News Analysis India

Tag: Disaster Management Act

  • COVID-19: Centre advises states to curb mass gatherings in view of upcoming festivals

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: In view of upcoming festivals, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to all states to actively consider the imposition of local restrictions to curb mass gatherings.

    Bhushan said that some states still reflect signs of an upsurge in their daily cases and positivity.

    The letter read, “At the outset, let me appreciate your continued leadership and guidance to curb the spread of Covid cases in the country during the second wave of COVID19. Even though the trajectory of daily new cases has shown a steady decline over the last month, there are a few States which still reflect signs of upsurge in their daily cases and positivity,”

    “In this regard, directions issued under Disaster Management Act by MHA vide letter dated June 29, for focussed containment measures may kindly be referred to,” it read.

    “In light of this Order, and in view of upcoming festivals, such as Muharram 19th August), Onam (21st August), Janmashtami (30th August), Ganesh Chaturthi (10th Sep.) and Durga Puja (5th – 15th October 2021) etc, where large public gatherings are expected, it is advised that States may actively consider imposition of local restrictions in public observation of these festivals and curb mass gatherings,” Bhushan added in the letter.

    It added, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have expressed concern regarding the potential of mass gathering events during festivals turning into super spreader events, thereby leading to a spike in Covid cases. This was earlier communicated to the States vide letter dated 20th July 2021 of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    India on Wednesday reported 42,625 new COVID-19 cases, 36,668 recoveries and 562 deaths in 24 hours, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    An increase of 12,076 cases was recorded in the daily infections since Tuesday when 30,549 new cases were reported.

    With this, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases has reached 3,17,69,132 including 3,09,33,022 discharges and 4,25,757 deaths.

    The number of active cases has gone up to 4,10,353, accounting for 1.29 per cent of the total number of cases. 

  • Pune cops book organizers of NCP event for COVID-19 norm violations

    By PTI
    PUNE: An offence was registered for alleged COVID-19 norm violations on Sunday after NCP workers gathered a day earlier in Pune for the inauguration of a new party office, police said.

    The inauguration event took place in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and other party leaders, an official said.

    “While the organizers sought police permission claiming 100 to 150 people would attend, the actual crowd numbered close to 500, most of whom did not wear masks or maintain social distancing. We have booked NCP city unit president Prashant Jagtap and others under IPC, Disaster Management Act and other provisions,” a Shivajinagar police station official said.

    Jagtap on Sunday apologised and said the plan was to keep the event simple but party workers continued coming in and the crowd swelled.

    Incidentally, the violation took place on a day when Pawar, after a review meeting, had warned people against lowering their guard as it could bring about a third wave of the infection.

     

  • Dhanbad administration orders lodging of FIR against four doctors for not joining duty

    By PTI
    DHANBAD: The Dhanbad district administration has ordered lodging of FIR against four doctors under Disaster Management Act 2005 for refusing to join duty at their places of posting despite notices, an official said on Tuesday.

    Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) cum District Disaster Management (DDM) chairman Umashankar Singh said these four doctors were directed to join at Nirsa Primary Health Centre (PHC) on April 26.

    “They were again ordered to join there on April 28. But till date they have not joined”, he said.

    Besides lodging FIR, the deputy commissioner has also recommended to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Jharkhand Medical Commission for cancelling their medical practising license.

    The DC has directed Dhanbad Circle Officer (CO) cum Incident Commander Prasant Layak and Nirsa block development officer (BDO) cum Incident Commander Vikash Kumar Ray to lodge FRI against them under Section 51 B and 56 of Disaster Management Act within 24 hours.

    The order was issued on Monday evening.

    The doctors include Dr Mukesh Kumar, Dr MP Saha, Dr Sandip Kumar Kedia and Dr Sunit posted at Nirsa Community Health Centre (CHC) in the district.

    “Not joining duty questions service attitude of these doctors. Disaster Management has taken it seriously and ordered for FIR”, said the Deputy Commissioner.

    None of the doctors could be contacted for their comments as their mobile phones are switched off.

    They could not be contacted on Tuesday too for comment over not joining duty at Nirsa PHC.

    District Civil Surgeon Dr Gopal Das said he has not received any leave application from the four doctors.