing orcancellation of the exams in thewake of coronavirus pandemic.

CAPSULE

PNS n NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court onMonday said that the

Covid-19 situation has wors-ened in Delhi and gone out ofcontrol in Gujarat even as itwarned Maharashtra to be pre-pared for the worst inDecember. Expressing concernover the surge in number ofCovid-19 cases across thecountry, the court asked theCentre and all States to filewithin two days status reportsdetailing the steps taken to dealwith the situation.

“Things have worsened inDelhi especially in November.You file a status report onwhat steps have been taken,” aBench headed by Justice AshokBhushan told AdditionalSolicitor General Sanjay Jain,who was appearing for theDelhi Government.

“In Gujarat, the situation isgoing out of control,” said theBench, also comprising JusticesRS Reddy and MR Shah.

“There is spike in cases andthis is only November. Preparefor the worst in December. Youhave to take steps,” the Benchtold the lawyer appearing forMaharashtra.

The Bench was hearing amatter regarding the need forproper treatment of Covid-19patients and dignified han-dling of dead bodies in the hos-pitals. It has posted the matterfor further hearing onNovember 27.

The court pointed out thatCovid-19 cases have risenacross the country especially inDelhi, Maharashtra andGujarat and noted the submis-sions of Solicitor GeneralTushar Mehta who said stepsare being taken to deal with thesituation in Delhi.

Jain told the Bench that as

per earlier order of the SC, anexpert committee has beenconstituted and other direc-tions have also been compliedwith by the Delhi Government.

He said that a separatespace has been earmarked forthe cremation of 385 bodies.

“We have no difficulty thatyou have complied with ordersof this court. But looking at thepresent situation, what else areyou doing,” the Bench observedand asked Jain to file a statusreport.

The apex court also ques-tioned the Gujarat Governmentover its policy of marriage cel-ebration during the pandemictime, saying cases are risingthere and the situation hasworsened in the State afterDelhi and Maharashtra.

“After Delhi andMaharashtra situation inGujarat has also worsened.What is that you are allowingmarriage celebration duringday time? You file an affidaviton the status report on stepstaken as on date,” the SC said.

Continued on Page 2

PNS n KOLKATA

In a sudden development, anumber of All India Majlis-

e-Ittehadul Muslimeen(AIMIM) men, including theirsenior leader Anwar Pasha, onMonday joined the TrinamoolCongress in an apparent bid tostop division of minority votesin Bengal by claimingAsaduddin Owaisi-led partywas only acting as a “polariserof votes” to help the BJP.

The AIMIM, however,claimed, Pasha was just a “partyworker”, and the TMC leader-ship was trying to fool themasses.

Alleging that a few peopleare trying to steer the countrytowards destruction using reli-gion, Pasha said those who areeyeing Bengal at present,whether “wearing saffron orgreen”, should know that thereis no place for creating religious

divisions in the State.“AIMIM has played a hand

in the polarisation of votes inBihar and thus helped the BJPin forming the Governmentthere, but this will not happenin Bengal,” he said.

Pasha, who was welcomedto the TMC fold by MinistersBratya Basu and Moloy Ghatak,said that 30 per cent of WestBengal’s population areMuslims, asserting that thepolitical developments in Biharcannot be emulated in Bengal.

Urging Muslims in theState to stand by Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee, he said theAIMIM chief should not cometo Bengal.

Owaisi had said on Sundaythat the party is deliberatingwith the West Bengal unit overcontesting the assembly elec-tions and will take a decisionon getting feedback from them.

Pasha said fear was being

created in the minds of minori-ties over CAA and NRC andthe West Bengal CM “is fight-ing for us and has taken to thestreets to support us.

“Making a law inParliament is not the end, it hasto be implemented on theground,” he said.

Senior AIMIM leader andin-charge of Bengal, AsimWaqar, declined to attach muchimportance to the develop-ment and urged the TMC notto fool the masses with their “dirty tricks”.

“Those who have joinedthe TMC today are neitherleaders nor office bearers of thestate AIMIM unit. They are justparty workers, just like lakhs ofAIMIM workers across thestate. The TMC should stoppursuing such dirty tricks.Their joining would not haveany impact on our prospects inBengal,” Waqar said.

PNS n NEW DELHI

While efforts are on toresolve the seven-month-

old stand-off through sustaineddialogue, China continues withinfrastructure development allalong the Line of ActualControl (LAC). Militaryammunition bunkers, roadsand prefabricated dwellingunits have come up in easternsector of the LAC besidesLadakh.

These developments comeat a time when the two sides arepreparing for the ninth roundof Corps Commander-leveltalks soon. While both thecommanders reiterated theircommitment to continue talks,China’s aggressive infrastruc-ture push has alarmed the

Indian security establishment.Earlier, rapid construction

was only confined to Ladakhsector of the LAC in the back-drop of the face-offs. However,the furious pitch of work in theEast in Doklam near Sikkim isa cause of serious concern,sources said here on Monday.

The Doklam region sawmore than 70-day long face-offin 2017 after India objected toconstruction of a road by Chinathere. The issue was resolvedafter intense negotiations at the

diplomatic and military levels.In the latest developments,

satellite images show con-struction of hardened ammu-nition bunkers, two kilometersfrom Sinche-La (pass) on theeastern periphery of theDoklam plateau near the bor-der between Bhutan and China.

The new structures willenable the Chinese troops towithstand intense cold thereand face any challenge with suf-ficient logistical support,sources said here.

High-resolution imagesfrom Maxar Technologies indi-cate road access from the siteof the bunkers to the Sinche-Lapass, which is then connectedto an all-weather road con-structed by Chinese workersthat stretches across the 5 kilo-metre-wide Doklam plateau.

The new bunkers and con-struction of the road on theDoklam plateau after the stand-off in 2017, the construction ofa “village” and 9-kilometretrack adjacent to the plateau arestrong indications that Chinahas no hesitation in construc-tion activity in territory whichBhutan claims to be its own.

A September 2020 study bySTRATFOR, the world’s lead-ing geopolitical intelligenceplatform, said the 2017 Doklamcrisis “appears to have shiftedChina’s strategic objectives,with China more than doublingits total number of air bases, airdefence positions and heli-ports near the Indian borderover the past three years.”

Continued on Page 2

PTI n THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The CPI(M)-led Left frontGovernment in Kerala on

Monday decided to put onhold a controversial amend-ment to the Police Act as thelaw triggered a political stormacross the country with manydescribing the measure as anassault on freedom of expres-sion and media.

Shortly after CPI(M) gen-eral secretary Sitaram Yechuryannounced in New Delhi thatthe amendment providing forup to five years jail term tothose making defamatorysocial media posts would bereconsidered, Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan said his gov-ernment was not “intending” toimplement it now.

Further action would betaken after detailed discus-

sions in the Assembly andhearing views from variousquarters, he said, with theannouncement coming amidwidespread criticism of theamendment and protests byCongress and threat by BJP tolegally challenge it.

While the Government hassaid it brought the amendmentthrough an ordinance to checkcyberbullying, opposition par-ties and even Left sympathisershave slammed it, saying it wasagainst the freedom of speechand media.

Leader of the Oppositionin the Assembly RameshChennithala dubbed as a“hoax” Vijayan’s statement thathis Government was notintending to implement the actand demanded that it berepealed at the earliest.

Continued on Page 2

STAFF REPORTER n NEW DELHI

The worsening of the air inDelhi for the next two days

has been attributed to slowwinds and low ventilation as onMonday Delhi’s air qualitydeteriorated to the “very poor”category after nearly 10 days,Government agencies said.

Stubble burning, whichaccounted for 12 per cent ofDelhi’s PM2.5 pollution onSunday, contributed six percent on Monday.

According to the CentralPollution Control Board(CPCB) mobile app, SAMEER,the city’s air quality index(AQI) was recorded at 281 onMonday morning and deterio-

rated to 302 in the evening. Itwas 274 on Sunday. It was 251on Saturday, 296 on Friday, 283on Thursday.

An AQI between zero and50 is considered “good”, 51 and100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200“moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”,301 and 400 “very poor”, and401 and 500 “severe”.

However, according to theMinistry of Earth Sciences’ airquality monitor, SAFAR,“Stubble burning share inPM2.5 in national Capital’s airis estimated as six per cent fortoday (Monday), mainlybecause calm wind is likely tohold intruded mass for a day.”SAFAR said.

Continued on Page 2

PTI n GUWAHATI

Veteran Congress leader anda three-term former Assam

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoidied here on Monday whileundergoing treatment for post-Covid-19 complications, StateHealth Minister HimantaBiswa Sarma said.

Gogoi, thrice ChiefMinister of the state from 2001to 2016, breathed his last at theGauhati Medical College andHospital (GMCH) at 5.34 pm,Sarma said. He was 84 and issurvived by wife Dolly, daugh-ter Chandrima and son Gaurav,a Lok Sabha member.

The veteran Congressleader was first admitted to thehospital on August 26 after test-ing positive for Covid-19 andwas discharged for a brief peri-od before being admitted againon November 2.

His condition deterioratedon November 21, followingmulti-organ failure and was put

on invasive ventilation. Gogoiwas given dialysis on Sunday.His condition deteriorated fur-ther over the past few hoursand the hospital where he wasadmitted said he was “very,very critical”.

“Extremely sad to know ofthe demise of Shri TarunGogoi, former Chief Minister

of Assam. The country has losta veteran leader with rich polit-ical and administrative experi-ence. His long tenure in officewas a period of epochal changein Assam,” President Ram Nathtweeted.

Expressing his anguish atthe death of Gogoi, PrimeMinister Narendra Modi

described him as a popularleader and veteran adminis-trator who had years of politi-cal experience in Assam as wellas at the Centre.

Modi tweeted, “Sri TarunGogoi Ji was a popular leaderand a veteran administrator,who had years of politicalexperience in Assam as well asthe Centre. Anguished by hispassing away. My thoughts arewith his family and supportersin this hour of sadness. OmShanti.”

“Shri Tarun Gogoi was oneof the tallest leaders of theCongress party, admired andrespected for his extraordi-nary wisdom, vision and abil-ity. With his long years ofexperience as an MLA, an MP,a Central Minister and ChiefMinister of Assam, he wassomeone to whose unfailinglywise counsel and advice wecould always turn to,” saidCongress chief Sonia Gandhi.

Continued on Page 2

STAFF REPORTER n NEW DELHI

Covid-19 fatalities have increased in thenational Capital with at least five people

dying of the deadly virus every hour on an aver-age in Delhi in the last 24 hours.

While a total of 511 Covid-19 deaths wererecorded across the country in the past 24 hours,Delhi accounted for the largest chunk of suchfatalities with 121 fatalities, the data updated at8 am showed.

This was accounted for the largest chunk ofsuch fatalities across the country, which record-ed an average of 21 deaths in this period.

The analysis was based on the data from theUnion Health Ministry which gave the totalnumber of deaths recorded in the country andall States and UTs due to Covid-19 in the past24 hours.

Continued on Page 2

STAFF REPORTER n NEW DELHI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal onMonday ordered the fourth-fifth-year-

MBBS students and dentists to be allowed toassist in hospitals and Covid-19 ICU units tomeet the manpower shortage.

His decision came after a surge in the coro-navirus cases and fatalities reported since lastweek in the national Capital.

According to an official order, the fourth-and-fifth-year MBBS students and dental doc-tors will assist duty doctors at the honorariumof `1,000 for an eight-hour shift and `2,000 fora 12-hour shift per day.

The Delhi Government, in its order, had alsosaid in the case of interns, the honorarium wouldbe over and above their stipend. According toGovernment database, Delhi has reported40,212 active cases, 4,81,260 recoveries, and8,391 deaths.

TN RAGHUNATHA n MUMBAI

In a safety precaution taken inview of increasing Covid-19

cases in the national Capitaland three other States, theMaharashtra Government onMonday made it mandatory for

all domestic passengers travel-ling to Maharashtra by air,trains and roads from theNational Capital Region andthe States of Rajasthan, Gujaratand Goa to carry RT-PCR neg-ative test report with them.

Amid a fear of a secondCovid-19 wave grippingMaharashtra in the wake ofincreasing incidence of Covid-19 in New Delhi, Ahmedabadand Surat, the MaharashtraGovernment put in place amechanism to prevent the pas-sengers carrying Covid-19

virus from enteringMaharashtra from Delhi,Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa.

Maharashtra ChiefMinister Uddhav Thackerayhad, in his address to the peo-ple across the State, said onSunday that his Governmentwas on a “high alert” in view ofincreasing pandemic cases incities like New Delhi,Ahmedabad and Surat.“Though there is no wave inthe State, we cannot lower ourguard. The State health author-ities are well-equipped to tack-

le the second pandemic wave ifit hits the State. My request topeople is to take all health pre-cautions,” he had said.

Amid speculation thatstarted brewing a few days agothat Maharashtra may suspendtrain and air transport servicesbetween Mumbai and Delhi,Uddhav Thackeray made thefirst move when the State madecompulsory for those arrivingin Maharashtra by air, train androad to carry RT-PCR negativetest report with them.

Continued on Page 2

SC raises concerns over Covid relapse Apex court asks Centre, States to file status report in 2 days on steps taken to deal with situation; Maha told to be prepared for worst in Dec

London: The vaccine candidatebeing trialled by OxfordUniversity on Monday pre-sented crucial Phase 3 interimresults which show that it is“effective” at preventing Covid-19 and offers a high level ofprotection from the deadlyvirus.

New Delhi: The Delhi HighCourt on Monday declined toentertain a plea seeking direc-tions to the AAP Governmentto immediately place the cityunder lockdown in view of therising Covid-19 cases and airpollution levels, saying thepetition was “half-baked” and“unnecessary”.

HC DECLINES �HALF-BAKED�PLEA FOR IMMEDIATELOCKDOWN IN DELHI

OXFORD UNIVERSITYVACCINE �EFFECTIVE� ATPREVENTING COVID-19;SHOWS 70% PROTECTION

Covid -ve report must for entering MahaThose from NCR, Guj, Raj, Goa must carry RT-PCR -ve report with them

At least 5 die ofCovid every hourin Delhi in 24 hrs

MBBS students,dentists to assistin Covid-19 care

Bunkers, roads,dwelling units ineastern sector ofLAC besides Ladakh

China�s mad infra push along LAC alarms India AIMIM leaders join TMC tostop minority votes� division

Kerala puts on holdchanges in PoliceAct after criticism

Gogoi succumbs to post-Covid disease

TARUN GOGOIAPRIL 1, 1936 � NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Capital�s air slips to �very poor� aswind loses speed

A health worker collects samples from a passenger for the Covid-19 test, ascoronavirus cases surge across Delhi, at ISBT Kashmere Gate in New Delhi onMonday Ranjan Dimri | Pioneer

STATES TOTAL CASES DEATHS RECOVEREDMaharashtra 17,84,361 46,653 16,54,793Karnataka 8,74,555 11,678 8,38,150Andhra Pradesh 8,62,758 6,948 8,42,416Tamil Nadu 7,71,619 11,622 7,47,752Kerala 5,67,204 2,072 4,99,338Delhi 5,34,317 8,512 4,88,476Uttar Pradesh 5,28,833 7,582 4,97,475West Bengal 4,59,918 8,072 4,26,816Odisha 3,14,629 1,710 3,06,726Telangana 2,64,128 1,433 2,51,468Rajasthan 2,47,168 2,181 2,20,871Bihar 2,31,044 1,227 2,24,701Chhattisgarh 2,23,436 2,732 1,99,311Haryana 2,19,963 2,216 1,97,335Assam 2,11,682 975 2,07,525Gujarat 1,98,899 3,876 1,81,287

CASES: 91,74,876DEATHS: 1,34,213RECOVERED:86,00,808 ACTIVE: 4,37,778

Covid-19IN INDIATOTAL

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*Late City Vol. 30 Issue 326*Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable

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