MHA revises order, reserves jobs in J&K for domiciles

The central government has amended its two-day-old order and reserved all jobs in Jammu & Kashmir for the domiciles of the Union territory — people who have stayed there for at least 15 years. On April 1, while laying down the rules for domiciles, the government had reserved jobs up to group 4 only. However, following reactions from local political parties, an amended gazette notification — titled the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order-2020 — was put out on April 3 night, reserving jobs for the domiciles of the UT. Under the domicile law, anyone who has resided for 15 years in Jammu and Kashmir or has studied for seven years and appeared in Class 10 and Class 12 examinations in an educational institution located in the Union territory is a domicile.

EC further defers RS polls to 18 seats

The Election Commission said it is using its constitutional powers to defer Rajya Sabha polls to 18 seats beyond the terms of the retiring members, keeping in mind the health hazard involved due to coronavirus pandemic and the 21-day nationwide lockdown.  Elections to fill up 55 seats in the Upper House of Parliament were to be held on March 26 though 37 candidates have already been elected without a contest. Last month, the poll panel had deferred the March 26 Rajya Sabha elections citing threat of coronavirus. While 17 members from six states are retiring on April 9, one from Meghalaya is retiring on April 12. The 18 seats are spread across Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Meghalaya. “The Commission invoking its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution of India read with Section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 has further extended the period of election beyond the prescribed term(s) of above mentioned seats,” said a statement.

COVID-19 cases in India climb to 2,902

The number of COVID-19 cases in India climbed to 2,902 on April 4 while the death toll rose to 68, according to the health ministry. The figure of 2,902 includes 55 foreign nationals. The highest number of confirmed cases of the pandemic was reported from Maharashtra at 423 followed by Tamil Nadu with 411 infections. The central government issued an advisory asking people to wear “homemade face covers”, particularly when they step out of their houses in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. In the advisory, the government said the use of such masks will help in protecting the community at large, and that certain countries have claimed benefits of homemade face masks for the general public. Meanwhile, the Centre asked states to ensure smooth harvesting and sowing operations, saying agricultural activities were exempted from the 21-day lockdown. The home ministry also allowed opening of shops dealing in agricultural machinery and its spare parts, truck repair shops along highways, preferably in petrol pumps, and the tea industry, including plantations with a maximum of 50 per cent of workers, during the lockdown period.

IAF’s ‘Op Sanjeevani’ airlifts medicines to Maldives

The Indian Air Force (IAF) said that it mobilised its C-130J aircraft to airlift 6.2 tonnes of essential medical supplies for Maldives under Operation Sanjeevani, as this consignment could not be transported through usual channels due to the 21-day lockdown imposed in India for curbing the coronavirus pandemic. At the request of the government of the Maldives, the IAF aircraft lifted these medicines from airports in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Madurai before flying to the Maldives. Among other things, these medicines include influenza vaccines, antiviral drugs such as Lopthavir arid Ritonavir — which have been used to treat patients with COVID-19 in other countries — medicines for cardiac conditions, kidney ailments, hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, allergies and cancer treatment. The consignment also had medical consumables such as catheters, nebulisers, urine bags and infant feeding tubes.  

UNGA adopts resolution on COVID-19

The UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted its first resolution on the coronavirus pandemic co-sponsored by India and 187 other nations, calling for intensified global cooperation to defeat the deadly disease that is causing “severe disruption” to societies and economies. The resolution titled ‘Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)’ was the first such document on the pandemic to be adopted by the world body. The resolution, adopted on April 3, said the 193-member General Assembly notes with great concern the threat to human health, safety and well-being caused by the pandemic. The resolution called for intensified international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat the pandemic, including by exchanging information, scientific knowledge and best practices and by applying the relevant guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation.

China mourns thousands of COVID-19 victims 

China paid homage to victims of the coronavirus in the place where the global pandemic began, as Americans were warned to wear masks amid fears the disease can be spread by breathing. The advice came as the US logged another huge rise in its death toll — almost 1,500 in one day — and as new infections continued unabated. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, more than one million people have fallen ill and at least 58,000 people have died. China, which appears to be over the worst of its outbreak, held a national day of mourning for its dead — well over 3,000 people have died since the virus emerged there late last year. Trump signed an order directing his administration to stop the export to other countries of N-95 face masks and other personal protective equipment needed in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. 

Newsmaker

Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including ‘Lean On Me’, ‘Lovely Day’ and ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, passed away at the age of 81. Withers, a three-time Grammy Award winner, produced nine albums.

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