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Rajasthan: Remedesivir distribution using state govt machinery causing chaos, say private hospitals

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Rajasthan: Remedesivir distribution using state govt machinery causing chaos, say private hospitals

Amidst the growing demand for Remedesivir injections, doctors at private hospitals in Rajasthan have alleged that the distribution of the injection is suffering because of bureaucratic mess. According to the Times of India, doctors in Rajasthan are criticizing the Rajasthan state government for not formulating a distribution plan vis-a-vis Remedesivir.

“Let doctors treating Covid patients decide who need Remdesivir injection. In this distribution, those who actually need it are been deprived. I think it is high time when the state government and health authorities should think and plan the distribution accordingly. Come and sit at our hospitals to see how patients and their attendants are suffering,” said Dr. Sanjeev Gupta, a senior physician who owns a private hospital in Jaipur.

Doctors at private hospitals have been raising concerns over the state government’s decision to take over the Remedesivir supply and authorize bureaucrats to handle the distribution to private hospitals. On the other hand, a government hospital like Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) has limited stock of Remedesivir, using it judiciously on patients.

“We are giving Remdesivir to only those who HRCT score is above 8 and where the virus is progressing. For those having HRCT below 8 or around 5 to 7 are not been given because they don’t need it,” said a RUHS physician in the TOI report.

Dr. Ajeet Singh, superintendent of RUHS, makes it clear as to when a Covid patient needs a Remedesivir injection, “We know which patient needs it and who don’t. So, let us decide. We have to overcome this panic situation. Those whose HRCT score is above 10 urgently require it and are being given.”

However, doctors at private hospitals like Fortis, Eternal, CK Birla, and Narayana have recounted their struggles to secure Remedesivir.

“I know people using their influence are getting the injection for patients having HRCT score of 6 or below. And mind you this injection is not a magic. Only thing we need to check is the progression of virus in the body of the patient,” said a doctor at a private hospital, as per the TOI report.

Union govt allows conversion of liquid nitrogen tankers to liquid oxygen tankers, PESO issues detailed guidelines

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Union govt allows conversion of liquid nitrogen tankers to liquid oxygen tankers, PESO issues detailed guidelines

As the country faces the second wave of the Covid-19 crises, shortages of oxygen have been reported from several states. Apart from the shortage of oxygen, another problem the country is facing is the shortage of tankers suitable to transport and store oxygen, especially liquid oxygen. As a result, Liquid Nitrogen Gas Tankers have been converted to Liquid Oxygen Tankers.

As this conversion is a dangerous process, the government of India proposed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the conversion of used LNG tankers for Oxygen service. Noting that such conversion inherent risk and against the international practice, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) has issued the SOP for the user industry.

In its memo, the department said that the industries had proposed conversion of LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) tanker to Oxygen service. As of now, there are 138 such tankers in the country. PESO said that traditionally the conversion was not agreed by the department to carry and transport liquid Oxygen due to the risks. However, due to extreme emergency requirement to transport liquid Oxygen, the department has issued the guidelines to be followed to convert the tankers.

It may be noted that the govt had allowed the conversion of cylinders of inert gases to oxygen cylinders in April last year, and the SOP for the same was issued. Now the same has been allowed for tankers.

PESO said, “Since such conversion is not a safe practice and not followed internationally, extreme precaution has to be taken by the applicant for such conversion. The conditions set forth by PESO in view of the above extreme exigencies.” The guidelines issued by the PESO includes:

  • In its proposed SOP, PESO said that during the conversion process, the tanker should be warmed up and purged with hydrocarbon free nitrogen. The hydrocarbon vapour concentration must be reduced to 0.01%.
  • It is essential to ensure inlet of the vaporizer coil/pump suction filter and any other points of the system are free from hydrocarbon.
  • Only a competent and experienced person will be allowed to supervise the conversion.
  • All valves, piping works, filling and sampling hoses and pump assembly must be made up to the Oxygen compatible material.
  • Purged gas analysis shall be carried out, and samples to be taken for the consistent concentration of hydrocarbon vapour less than 1PPM, and the process must be repeated three times.
  • The department said that PESO should be informed while deciding on the conversion of LNG tanker for oxygen supply. The applicant should submit a declaration to PESO for acceptance and issue of commissioning permission to use tanker for Oxygen service. The authorized signatory will be solely responsible for compliance with the conditions laid down by PESO.

The complete set of proposed guidelines can be read here.

Relaxation of rules announced for oxygen cylinders and tankers

The government of India has also announced relaxation in rules for oxygen cylinders and cryogenic vessels. In its memo issued on April 26, PESO said that due to high stress on the mobility of liquid Oxygen within the country as well as the availability of gas cylinders, relaxation in the Rules had been considered by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

The department extended the licenses for cylinders that were due testing on March 31 or up to June 30 under Gas Cylinder Rules 2016 to June 30 2021. The cryogenic vessels for storage of liquid Oxygen and for transportation of liquid Oxygen, liquid nitrogen & liquid argon, which are due for testing between March 30 to June 30, will remain operational till June 30 if they have valid license and certificate under Rule 18 & 19 of the SMPV (U) Rules, 2016. The date for a license has also been extended to June 30.

SOP for conversion of Nitrogen, Argon, Helium cylinders for Oxygen supply

Earlier in April last year, PESO had issued SOP for conversion of Nitrogen, Argon, Helium cylinders for Oxygen supply. The department said that the tanker should always be warmed up and purged with hydrocarbon-free nitrogen before being filled with Oxygen. Any conversion shall be covered either by a Work Permit or a Management of Change (MOC) order.

Operators must check the equipment to confirm that there has not been any contamination of the cylinders. The inner vessel should be designed and constructed for oxygen service, e.g. stainless steel or 9% nickel alloy. All valves, pipework, filling and sampling hoses, and pump assembly are of Oxygen compatible materials. The pump and its accessories are suitable for the required application after conversion, e.g. oxygen compatible gearbox oil.

After the purging of the cylinders, the loading and off-loading connector shall be replaced according to the desired product. The use of adaptors should be limited and, if possible, eliminated. All adaptors should have IDs legibly marked on a visible surface. Adapters must be permanently constructed by means such as welding, silver soldering or brazing so that parts cannot inadvertently become detached while being used. Worn out or damaged adapters must be withdrawn from service. As a minimum, adaptors should be of compatible material, cleaned for Oxygen service and having a valid pressure test certificate. Complete SOP can be read here.

Covid situation in India

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India reported 3,62,913 new Covid-19 cases on April 27. The total number of cases reported so far stands at 1,79,88,793. There are 29,71,959 active cases in the country. 1,48,08,006 patients have recovered out of which 2,62,339 were discharged on April 27. So far 2,01,166 people have lost their lives out of which 3,286 died on Monday.

Nearly 64000 beds and 4000 covid care coaches readied by Railway Ministry for utilization by states

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Nearly 64000 beds and 4000 covid care coaches readied by Railway Ministry for utilization by states

As the nation battles with the second wave of coronavirus, several ministries, corporations, and organizations have come together to deal with the crisis. In an exemplary feat achieved by the Ministry of Railways, nearly 64,000 beds and 4000 Covid care coaches have been made available for the utilization of various states. 

As per a Ministry of Railways release, around 169 coaches have already been handed over to various states for Covid care. The Railways has now received a demand from Nagpur which has been recording around 6000 new coronavirus cases daily. 

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Divisional Railway Manager, Nagpur and Commissioner of Nagpur Municipal Corporation to materialize the agreement at the earliest. 

The Railways is set to deploy a Covid care rake with 11 coaches, consisting of modified sleepers with each coach having a capacity to accommodate at least 16 patients. Additionally, the coaches will be equipped with all the necessary medical infrastructure to be provided by the State Health Authorities. 

The railways will also carve out a space for utility area for medical personnel in line with MoU along with taking care of sanitation and catering arrangements.

The state of Maharashtra has also placed a demand for mobilising Isolation Coaches at Ajni ICD area. 

Already operational Covid care coaches

The Railways covid care facility at Nandurbar with nearly 94 coaches which was made available in mid April is currently tending to 57 patients.

The Covid care coaches have also been mobilized at Nagpur, Bhopal, Ajni ICD, Tihi (Near Indore) as per states’ demand. 

Railways Covid care coaches data. Image Source: My Gov Twitter handle

Fitted with oxygen cylinders, around 320 beds have been arranged by the Indian Railways in 20 Covid care coaches at Tihi, near Indore.

Enhancing Delhi’s capacity to manage the enormous influx of patients needing Covid-19 treatment, the Railway has fulfilled the Delhi government’s demand for 75 Covid Care coaches with a capacity of 1200 beds by installing 50 coaches at Shakurbasti and 25 Coaches at Anand Vihar stations.

The latest records reveal that the above-mentioned states have cumulatively registered 98 admissions with 28 subsequent discharges.

Even as Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state, Sonia Gandhi says she is satisfied with the way MVA govt handled the Covid-19 crisis

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Even as Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state, Sonia Gandhi says she is satisfied with the way MVA govt handled the Covid-19 crisis

India is staggering under the resurgent wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, with over 3.6 lakh cases reported on Wednesday and more than 3,200 fatalities. A lion’s share of this devastation could be chalked up to the western state of Maharashtra, which has so far racked up 4.34 million cases and over 65,000 deaths. The state has been consistently adding more than 50,000 new cases daily in the last couple of weeks. But for Sonia Gandhi, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra is doing just fine.

The interim Congress president on Tuesday said that she is satisfied with the way the Maharashtra government has handled the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. Lavishing praises on the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, in which Congress is an alliance partner, Sonia Gandhi said she is pleased with the “professional and transparent handling of the pandemic”. This was revealed by state revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, who is also the state Congress chief.

“Sonia Gandhi spoke to me at length on state government measures to tackle the situation. She expressed satisfaction over handling the crisis. She instructed that the vaccination drive should be expedited and vaccinations should be completed in a time-bound period,” Thorat said in an interview with the TOI.

While Sonia Gandhi expressed her satisfaction over the way Maharashtra handled the COVID-19 outbreak and reportedly urged Balasaheb Thorat to speed up the vaccination process, it is pertinent to note that Maharashtra is yet to take a decision on the vaccination drive for the population aged 18-45 that is set to begin from May 1.

A cabinet meeting is scheduled to take on Wednesday during which the Maha Vikas Aghadi government will take the decision over starting the vaccination drive for the people in the age group of 18-45.

Even as Sonia Gandhi lauds the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, there have been several instances when the state government has come under criticism for inept handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Migrant labours in Maharashtra left in the lurch as lockdown forces them to repatriate back to their villages

For over a month now, Maharashtra has been virtually under lockdown. While Uddhav Thackeray announced strict restrictions and imposition of Section 144 starting April 15, the state was almost under lockdown since April 3 as the coronavirus caseloads started rising at an alarming rate.

The specter of another wave of lockdown triggered a palpable sense of panic among the migrant population that was arguably the worst hit by the pandemic when it started in March last year. There was growing anxiety among the migrant labour in the city as they queued up at various bus stands and railway stations to board buses and trains to get back to their native places before the imposition of an inevitable lockdown. The migrants were left to fend for themselves as the Maha Vikas Aghadi did not announce relief measures for them before announcing the lockdown.

Shortages of beds, oxygen, and key antiviral drugs in Maharashtra

The situation in Maharashtra is particularly dire, with cities across the length and breadth of the state reporting an upsurge in coronavirus cases. Hospitals throughout the states have been swamped with COVID-19 patients as the state government scrambles to get private institutes and other medical centers to admit coronavirus patients.

The surge in coronavirus caseloads in Maharashtra also meant that the state is facing acute shortages in the availability of supplemental oxygen. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray yesterday pointed out the scarcity of oxygen during his address to the state.

Testing backlog in Maharashtra in the wake of a sharp uptick in the COVID-19 cases

Even testing capabilities are under tremendous strain due to the inexorable rise in a number of coronavirus cases. Many testing centres have been witnessing serpentine queues as people suspicious of being infected are lining up to get themselves tested for Covid-19.

This has naturally created a backlog in testing at several laboratories across the state. The spike in Covid-19 cases precipitated by the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and state guidelines mandating negative RT-PCR tests for those working in public transportation, home delivery services, film shoots, roadside eateries, and other categories have likely played a crucial role in exacerbating the testing backlog in the state.

The routine occurrence of hospital mishaps in Maharashtra

In a distressing event, an ambulance was found ferrying 22 dead bodies of Covid patients stashed one above the other from a hospital to the crematorium in Ambajogai in the Beed district of Maharashtra. 

Also, the condition of the state’s health infrastructure is worsening by the day. Thane district of Maharashtra reported yet another case of hospital fire in the wee hours of Wednesday. 3 patients are said to have succumbed after the fire engulfed the hospital.

Several hospitals in Maharashtra have reported fire incidents recently, killing dozens of people. Last week, a fire in a Virar hospital had killed 13 persons, a day after the leakage in an oxygen tanker took 23 lives at a hospital in Nashik.

Maharashtra: Fire breaks out in pharma company in Ratnagiri district, no casualties reported

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Maharashtra: Fire breaks out in pharma company in Ratnagiri district, no casualties reported

Hours after a massive fire claimed four lives in Thane hospital, a fire broke out in a pharmaceutical company, MR Pharma in Ratnagiri’s MIDC.

The fire has now been extinguished. As of now, no injuries or casualties are reported.

This is fifth such fire incident in Maharashtra in past one month. Earlier fires have been in hospitals where some COVID as well as non-COVID critical patients lost their lives.

Maharashtra govt had fired 25% of contractual health workers in January thinking Covid-19 is over, faces shortage of staff now

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Maharashtra govt had fired 25% of contractual health workers in January thinking Covid-19 is over, faces shortage of staff now

The Maharashtra government in January this year laid off 25 percent of contractual health staff with a one-day termination notice thinking the Covid-19 crisis is over. As the cases in the state began to decline, the MVA government asked the health workers who were hired on a contract basis during the month of April last year under the National Health Mission to leave abruptly. 

This move made them ineligible for the vaccination drive that was to begin for the frontline workers. Pramod Kate, president of Corona Yodha Karamchari Parishad said, “We came to work as the chief minister had made an appeal for people to come forward and help. At that time, permanent staff at the hospitals were not turning up for their work, but we didn’t care for our families and worked with Covid patients. What we are getting in return is one day notice before termination. We demand the government to reinstate us and give permanent jobs,” added Kate. 

Out of these 10,000 contractual staff members, 1,000 were employed at various hospitals in Mumbai while more than 5000 were hired in East Vidarbha. 

Pooja Doiphode,who worked with BMC’s E ward as a multi-purpose worker narrated, “When we joined, we had put our families at risk. Many of us also tested positive for Covid-19. We worked at a time when nobody was ready to come out of their houses. We spent hours in PPE kits and moved Covid positive bodies. We deserve a dignified treatment rather than asked to leave when requirement is over.”

The health workers were appointed in the categories of doctors, anesthesiologists, medical officers, hospital managers, nurses, x-ray technicians, ECG technicians, laboratory technicians, drug manufacturers, storekeepers, data entry operators, ward boys to manage the influx of patients at Covid-19 hospitals and Covid care facilities. 

The workers had staged several protests across the state demanding permanent employment for their uninterrupted and selfless service. 

The contractual health workers staged a protest in January at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan

Maharashtra faces shortage of staff

However, the layoff backfired for the government as the state was starved of the healthcare workforce with the advent of the second wave of the coronavirus.

Maharashtra which was one of the states to be hit by the sudden surge in new coronavirus cases first is facing an acute shortage of healthcare workers currently. 

Union Health Minister Rajesh Bhushan raised an alarm with the Maharashtra government over its unsatisfactory performance early this month. The minister wrote to the state of Maharashtra to accelerate the hiring of contractual workers. “Acute shortage of healthcare workforce has been reported by the teams from Aurangabad, Nandurabar, Yawatmal, Satara, Palghar, Jalgaon, Jalna Districts,” he informed in the letter.

Read- Maharashtra suffers as MVA leadership sinks to low-level politics in crisis

Bhushan also criticized Maharashtra’s lethargic approach towards the second wave of the pandemic. Basis feedback received from the central team, Bhushan wrote, “Containment operations were found to be sub-optimal in Satara, Sangli and Aurangabad, with less than satisfactory perimeter control…Efforts at surveillance and contact tracing were found to be sub-optimal in Buldhana, Satara, Aurangabad and Nanded, mostly due to limited manpower engaged in this task.”

Maharashtra reported 66,358 new coronavirus cases and 895 fatalities on Tuesday taking the total death toll to 66,179. 

CM of India’s richest state yet to take decision on free vaccines as the nation gears up for Chinese coronavirus vaccination

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CM of India’s richest state yet to take decision on free vaccines as the nation gears up for Chinese coronavirus vaccination

The confusion around Maharashtra’s vaccination drive continues to loom with the MVA leaders sharing fragmented updates. 

On Tuesday Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar informed that a decision over whether the state government will allow free administration of the Covid-19 vaccine to all residents above the age of 18 is yet to be taken by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. 

“I have signed a proposal for free vaccines. The chief minister will decide based on the interest of the people. Tomorrow, in the cabinet meeting, we will discuss the issue of global tenders for vaccine procurement,” Pawar said in a media interaction. 

With just three days to go for the commencement of the Phase 03 vaccination drive in India, the MVA government is likely to take a decision in this regard by 12:30 pm this afternoon. 

Aditya Thackeray retracts Tweet

Adding to the confusion, Shiv Sena yuva leader Aditya Thackeray on April 25 had announced through Twitter that the government of Maharashtra has decided to vaccinate its citizens free of cost. The tweet read, “This is not something we think of as a choice, but a duty that we consider of utmost importance.”

Aditya Thackeray’s deleted Tweet on vaccines

The Tweet was deleted within a span of 30 minutes. Aditya Thackeray soon put out another Tweet apologizing to the citizens for creating confusion and said, “The official policy of vaccination will be declared by the empowered committee and we must await it’s recommendation for a fair policy for all sections of society.”

Maharashtra might witness a delay in vaccination drive

In another update, the BMC on Tuesday announced that inoculation of beneficiaries from the 18-44 age group will be carried out only at private vaccination centres in Mumbai.

Registration for vaccination for all those aged 18-44 years will begin at 4 pm today, however, the citizens of Maharashtra are yet not sure whether or not do they have to pay for the vaccine dose when made available. 

The state health officials also cited a possibility of delay in commencing the Phase 03 vaccination due to the ongoing shortage of vaccine doses. Mumbai’s jumbo Covid-19 vaccination facility was seen shut today due to the non-availability of the stock.

The centre will open for vaccination as soon as the stock is replenished, informed the BMC.

BJP MLAs demand Tripura DM’s suspension over wedding raid till investigation is completed, CM Biplab Deb asks for report

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BJP MLAs demand Tripura DM’s suspension over wedding raid till investigation is completed, CM Biplab Deb asks for report

As many as 5 BJP MLAs have written a letter to the Chief Secretary of the state Manoj Kumar to demand immediate suspension of West District Magistrate Shailesh Kumar Yadav for his “absolutely boorish” and “uncultured behaviour” in two marriage parties in the name of enforcing COVID protocol.

“We the members of Tripura Legislative Assembly would like to draw your attention to absolutely boorish and uncultured behaviour DM (west) Shailesh Kumar Yadav and the state terrorism indulged by him last night in the ‘Manikya Court’ and ‘Golap Bagan’, in the name of enforcing COVID protocol though both the marriage parties were being organised in full compliance with the COVID protocol notified by Centre and DM (West)”, the letter informed.

The letter was signed by five ruling BJP MLAs—Dibachandra Hrangkhwal,  Ashish Kumar Saha, Ramprasad Paul, Sushanta Chowdhury, and Ashis Das.

The letter by the BJP MLAs

The five MLAs, in their letter, alleged that DM Shailesh Kumar Yadav had himself given permission for both the wedding ceremonies with the conditions that not more than 50 people can attend the marriage and four vehicles each would be allowed for which car passes had been issued. The letter alleged that both the marriages were conducted in full compliance with the COVID-19 protocols and regulations notified by the Centre and the state government and yet the DM raided and physically assaulted and abused the people, including the bride and the groom.

“But the DM with his security guards suddenly materialized in the marriage halls and started threatening and intimidating all and sundry including elderly people as to why they were organizing the marriage party in violation of COVID protocol. When the letter of permission given earlier by the DM was produced Shailesh Yadav tore it up on the face of those attending the marriage party”, it reads.

It further said, “…Shailesh Yadav physically assaulted the bride & groom, physically pushed out the elderly priest and also jostled all elderly people using vile abuses. He also openly abused the police personnel, manhandled police on uniform and declared that he would have the officer-in-charge of West Agartala police station suspended. Finally he proclaimed that all those present in the marriage parties would be proceeded against under different sections of IPC and CrPc. Even the women present on the occasion were not spared from misbehaviour by the DM (west).”

The letter by the BJP MLAs

The letter alleged that all the guests, including women were taken to the police station and when the arrests were being made, not a single women police officer was present at the spot, violating the order of Supreme Court that no women can be arrested in the midst of night.

“We urge upon your kind self to order a high-level investigation into the matter and suspend Shailesh Yadav from service pending completion of investigation. This is urgently needed in public interest before Shailesh Yadav who is unfit to hold the responsible post of DM is removed from this post,” the MLAs demanded.

Chief Minister Biplab Deb has taken cognizance of the incident and instructed the Chief Secretary to submit a report of the entire matter.

Tripura DM Shailesh Yadav raids wedding, thrashes guests, beats up Purohit, grabs groom by collar

In a brazen display of highhandedness, Tripura West District Magistrate (DM) Dr Shailesh Kumar Yadav on Monday was seen dragging a groom and a priest by their collar, thrashing the guests, while ordering the police to arrest them all for violating COVID-19 norms. The incident reportedly happened at around 11 pmat Manikya Court in Palace Compound, North Gate area in Agartala, Tripura.

In a video that went viral on social media, Yadav enters a hall where a wedding ceremony was underway. Yadav in a firm voice orders attendees to vacate the hall. “Chalo bahar niklo”, says the West DM Yadav and the state police officials accompanying him threaten the guests to leave or face consequences.

Speaking to the media, Yadav said that all the people assembled at the wedding hall had violated prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC and would be prosecuted under Section 188 of the IPC.

Following the incident, Shailesh Kumar Yadav ordered the closure of two marriage halls in Agartala, for flouting COVID-10 norms, for 1 year and the suspension of the Officer-in-Charge of the West Agartala police station for being hand in gloves with the flouters.

Tripura DM brazens out his decision of thrashing guests at wedding before eventually apologising for the same

Tripura West District Magistrate (DM) Dr Shailesh Kumar Yadav came under criticism from several quarters, especially for his use of force against the guests who had come to attend the wedding. However, unfettered by the blowback, Yadav was later seen brazening out his decision of thrashing guests at the wedding. He invoked ‘principles of natural justice’ when questioned regarding the atrocious conduct with the guests.

However, as the situation got out of control, the District Magistrate tender his apologies for the incident. “If anyone got hurt due to my action, I am apologising for that. I have done this for the larger interest of society and the people. I have taken the strict action to give a message to the people to maintain the government SOP,” Yadav told local television on Tuesday night.

LG Anil Baijal becomes the ‘government’ in Delhi as Centre notifies amended GNCTD Act: Details

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LG Anil Baijal becomes the ‘government’ in Delhi as Centre notifies amended GNCTD Act: Details

As New Delhi, India’s sprawling capital of over 20 million people is in the midst of a catastrophic COVID-19 outbreak, lieutenant governor (L-G) Anil Baijal is now the ‘government’ in the Union territory after the Centre notified the amended Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 on Tuesday.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act 2021 (15 of 2021), the Central Government hereby appoints the 27th April 2021 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the notification signed by additional secretary in the MHA, Govind Mohan, said.

GNCTD Act notified

According to the Act, the government in Delhi means the ‘Lieutenant Governor’ and it is incumbent now on the Arvind Kejriwal government to seek the opinion of the Lt Governor before taking any executive action in the city.

The bill was passed in the parliament last month—Lok Sabha on March 22 and Rajya Sabha on 24. It is brought into force in the wake of the deteriorating coronavirus crisis in the city, where people are struggling to find beds, oxygen supply is running short and there is shortages of key life-saving drugs.

Provisions of Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 

The new law states that the Delhi assembly continues to make laws on all subjects in the state list and concurrent list except public order, police and land. Under the new law, the Delhi government will now have to seek the lieutenant governor’s opinion before any executive action after the passage of the bill.

The new law says, “When a bill has been passed by the legislative assembly, it shall be presented to the lieutenant governor and the lieutenant governor shall declare either that he assents to the bill or that he withholds assent therefrom or that he reserves the bill for the consideration of the president.”

The law also proscribes chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi government to make any rule to enable itself or its Committees to consider the matters of day-to-day administration of the Capital or conduct inquiries in relation to the administrative decisions.

The amended law gives discretionary powers to the L-G even in matters where the Legislative Assembly of Delhi is empowered to make laws. The GNCTD (Amendment) Act, 2021 also ensures that the L-G is “necessarily granted an opportunity” to give her or his opinion before any decision taken by the Council of Ministers (or the Delhi Cabinet) is implemented.

Shocking visuals emerge after a massive earthquake hits Assam

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Shocking visuals emerge after a massive earthquake hits Assam

On April 28, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on Richter Scale hit Assam and other parts of Northeast India. Two strong aftershocks were also reported within minutes. Reports suggest that the epicentre of the earthquake was Tezpur, Assam. The tremors were felt in the Northeast extended up to North Bengal.

National Centre of Seismology said that an earthquake of Magnitude 6.4 originated in Sonitpur, district Tezpur, Assam, at 17 KM. The first tremor was recorded at 7:51 AM. So far, NCS has reported five aftershocks of magnitude 4.7 at 8:03 AM, magnitude 4 at 8:13 AM, magnitude 3.6 at 8:25 AM, magnitude 3.6 at 8:44 AM and magnitude 3.2 at 10:05 AM.

Visuals of the damage emerge on social media

Soon after the earthquake, the social media platforms were filled with visuals of the damage caused by the earthquake.

A road in Sonitpur, the epicentre of the earthquake, developed a crack due to the impact.

Reports suggest that the earthquake lasted for 30 seconds.

A building in Nagaon tilted against its adjacent building.

Part of Bhairabkunda hill in Udalguri district in Assam broke away after the earthquake.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Assam CM Sonowal to take updates. In a tweet, he said, “Spoke to Assam CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal Ji regarding the earthquake in parts of the state. Assured all possible help from the Centre. I pray for the well-being of the people of Assam.”

CM Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Big earthquake hits Assam. I pray for the well-being of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts.”

Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Have spoken to the Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Sarbanand Sonwal ji, to assess the condition in different parts of the state after an earthquake. The central government stands firmly with our sisters and brothers of Assam. Praying for everyone’s safety and well-being.”

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also tweeted about the quake. He said, “Just experienced a massive earthquake in Assam. Waiting for details”.

So far, no causalities have been reported.

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