News Analysis India

Tag: Maha Kumbh

  • COVID-19: Gujarat makes RT-PCR test must for Kumbh returnees

    By PTI
    JAMNAGAR (Gujarat): People returning to Gujarat after attending the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar will have to undergo an RT-PCR test before they are allowed to enter their respective cities and villages, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Saturday.

    The ongoing Kumbh, which has seen lakhs of people from different parts of the country and seers attending the auspicious event in large numbers, has drawn flak from various quarters as the number of COVID-19 cases has zoomed at a rapid pace in the past few weeks.

    The event has also reported the coronavirus cases in large numbers.

    “Collectors of all districts in Gujarat have been directed to keep a watch on the Kumbh Mela returnees and enforce a nakabandi’ (security checking) to prevent their entry in their hometowns without undergoing an RT-PCR test,” Rupani told reports in Jamnagar.

    He said every returnee from the Kumbh congregation will have to undergo the RT-PCR test in Gujarat.

    “Officials have been directed to isolate those people who are found infected during the testing,” the CM added.

    “(To stem the spread of the virus) the people who went to attend the Kumbh Mela will not be given entry into their hometowns or villages without undergoing tests.

    Collectors of all the districts have been directed to identify the Kumbh returnees,” said Rupani.

    The CM along with his deputy Nitin Patel was in Jamnagar to review the coronavirus situation along with the local MP, MLAs and senior officials.

    Rupani also said 25,000 to 30,000 hospital beds were added in a very short period across Gujarat to treat coronavirus positive patients.

    “At present, there are 75,000 beds at various facilities in Gujarat,” the chief minister said.

    Acknowledging the shortage of hospital beds in cities and the difficulties faced by people, Rupani said 10,000 more beds will be added in the next 15 days.

    ‘In Jamnagar too, we will add 370 beds very soon.

    We will also increase the number of ambulances and the mortuary vans soon,” he added.

    Gujarat on Friday added the highest number of 8,920 new coronavirus positive cases in a day, taking the tally to 3,84,688, while a record 94 patients died due to the infection which raised the toll to 5,170, as per the state health department.

  • RT-PCR must at Maha Kumbh, says Uttarakhand HC

    By Express News Service
    DEHRADUN:  The Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday directed that RT-PCR test report will be mandatory for everyone visiting Haridwar for the Mahakumbh.

    A division bench of Chief Justice RS Chauhan and Justice Alok Verma said the state government should ensure that SOPs issued by the Centre and state are strictly implemented.

    The government must ensure that no pilgrim/visitor is allowed to enter the Haridwar and Rishikesh Kumbh Mela areas and the state “until and unless the person carries a certificate indicating he/she is not Covid-19 positive”.

  • Digvijaya Singh takes dig at Centre over Kumbh amidst rising Covid-19 cases

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday took a jibe at the Centre over allowing lakhs of people to gather in Uttarakhand for Kumbh in view of rising COVID-19 cases.

    “While there is a ban on cricket fans to go to the stadium to enjoy a match, lakhs of devotees are being allowed to congregate in Uttarakhand’s Kumbh. Thanks!” Singh tweeted.

    As many as 24,492 new COVID-19 cases and 131 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of active cases in the country to 2,23,432, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on Tuesday.

    On Monday in a late-night press statement, it was announced that in the wake of sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has decided to organise remaining T20 International Matches between India and England at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad behind closed doors without audiences.

    The matches slated to be played on March 16, 18 and 20 will be played in closed doors without spectators.

    Also, on Monday, Uttrakhand chief minister had said that a COVID-19 report would not be necessary to participate in the upcoming ‘shahi snans’ (holy bath) during the Kumbh Mela.

    “I had asked not to stop people from coming here but they must follow COVID guideline. Devotees were afraid that they will not be allowed to enter if their COVID report will not negative on which I confirmed, the report is not needed,” said Rawat said.

    “Around 32-33 lakh devotees people participated in first ‘shahi snan’ and they left for their home peacefully. However, the upcoming three ‘snans’ will be challenging. We have increased bus services four times to help people reach

    Kumbh Mela easily from the border,” he added.The Uttarakhand government has decided to limit the Kumbh this year to 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Maha Kumbh is celebrated in a cycle of 12 years at four river-bank pilgrimage sites across India. 

  • Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat visits Mahakumbh as party hunts for his Assembly seat

    Express News Service
    DEHRADUN: After Tirath Singh Rawat was sworn in as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, the hunt for a state Assembly seat for the new CM has begun. 

    Rawat is Lok Sabha MP from Pauri Garhwal seat of Uttarakhand and within six months he will be required to become a member of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

    A senior BJP leader told The New Indian Express, “Two seats are being discussed for the new CM – Chaubattakhal seat from where state tourism minister Satpal Maharaj is the MLA and Doiwala seat from Dehradun which is represented by former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat. Any of the two leaders vacating the seat will be contesting Lok Sabha by-elections from Pauri Garhwal seat.”

    However, Satpal Maharaj, state cabinet minister refuting any such possibility said, “There are no such instructions from the senior party leaders. These are just baseless rumours. People of Chaubattakhal have bestowed their love upon me. I cannot abandon them.”

    Sources from the party also confirmed that a total of 11 ministers can take oath on Friday filling all 12 cabinet berths including the CM himself.

    “The leadership of the party and the CM are in sync with regard to the decision of filling all the cabinet berths. This will help him balance the dissenting faction of the party which is crucial for upcoming state asabhy elections in the year 2022,” said the party insider. 

    Meanwhile, after taking charge as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand on Wednesday, Tirath Singh Rawat visited Haridwar Mahakumbh on Thursday. 

    He met seers and saints of Akhadas in the holy city. For the first time ever, the Kinnar Akhada along with other Akhadas participated in Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) of Mahakumbh. 

    As per instructions of the CM, flowers were showered on devotees attending the Shahi Snan on the occasion of Mahashivratri. 

    According to official sources, more than 25 lakh people participated in the royal bath which is considered auspicious by the devotees.

    Sanjay Gunjyal, inspector general of police, Kumbh Mela said, “Arrangements have made to ensure that the congregation is without any hassle and safe. Upto 25 lakh people have taken dip into Holy Ganga till today evening.”

    More than 5,000 security personnel have been deployed for Mahakumbh along with CCTV cameras and drones to boost security. 

    According to the standard operating procedures of the Mahakumbh released by the state government, all the pilgrims attending the religious congregation mandatorily carry negative RT-PCR test report. 

    They also need to register online registration at https://dsclservices.org.in/kumbh/ to get e-passes.