New Delhi, Apr 20 () The Delhi High Court Monday directed the Delhi government to continue with the steps to ensure there is no dearth of food, water, electricity and sanitation requirements in the area where the inhabitants of Yamuna Pushta have been relocated for the lockdown period to contain the spread of coronavirus.A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad, conducting the hearing through video conferencing, said it was satisfied with the steps taken by the authorities to ensure that the homeless persons, who were earlier stranded at Yamuna Pushta, and those at the Labour camp near Sarai Kale Khan are being supplied food and other facilities on a regular basis during the lockdown period.The court disposed of a petition seeking direction to the Delhi government, DUSIB, Delhi Police and Labour Department to provide facilities to thousands of homeless persons, daily wage workers, stranded and living in the open along the bank of river Yamuna at Kashmere Gate here who are without any shelter, toilet or medical facility.Petitioner Sunil Kumar Aledia claimed that payment was being demanded for using public toilet facilities in and around homeless shelters and slum clusters.He further claimed that construction workers of a company, engaged in a Pragati Maidan project, are also stranded without any proper provision for their food at the labour camp near Sarai Kale Khan.The court was informed by Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, representing the Delhi government and various other authorities, that out of 4,229 inhabitants living at Yamuna Pushta, from April 14-16, 3,600 have been shifted to different schools in Delhi, 600 have been shifted to the Yamuna Sports Complex.Another 358 workers have been moved to shelter homes being run by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).He added that DUSIB has arranged make-shift shelters for them at whichever place they have been shifted to and besides this, arrangements have been made for providing free food, potable water, mobile toilet vans, sanitation and medical facilities.The ASG said none of the daily wage workers are stranded and living in the open at Yamuna pushta, as asserted by the petitioner. After noting the submissions, the bench said it was satisfied that all the three issues raised in the petition have been satisfactorily addressed by the concerned authorities and there is no reason to keep the matter pending."Accordingly, the present petition is disposed of with directions issued to the respondents (authorities) to continue taking necessary steps to ensure that there is no dearth of food, potable water, electricity and other requirements of sanitation in the area where the inhabitants of Yamuna Pushta have now been relocated or the Labour Camps at Sarai Kale Khan throughout the lockdown period," the bench said.Regarding the claim that charges were being taken for using toilet facilities, the government said since January 2018, DUSIB has been providing toilet facilities in JJ clusters without levying anyCharges and none of the municipal bodies are charging anything during the lockdown period for such facilities. SKV HMP SA

HC asks authorities to ensure no dearth of food, water for homeless workers during lockdown

New Delhi, Jun 22 () The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the AAP government to try and increase the COVID testing methodology, Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), in view of rise in coronavirus cases in the national capital. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli had Subramonium Prasad noted that present per day RAT numbers were "abysmal" as they were not even reaching 50 per cent of the target of 22,000 tests per day set by the Delhi government."See if you can expand the Rapid Antigen Testing numbers. Looking at the rate the (COVID-19) numbers are going up, the sooner you do, the better," the bench said. Delhi government additional standing counsel Satyakam, appearing for the health department, said the RAT methodology was started on June 18 and was in its trial phase. He said the testing methodology was presently confined to hot spots and containment zones and asked the court to wait for a week after which the RAT numbers would go up. During the hearing via video conferencing, the high court also suggested that the RAT methodology be permitted in the designated COVID-19 hospitals as well so that testing numbers can be ramped up. The bench was hearing an application by advocate Sanjeev Sharma who has contended there have been several instances where non-COVID patients needing surgery or emergent procedures are required to undergo testing before that, but hospital concerned is unable to conduct the test as they are not permitted to do so by Delhi government. In the same matter, the high court had earlier asked the private labs to inform it about difficulties faced by them in carrying out COVID tests. On June 18, the labs placed before the high court the various difficulties faced by them and it had asked an expert committee, set up by the Lieutenant Governor to advise Delhi Disaster Management Authority, to examine the issues raised and resolve them. On Monday, the bench directed the Chief Secretary of Delhi government to convene a meeting of the committee to discuss the issues raised by the labs and directed that the panel's recommendations be conveyed to the high court before the next date of hearing on June 26. Of the several difficulties highlighted by the labs, one was that the process of uploading patient registration data was cumbersome and time and manpower consuming as it has to be uploaded on the RT-PCR app, the COVID app, ICMR portal and the integrated disease surveillance portal linked to the office of the chief minister. The labs said that all this required engaging several data entry operators so that information can be provided to multiple government agencies on a daily basis, thereby wasting valuable time and diverting their energies from the testing process. They suggested that the process be simplified and a single point agency be designated for all private labs to furnish the requisite information to be shared with all the other government agencies. The other difficulties included, duplication in the process of registration of phlebotomists (who collect samples), NABL's insistence on re-accreditation by accredited labs for testing for COVID, and that some of the symptoms of coronavirus like loss of smell and taste not being mentioned in the advisory for testing or in the forms that are required to be filled up. The application by Sharma was filed in the main petition of advocate Rakesh Malhotra who had sought swift testing of COVID-19 cases and declaration of results within 48 hours. The high court had on May 4 disposed of the petition with a direction to the Delhi government to publish on their websites correct data of tests conducted, number of positive results and pending outcomes. The application has also alleged that the high court's May 4 direction was not being complied with properly by the Delhi government. HMP SKV RKS RKS

In view of rising COVID cases, increase rapid testing numbers: HC to AAP govt

New Delhi, Apr 24 () The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre and the Delhi government to work in tandem to ensure that pregnant women and their family members in coronavirus hotspots face no barriers during the lockdown.A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad, which conducted the hearing through video conferencing, directed the Delhi government to ensure that the helpline number proposed to be set up within two days for assisting senior citizens during the pandemic are also made available for pregnant women."The helpline number shall be publicised adequately in the newspapers and the social media as also through the Delhi Police, wherever possible," the court order said."Union of India and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi shall work in tandem to make sure that no barriers are faced by pregnant ladies and their family members residing in hot spots during the lockdown," said the order passed on April 22 and uploaded on the court's website this afternoon.The court passed the order while disposing of a petition by charitable trust SAMA - Resource Group For Women and Health claiming denial of healthcare and delivery / child birth services to pregnant women in Delhi and the barriers faced by them and their families in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown declared by the Central and state governments.The court noted that the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs for enabling delivery of essential health services during the pandemic, which include care during pregnancy and child birth, besides prevention and management of communicable diseases, treatment of chronic diseases to avoid complications and for addressing other emergencies.Petitioner's advocate Vrinda Grover submitted that the government has directed all front-line workers of sub-health and wellness centres to maintain a list of persons to whom essential services have to be extended, like pregnant women and those who have recently delivered infants.She also said auxiliary nursing mid-wives (ANM) and Asha workers must ensure that pregnant women in the last trimester are contacted to ascertain their status. She contended that despite extensive guidelines laid down by the Centre, services on ground are not readily available.The petition sought direction for proper coordination between the concerned departments of the Centre and Delhi government so that a nodal officer is appointed in every COVID-19 hotspot, whose contact number is made public and a dedicated helpline is set up for pregnant women seeking essential health services, which includes arranging transportation to and from the hospital and securing movement passes.Advocate Anupam Srivastava, representing Delhi government, told the court that the authorities have no objection if the helpline proposed to be set up for senior citizens, in terms of an earlier order of the high court, is also made available for pregnant women to access medical facilities and to arrange transportation for them to visit hospitals for check-ups, delivery and post-delivery consultation.He also said a sufficient number of Asha workers and ANMs will be made available so that they can reach pregnant women, particularly those who are in the high risk category for a follow up and in the last trimester.Central government standing counsel Rajesh Gogna assured the court that necessary compliances shall be made and the coordination between the Asha workers and ANMs shall be seamless. SKV HMP SA

HC asks Centre, Delhi govt to ensure pregnant women face no barriers during lockdown

<ul><li>The Delhi High Court on Wednesday observed that <keyword id="6411073" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="final-year-students">final year students</keyword> of the Delhi University "are not thoroughly prepared" to participate in the online open book examination (OBE) proposed by the varsity.</li><li>The data revealed that as against 1,83,376 students who had registered to participate in the OBE in the first phase, 1,86,814 students had registered themselves in the second phase.</li></ul> The Delhi High Court on Wednesday observed that final year students of the Delhi University "are not thoroughly prepared" to participate in the online open book examination (OBE) proposed by the varsity. "This is a clear indication that the final year students are not thoroughly prepared to participate in the online OBE that <keyword id="6562291" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-University-of-Delhi">the University of Delhi</keyword> has proposed to conduct," a division bench of Justices <keyword id="602661" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hima-Kohli">Hima Kohli</keyword> and Subramonium Prasad observed after comparing the data relating to the first and second phase of mock tests that were conducted by the varsity. The data revealed that as against 1,83,376 students who had registered to participate in the OBE in the first phase, 1,86,814 students had registered themselves in the second phase. However, the total number of the students who had logged in during the first phase were 93,185 whereas only 75,593 had logged in the second phase. The total number of papers attempted by the students in the first phase were 60,181 whereas, in the second phase, the total number of papers attempted were 51,176. The data also revealed that the total number of papers submitted in the first phase were 33,162 whereas, in the second phase, the total number of papers submitted were 23,693. After seeing the data, the bench said: "Even for the PWD (person with disability) category students and VH (visually handicapped) students, the data of the second phase of the mock test is no better than that of the first phase, if not worse." The observations were made while the bench was hearing a plea filed by Prateek Sharma, a physically disabled student, highlighting the difficulties that will be faced by disabled students in taking the online exam. The court also granted 10 days time to the varsity to file an affidavit clarifying its position along with the exact date by which the results of the final year students who propose to sit in the online open book examination will be declared. "It shall also be stated as to how many students had actually logged in to participate in the online OBE and the assessment of the number of students who will take the examination physically at a later date, to be indicated by the University," the bench said while slating the matter for further hearing on August 17. Meanwhile, a separate bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh reserved orders on a batch of pleas challenging the DU's decision to conduct online OBE for final year students. During the hearing, the DU submitted that the OBE were the best option to check the student's knowledge in keeping with the UGC's guidelines while adhering to the restrictions thrown by the global pandemic. "The idea behind OBE was to prevent students from assembling in one hall as it would be difficult to maintain social distancing during the pandemic situation. There were detailed deliberations," senior advocate <keyword id="2985428" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sachin-Dutta">Sachin Dutta</keyword>, representing the DU, said. He further told the court that a student does not need very high technology to sit for online OBE as having an email will be sufficient and that connectivity issues will be far more in other modes. While the hearing was underway, with a lot of students too present, music suddenly started playing in the background, following which Justice Singh said: "I don't know what they are celebrating." Initially, the varsity had announced that the online OBE would commence from July 1, which was later postponed by the varsity to July 10 and again, the institution has now postponed the same till August 15, without giving a specific date as to when it would take place. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-beirut-explosion-created-a-huge-mushroom-cloud-and-visible-blast-wave-but-nuclear-weapons-experts-say-it-wasnt-an-atomic-blast-heres-why-/articleshow/77362144.cms">The Beirut explosion created a huge mushroom cloud and visible blast wave, but nuclear weapons experts say it wasn't an atomic bomb. Here's why.</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/microsoft-for-startups-lathika-pai-says-entrepreneurs-pitching-for-investments-need-to-have-this-one-question-answered-in-their-pitch-decks/articleshow/77352935.cms">Microsoft for Startups’ Lathika Pai says entrepreneurs pitching for investments need to have this one question answered in their pitch decks</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/linkedin-tcs-disney-hotstar-zee-and-other-companies-hiring-right-now-in-india/slidelist/77352775.cms">LinkedIn, TCS, Disney+ Hotstar, Zee and other companies hiring right now in India</a>

Delhi University students 'not thoroughly prepared' for open book exams: HC

(Eds: Adding more details) New Delhi, Jun 11 () The national capital is fast heading towards becoming the "corona capital" of the country, observed the Delhi High Court while expressing concern over the spike in COVID-19 cases and directed that all private hospitals equipped with labs to test for coronavirus and having ICMR sanction be permitted to conduct the test. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad observed that "corona capital" was "an epithet the city can well do without" and said it was need of the hour that all private hospitals equipped with labs to test for COVID-19 be permitted to do so without losing any more time. According to latest official figures, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi is over 32,000 including 984 deaths. The number of active coronavirus patients in the city is over 19,000. The bench made the observation after it was told by the petitioner that several private hospitals, including Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, have been prevented from carrying out COVID-19 tests. The Delhi government, represented by its additional standing counsel Satyakam, opposed the submission, saying 23 private labs have been allowed to conduct the tests apart from 17 public sector labs.The bench, thereafter, issued notice to the 23 private labs, mentioned by Delhi government in its affidavit, and asked them to file their replies clarifying whether they have been permitted to undertake tests for suspected COVID-19 patients and by which technique. "They shall also point out the difficulties, if any, faced by them on account of any bureaucratic red-tapeism," the bench said.It also noted in its order that non-COVID patients, who are approaching private hospitals for admission to undergo emergent surgeries and other such procedures, are not admitted without a coronavirus test for which they are compelled to go elsewhere. "It is most unfortunate that non-COVID patients are being made to wait to undergo test for COVID-19 at labs other than those which are situated within the premises of the hospitals, that are equipped and authorised to conduct the said test," the bench said. The high court directed that all the private hospitals that have been called upon to reserve 20 per cent beds for admitting COVID-19 patients, are equipped with labs to conduct coronavirus test and have sanction of ICMR to do so, "should proceed to conduct tests on symptomatic and asymptomatic persons, who seek admission in the hospital for undergoing surgeries and procedures of other nature as well". It also impleaded Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in the matter so that details of private hospitals authorised by it to undertake COVID-19 tests can be furnished to the court on the next date, June 18. The high court said that ICMR while filing its status report shall also indicate number of applications submitted by accredited labs in Delhi seeking permission to conduct COVID-19 test and the status of the same. The order came on the application by advocate Sanjeev Sharma who has contended there have been several instances where non-COVID patients needing surgery or emergent procedures are required to undergo testing before that, but hospital concerned is unable to conduct the test as they are not permitted to do so by Delhi government. The application, filed through advocate Rakesh Malhotra, has also sought a direction to the Delhi government and all the hospitals and nursing homes permitted to treat COVID-19 cases to daily publish on their respective websites the status of vacancy of beds so that patients need not run from pillar to post for the same. The application was filed in the main petition, by Malhotra, which had sought swift testing of COVID-19 cases and declaration of results within 48 hours. The high court had on May 4 disposed of the petition with a direction to the Delhi government to publish on their websites correct data of tests conducted, number of positive results and pending outcomes. The application has alleged that the high court's May 4 direction was not being complied with properly by the Delhi government. HMP SKV RKS RKS RKS

Delhi heading towards being 'corona capital' of India: HC on spike in COVID-19 cases

(Eds: Fixing typo in header) New Delhi, Jul 9 () Examinations are nerve- wracking and career of thousands of students is at stake, the Delhi High Court said on Thursday, pulling up the Delhi University for repeatedly postponing the exams of final year undergraduate courses in the last few weeks. The court questioned the varsity on pushing the exams from July 10 to a date beyond August 15, even when it kept maintaining that it was ready to conduct the Open Book Examinations (OBE) on July 1 as well as on July 10. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad directed Delhi University to file an affidavit detailing the schedule of final year undergraduate exams which have been postponed from July 10 to beyond August 15 in view of persisting COVID-19 pandemic. The high court also asked the varsity to explain in the affidavit as to how it proposes to conduct exams -- online, off-line or both modes, besides the complete date sheet, providing clarity to students. It allowed the prayer of senior advocate Sachin Dutta, representing DU, to grant some time as they have to work out a new plan in terms of July 8 circular issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for declaring the manner in which the forthcoming exams are to be conducted. The court directed the DU to file the affidavit by July 13 and listed the matter for consideration on July 14. "We all have gone through the examination process which is nerve-wracking for the students, especially during the times of COVID-19 pandemic," said the bench, which was conducting the hearing through video conferencing. "Why are you pushing the exams to a date beyond August 15, knowing that careers of thousands of students are at stake," the court said, adding that the final year students have to be given passing out certificates and degrees to enable them to pursue higher education. It asked the varsity to mull over the schedule given by the UGC and come back with a firm date sheet and examination schedule. The court was also critical of the way mock exams were conducted by the DU and referred to technical glitches during the tests. The bench did not appreciate the conduct of the varsity which has been "turning turtle" and changing stands frequently. It noted that on June 26, DU informed the court that it will go ahead with conducting exams from July 1 and after less than 24 hours, the university postponed the exams to July 10. The court had on June 29 issued notice to the varsity asking why contempt proceedings be not initiated against it and its officers for trying to mislead the court by withholding information on deferment of the online OBE from July 1 to July 10. The court was then informed that the university was firm on commencing exams from July 10. "We took you (DU) on face value and asked you to file an affidavit for clarity. Now we discover you have again changed the date to beyond August 15 and there is no exact date. What do you expect us to do. You want us to constantly monitor you on conducting exams," the bench said. It added, "Sorry to say the way the university is conducting itself for the last few weeks, we are not impressed with anything. We have to take it with a pinch of salt." In the affidavit filed by DU on Thursday morning, it was averred that meeting of a High Powered Committed of the university took place on July 7 at 9:30 PM to access the exam related matters and taking stalk of the developments pursuant to revised guidelines issued by UGC on July 6. Thereafter, the DU has decided to postpone holding of the examination to some date after August 15. Dutta said the university is still working upon the date sheet for the examination to be conducted after August 15. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the UGC, informed the court that on July 6 and July 8, it has issued a circular/ guidelines to all the universities informing them that the examination process for final year students must be completed by the end of September and the mode of conducting examination could be online, offline or a blend of both the methods. On being asked by the court as to whether the UGC has insisted that exams be conducted for promoting students, Mehta said exams are compulsory for final year students and the process has to be completed by September 30. The high court was hearing various petitions by several final year DU students seeking quashing and withdrawal of the notifications of May 14, May 30 and June 27 for online exams for undergraduate and postgraduate students, including of the School of Open Learning and Non-Collegiate Women Education Board. As an alternative prayer, one of the petitions has sought direction to the DU to evaluate the final year students based on the previous years' or semesters' results in the same manner as the university has planned to promote the first and second year students. On Wednesday, DU had incurred the wrath of a single judge for "playing with the lives of children" by deciding to again postpone the exams. The court had transferred the pleas to the division bench headed by Justice Kohli as it has already issued contempt notice to the varsity. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, submitted that DU be directed to follow all the procedures laid down in law and the court should be informed about the mode of conducting the examinations. SKV HMP SA

Examination process nerve wracking, students' career at stake: HC to DU on postponing exams

New Delhi, Jun 25 () The Delhi High Court directed the AAP government on Thursday to give an action plan on ramping up the COVID-19 testing, saying it was "imperative" as the city on June 24 recorded the highest daily increase in coronavirus cases, more than anywhere else in the country. Delhi recorded 3,788 fresh coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the tally to over 70,000, while the number of deaths due to COVID-19 climbed to 2,365. "Give an action plan on ramping up testing in the national capital which is imperative since as of yesterday (June 24), Delhi tops the country with the largest number of increase in cases in a single day at 3.788," a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad said. It directed the Delhi government, represented by its additional standing counsel Satyakam, to also file an affidavit containing a computed and tabulated statement of the number of tests carried out under each category, like the rapid antigen detection test and the newly proposed antibody test scheduled to commence from June 27. Besides, the bench directed the Centre and the Delhi government to publicise and upload on their website an advisory issued on June 23 by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) permitting private hospitals to carry out the rapid antigen detection test which gives results within 15-20 minutes. However, the results of rapid antigen detection test are not very accurate and any negative result is to be confirmed by the more accurate RT/PCR test, the Centre said. RT/PCR, short for Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a laboratory technique widely used in the diagnosis of genetic diseases and to measure gene expression in research. The bench, in its order, also directed the Delhi government to file an affidavit indicating compliance of the recommendations made in the June 23 meeting of the committee constituted by the Lieutenant Governor to advise the Delhi Disaster Management Authority. The committee in its meeting of June 23 had discussed the difficulties, like duplication of data, cumbersome data entry process, manpower shortage and financial non-viability of onsite sample collection, being faced by the private labs in carrying out the COVID-19 tests. Dealing with the difficulties, the committee recommended that data with regard to the tests shall be collected only on the RT/PCR app and will only be uploaded on the ICMR website and no other app would be used for data collection, the status report filed by the Delhi government stated.' The report further said that the committee was of the view that data entry operator numbers be augmented to help with the manpower shortage and that no lab should accept samples beyond their processing capacity, so that results can be obtained within 48 hours. The committee also recommended setting up of an interactive platform and holding of virtual meetings with the labs to address their grievances, the report said. With regard to the court's observation on June 18 that testing capacity of private labs was being underutilised, the Delhi government in its report has said that while the designated COVID testing private labs have a self-declared capacity of nearly 7,220 samples per day, they have pledged merely 2.030 of that for the Delhi government on a daily basis. Satyakam, during the hearing, also informed the court about the Delhi government's proposed antibody test, set to start from June 27, as part of which 4,000 blood samples per day would be randomly collected from various parts of the city for five days and they would be tested for development of any immunity against COVID. The serological test or 'sero surveillance', which its being called, would help to identify those who have recovered from COVID-19 without being tested because they were asymptomatic, had mild disease, or could not get tested for some reason, he said. He also told the court that from June 18-23, 68,041 rapid antigen tests were carried out and 41,155 samples were collected using the RT/PCR method, leading to a total of 1,09,196 tests at an average of 18,200 samples per day. The court on June 22 had asked the AAP government to try and increase the COVID testing methodology, Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), in view of rise in coronavirus cases in the national capital. The bench was hearing an application by advocate Sanjeev Sharma who has contended there have been several instances where non-COVID patients needing surgery or emergent procedures are required to undergo testing before that, but hospital concerned is unable to conduct the test as they are not permitted to do so by Delhi government. The application by Sharma was filed in the main petition of advocate Rakesh Malhotra who had sought swift testing of COVID-19 cases and declaration of results within 48 hours. The high court had on May 4 disposed of the petition with a direction to the Delhi government to publish on its websites correct data of tests conducted, number of positive results and pending outcomes. The application has also alleged that the high court's May 4 direction was not being complied with properly by the Delhi government. HMP SKV SA

You Searched For "Subramonium Prasad" and got 7 results