Gatherings cut to 100, Class XI exams put off

Jammu, April 17

Concerned over the spike in Covid cases, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday restricted the ceiling on social gatherings to 100 and also announced the postponement of Class XI examination.

The latest directive comes two days after the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration deferred biannual Durbar move to Srinagar, extended closure of all schools up to Class XII till April 30 along with private coaching centres. It also cancelled the ongoing Class X examination being conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE).

“In view of Covid-19, Class XI exams have been postponed. There will also be ceiling on gatherings and functions, restricting to 100 persons from the earlier 200,” the office of the Lt Governor said in a tweet. There has been a spike in Covid cases in Jammu and Kashmir over the past one month. On Friday, the UT recorded 1,144 new Covid-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 1,44,021, while two more Covid-related deaths pushed the toll to 2,048.

On April 15, the Jammu and Kashmir administration came out with a series of Covid control measures and announced deferment of the bi-annual Durbar move, over a century-old exercise under which the government functions six months each in the twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu.

The civil secretariat and other move offices, including Raj Bhavan, were scheduled to close in Jammu on April 30 to May 1 and set to begin functioning in summer capital Srinagar from May 10. — PTI

Situation worrisome, admn to blame: Cong

Jammu: J&K Congress vice-president Raman Bhalla on Saturday termed the Covid-19 situation in the UT as worrisome and claimed that the government had run out of options as it has failed to tackle the pandemic. The Congress leader demanded massive testing, tracing of contacts of Covid-19 cases and their isolation to check the spread of infection. “The administration has run out of options and has failed to tackle the pandemic,” said Bhalla while addressing a party workers’ meeting in Jammu. PTI

Panel to ensure supply of medical oxygen to hospitals

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday constituted a committee to ensure adequate and timely supply of medical oxygen to all hospitals to meet the requirements of Covid-19 patients, an official order said. The committee would be headed by the Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, the order issued by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, said. PTI