Covid surge: PMO's top priority to prevent reverse migration of workers this time

Covid surge: PMO's top priority to prevent reverse migration of workers this ...

by Argus News

New Delhi, April 9: With a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in India, preventing another reverse migration of workers, particularly from key industrial areas, seems to be the top most priority of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

In a bid to avert any panic like situation similar to that of last year, the government, including local administration and railways, are working on an elaborate plan to prevent the exodus of labourers from major cities, including Mumbai.

Top sources in the government said the local administration in industrial pockets of Mumbai and other metros have been asked to approach factory management, labour unions and concerned groups to convince the migrant workers not to get scared of the sudden resurgence.

Industrial bodies and factory managements are also being apprised of the ongoing vaccination plan which will be escalated in weeks to come and would cover industrial workers.

The PMO is concerned about the migrant workers and wants to prevent mass exodus of workers which resulted in loss of jobs and human miseries last year.

On Wednesday night, several hundred migrant workers had flocked to the railway stations at Bandra, Dadra and Churchgate, triggering fears that a mass exodus have started and may affect production in factories.

However the concerned authorities said that platforms were crowded mainly due to summer rush.

"I have spoken to IG, RPF Central Railway and IG, Western Railway in Mumbai. I want to clarify that groups of workers stayed at different railway stations because of the night curfew in Mumbai. They returned to their factories when curfew was lifted. The rush seen at platforms was mainly of waitlisted passengers boarding summer special trains," said Arun Kumar, Director General (DG) of the RPF.

He informed IANS that all efforts are being made to allay fears relating to reverse migration of workers.

"Our officers at the Western and Central Railway are coordinating with CP (Railways, Mumbai Police) and concerned authorities in industrial areas. They are being apprised of Covid protocols. Meanwhile additional special trains are being run to take care of the usual summer rush.," Kumar, a 1985 batch UP cadre IPS officer, said.

On Thursday, the DG and a team of senior officials held an important meeting with Chairman, Railway Board to further review the situation in Maharashtra, primarily Mumbai, a major railway hub in India presently facing the highest spike in cases relating to pandemic.

During March 2020, several lakh migrant workers returned to their villages, many of them reaching home on foot, as trains and local transport were shut due to nation wide lockdown.

Stories of human miseries and sufferings of migrant workers during their journey to villages had caught a large media attention.

Sources said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was perturbed over such incidents where poor labourers had to walk on foot, often without food for days.

"This time we are on alert. The government doesn't want this to happen again. All out efforts are being made at every level to prevent large scale migration of labourers. In a Covid affected economy, health of factory workers as well as the country's industrial production is our top priority," a senior officer said.

(IANS)

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5th T20I: Shreyas Iyer's Fifty Helps India Reach 160/8 Against Australia

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Bengaluru, Dec 3: Shreyas Iyer struck a 37-ball 53 to help India post a modest 160/8 against Australia in the fifth and final T20I of the bilateral series at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium here on Sunday.

While Shreyas Iyer struck five boundaries and two maximums, Jitesh Sharma hammered a 16-ball 24 and Axar Patel blasted a 21-ball 31 studded with two fours and one six as India recovered from an early collapse to post a modest title.

Having already sealed the series 3-1 in the fourth match at Raipur, India made a decent start of 33 before opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was sent back by Jason Behrendorff for 21 in the fourth over.

Fellow opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (10) was out in the next over, caught by Behrendorff off Ben Dwarshuis as India slumped to 33 for two after Australia skipper Matthew Wade won the toss and elected to bowl first in the inconsequential match.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav could manage only five runs while Rinku Singh, the hero of India's victory in the fourth match, failed for once, getting out for six runs, caught by Tim David off Tanveer Sangha.

Shreyas and Jitesh added 42 runs for the fifth wicket while he and Axar Patel raised 46 runs for the sixth wicket partnership as India reached 143/6 in the 19th over.

Brief scores:

India 160/8 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 53, Axar Patel 31, Jitesh Sharma 24; Jason Behrendorff 2-38, Ben Dwarshuis 2-30) against Australia.

(IANS)

Pooja Bhatt Wishes Falaq Naaz On Her B’day: ‘To A Lifetime Of Love, Laughter’

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Mumbai, Dec 3: Filmmaker and actress Pooja Bhatt on Sunday extended birthday wishes ‘Bigg Boss OTT 2’ contestant Falaq Naaz, and said: "To a lifetime of love, laughter, shared tears and much light."

Pooja and Falaz were seen together in ‘Bigg Boss OTT’ season 2. Taking to Instagram, Pooja shared a candid picture with Falaq and Bebika Dhurve.

The picture shows them posing in a natural retreat, with waterfall as the backdrop. Pooja is wearing a black tee shirt and leggings, while Falaq dons a sky blue cartoon print tee shirt and denim shorts.

Along with the photos, Pooja wrote: “We often look out of the same window but rarely see the same view.. and we sometimes find those people who see what we see, feel what we feel & are willing to witness life anew.”

“Happy Birthday @falaqnaazz Here's to a lifetime of love, laughter, shared tears & much light! And thank you #BiggBoss for granting me the gift of friendship amongst the many learnings & rewards you brought to my life! Forever gratetul,” added the ‘Border’ actress.

Meanwhile, on the film front, she was last seen in ‘Chup: Revenge of the artist’.

Read More Entertainment News

(IANS)

193 People Killed In IDF Attack In Last Few Hours: Gaza Health Ministry

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Tel Aviv, Dec 3: Gaza Health Ministry Spokesperson Ashraf Al Quadra on Sunday said that the IDF has killed 193 people and injuring 652 in last few hours in Gaza.

He said that the total death toll so far has reached 15,207 while 40,652 have been injured since October 7.

He said that the Israel army has also bombed the Shubra area in Gaza.

Quadra said that 70 per cent victims are children and women. “There are assaults and violations in the health sector as well,” he said.

He said that the Israeli violations against the health system resulted in the death of 280 medical staff members while injuring hundreds of them.

He said that the Israeli forces have arrested 31 medical staff members and they have deliberately targeted 130 health institutions and destroyed 20 hospitals and 46 health centers.

The Gaza Health Ministry, in a statement said, that the hospitals have lost their therapeutic and absorptive capabilities while the medical staff treat the wounded with very simple capabilities, and the wounded are lying on the ground.

It said that the IDF was deliberately targeting the ambulances leading to the destruction of 55 ambulances.

“The IDF is deliberately stifling the health system. They want to keep the medical facilities under dire need by cutting medical supplies and fuel,” the statement said.

The statement said that all hospitals were crowded with wounded, which exceeded their medical capabilities and absorptive capabilities, and lacked surgical tools.

It said that the number of those who left Gaza for treatment via Rafah crossing has reached 389 (including 358 wounded and 31 oncology patients).

“8,00,000 people have lost their homes in Gaza. They are homeless, without food, drinking water, medicine, and are without any protection,” the statement said.

The Gaza Health Ministry has called upon the UN to pressure Israel for an international resolution and agreements relating to the protection of medical institutions, health service providers and legal frameworks to protect civilians.

Covid surge: PMO's top priority to prevent reverse migration of workers this time

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