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<ul><li>A shutdown coupled with a communications blockade in Kashmir hit education in the valley. </li><li>Schools in <keyword id="46337" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kashmir-Valley">Kashmir valley</keyword> had been closed after restrictions and shut down following the abrogation of <keyword id="405091" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Article-370">Article 370</keyword> on August 5. </li><li>Now with schools reopening after the winter break of three months most parents are hopeful that there will be a resumption in normal education in Kashmir. </li></ul>After six months, the valley is abuzz with the pitter patter of children suited up in uniforms, carrying their lunch boxes and water bottles — as schools re-opened on Monday (February 25). Schools in Kashmir valley had been closed after restrictions and shut down following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. In between, the customary three-month winter break was also announced by the government. "We are happy and excited to join our classes, it is really good to meeting with our teachers and friends after such a long time, we can only hope that we will be quickly able to compensate for the losses in our education last year," said Azmat, a Class XII student of the Mallinson school in Srinagar. After the Indian government striked Article 370 — that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir — state authorities ordered schools to open in a phased manner. However, the move was a non-starter as many with students never turned up in fear. Here are some pictures that shows hustle in several schools of Kashmir valley: <div type="Slideshow" msid="74295535" hostid="261" title="Schools reopen in Kashmir valley after almost 6 months — here’s a look at the morning hustle" firstImageMsid="74295589" slideCount="7"></div>

Schools reopen in Kashmir valley after almost 6 months — here’s a look at the morning hustle

<ul><li>The <keyword id="188920" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Public-Safety-Act">Public Safety Act</keyword> has been revoked in J&amp;K which has released <keyword id="4356" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Farooq-Abdullah">Farooq Abdullah</keyword>. </li><li>The former CM of the state has been kept under house arrest since August last year. </li><li>In September, he was placed under detention under the Public Safety Act. </li></ul>The government of <keyword id="17605" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword> has revoked the detention of former CM Farooq Abdullah with immediate effect. He has been placed under detention as a part of the Public Safety Act which also has been revoked. Abdullah had been kept on house arrest at his Srinagar residence since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Later in September, he was placed under detention under the Public Safety Act. “In exercise of powers conferred under Section 19(1) of the Jammu and <keyword id="6354495" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="kashmir">Kashmir</keyword> Public Safety Act (PSA), 1978, the government hereby revokes the detention order bearing No. DMS/PSA/120/2019 issued by District Magistrate, Srinagar,” the order said. There is no word yet on the release other former CMs <keyword id="19464" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Omar-Abdullah">Omar Abdullah</keyword> and Mehbooba Mufti who too have been placed under house arrest. As many as 200 leaders in the state were either arrested or detained right after the abrogation. Farooq Abdullah, even during his detention, was in touch with the <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/farooq-abdullah-has-to-apply-for-leave-from-lok-sabha-to-remain-arrested-by-govt-1648443-2020-02-20">Lok Sabha,</a> and had applied for leave thrice from the lower house of the Parliament. However, it is still not clear whether Abdullah can return to the Lok Sabha or whether he can attend public gatherings. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor welcomed the move and called the detention ‘disgusting’. <div type="twitter" handle="ShashiTharoor" handlename="Shashi Tharoor" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/928582848784633857/sX6E0-GB_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1042" retweetcount="142" status="Welcome the belated release of ⁦Dr Farooq Abdullah. I hope he will soon resume his rightful place on the front benc… https://t.co/NLNW5ZtcUw" createdat="1584087208000" id="1238377627007647749"></div>

 The state lost its special status and Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh were converted into two union territories by the Narendra Modi ruled government last year. Ever since, the state citizens have been cut off from basics like broadband connections. It was only in January after a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/as-2g-returns-to-kashmir-after-5-months-these-are-some-strong-arguments-against-internet-shutdowns-in-the-future/articleshow/73266751.cms">five month hiatus </a>that telecom providers were able to provide Internet to their subscribers in the valley. Most of these were also 2G connections leaving them with less speed and poor connectivity. In fact, this month the students of the valley started attending school after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/schools-reopen-in-kashmir-valley-6-months-after-removal-of-article-370/articleshow/74295502.cms">a long extended curfew and winter shutdown. </a> See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/schools-reopen-in-kashmir-valley-6-months-after-removal-of-article-370/articleshow/74295502.cms">Schools reopen in Kashmir valley after almost 6 months — here’s a look at the morning hustle</a>

Farooq Abdullah to finally be free after eight months, Public Safety Act revoked in Jammu & Kashmir

<ul><li>On August 2, thousands of <keyword id="44352" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amarnath-Yatra">Amarnath Yatra</keyword> pilgrims were asked to leave <keyword id="6354495" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="kashmir">Kashmir</keyword> immediately. </li><li>Since then, section 144 has been imposed, internet services have been suspended, political leaders like <keyword id="19464" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Omar-Abdullah">Omar Abdullah</keyword> and <keyword id="6375812" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="mehbooba-mufti">Mehbooba Mufti</keyword> have been placed under house arrest. </li><li>Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly held a meeting to discuss the recent developments in Kashmir.</li></ul>On Friday (August 2) evening, the Indian government asked <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-india-pakistan-border-in-kashmir-is-simmering-again-thousands-of-amarnath-pilgrims-have-been-sent-back/articleshow/70500904.cms">thousands of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims</a> to leave Kashmir immediately citing a terror threat. Since then, the state has been in confusion and chaos. Making matters worse is a series of speculation by both <a href="https://twitter.com/SankarshanT/status/1157987037938511872">news outfits as well as on social media </a>that has led to people fearing the worst and hoarding food and necessities. The radio silence from New Delhi, while building up troops in the valley, in the face of rampant speculation has added to the unease, particularly in the Kashmir valley. The speculations range from the abrogation of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/what-is-article-35a-of-the-indian-constitution-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/69684605.cms">Article 35A</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/what-is-article-370-of-the-indian-constitution-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/69684790.cms">Section 370</a> of the Indian Constitution to the splitting up of the state into 3 parts – Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. However, there has been no clear evidence to suggest any of the above. Let us look at all that has happened over the last three days that have intensified tensions in Kashmir leading to warnings from Pakistan too. Security beefed up The state of <keyword id="23412" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-Kashmir">Jammu &amp; Kashmir</keyword> has been under President’s rule since December 2018 and now, section 144, which prohibits an assembly of more than 4 people in an area, has been imposed. "As per the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed. There will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order. Identity cards of essential services officials will be treated as movement passes wherever required. However, there is no curfew in place as reported in a section of media," an official statement said as reported by IANS. The government had already deployed an additional paramilitary personnel of 10,000 in the state. According to <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/security-deployment-at-vital-installations-in-kashmir-increased-political-parties-hold-meeting-top-developments/articleshow/70524096.cms">reports</a>, riot control vehicles too have been deployed in the state. <keyword id="7948376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="leaders-under-house-arrest">Leaders under house arrest</keyword> The state’s top political leaders were placed under house arrest late Sunday night. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to write about the imminent house arrest. “I believe I’m being placed under house arrest from midnight tonight &amp; the process has already started for other mainstream leaders. No way of knowing if this is true but if it is then I’ll see all of you on the other side of whatever is in store. Allah save us,” he wrote on Twitter. His rival, and a former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti wrote, “How ironic that elected representatives like us who fought for peace are under house arrest. The world watches as people &amp; their voices are being muzzled in J&amp;K. The same Kashmir that chose a secular democratic India is facing oppression of unimaginable magnitude. Wake up India.” Life comes to a standstill Internet services have been suspended since Sunday night in the state. Meanwhile, education institutions in the state too have been asked to remain shut from today until further orders. Kashmir university exams which were supposed to take place from August 5 to 10 have been postponed, according to IANS. BSNL will be giving satellite phones to media persons at the steep price of ₹1 lakh a piece to file stories from the Valley, said an IANS report. However, according to ANI, schools and colleges will reopen today in Ladakh as restrictions under Section 144 CrPC have not been imposed in the region. Security meeting in Pakistan In Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan called for a <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1498058/nsc-meeting-pakistan-to-respond-to-any-misadventure-aggression-by-indian-forces">meeting</a> of the National Security Committee to discuss the developments along the border and reportedly, react to any steps taken by the Indian military. While Pakistan alleged that the Indian army used cluster bombs along the Line Of Control, the Indian army has said it was to foil an attempt by Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) to cross over to the Indian side of the border. "Pakistan army regularly attempts to push terrorists through infiltration and opens up with multitude of weapons to assist them. India, during numerous Directorate of Military Operations-level talks, has maintained the right to respond. Such responses are only against military targets and infiltrating terrorists who are aided by Pakistan Army. Allegations of firing of cluster bombs by India is yet another Pakistan's lie and deception," <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-pakistan-cluster-bombs-ammunition-loc-kashmir-1576890-2019-08-03">the Indian army said in a statement.</a> Cabinet meeting in India Meanwhile, in Delhi, Union Minister Amit Shah is said to have held a security meeting including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval to discuss the situation in Kashmir. Other senior officials at the meeting included, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Intelligence Bureau chief Arvind Kumar, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Samant Kumar Goel. According to an IANS report, Shah is reportedly planning to visit the state. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/all-the-restrictions-imposed-on-the-kashmir-valley-starting-monday/articleshow/70529211.cms">All the restrictions imposed on the Kashmir valley starting Monday</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/omar-abdullah-mehbooba-mufti-are-placed-under-house-arrest/articleshow/70529476.cms">Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti are placed under house arrest</a>

All that's happened in Kashmir over the last 72 hours – from movement of troops to suspension of internet to political leaders under house arrest

<ul><li>Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and <keyword id="2486136" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Institutes-of-Science-Education-Research">Indian Institutes of Science Education &amp; Research</keyword> (IISERs) will provide internships to as many as 500 students from Jammu &amp; Kashmir. </li><li>The students pursuing science and other professional courses — both at the undergraduate and postgraduate level — will be eligible for the two-month internships. </li><li>The participating institutions include four <keyword id="6354859" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIt">IIT</keyword>s — IIT Pune, <keyword id="858387" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT-Bhubaneswar">IIT Bhubaneswar</keyword>, IIT Ropar and IIT Guwahati — and IISER Pune, Odisha and Kolkata campuses.</li><li> IIT Ropar said it will hire 100 interns via this programme.</li></ul>Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Science Education &amp; Research (IISERs) will now provide <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/jammu-kashmir-govt-signs-mou-with-iits-iisers-for-internship-for-students/story-Xp8IPJ7rarwibdjhcNSZGI.html">internships to as many as 500 students from Jammu &amp; Kashmir</a>. The students pursuing science and other professional courses — both at the undergraduate and postgraduate level — will be eligible for the two-month internships. The internship will be conducted in two phases — May 15 to July 15 2020 and one month in December 2020. The students will work on research projects related to science and technology and will be monitored by the faculty staff at the premier institutes. The applications will be shortlisted and prepared by April 15, 2020. The participating institutions include four IITs — IIT Pune, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Ropar and IIT Guwahati — and IISER Pune, Odisha and Kolkata campuses. This comes as the Higher Education Department of J&amp;K signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) to boost employability in the region. The unemployment rate in Jammu &amp; Kashmir is significantly higher after the blockade and internet shutdown since August. As many as 250,000 educated people in J&amp;K are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/kashmirs-special-status-and-internet-blackout-kills-almost-5-lakh-jobs-in-six-months/articleshow/73697785.cms">struggling to find jobs</a> due to lack of streamlined policies. Under the initiative, the Human Resource &amp; Development Ministry (MHRD) will fund the travel of these students while the participating institutions will take care of the hostel and tuition fee. The Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said that the initiative will provide exposure to the youth under the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme. “The welfare of <keyword id="17605" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword> has always been a priority of the government. This exchange of agreement will channelize the energy of the talented youth from Jammu and Kashmir by providing them exposure to cutting edge laboratory technologies, knowledge sharing and exchange, several co-curricular activities along with deep insight to the in-depth research and academic culture followed at IITs,” <a href="http://www.uniindia.com/iit-bhubaneswar-signs-mou-with-aicte-to-provide-research-internship/east/news/1898975.html">said</a> R.V. Raja Kumar, Director at IIT Bhubaneswar. IIT Ropar also said that it will hire 100 interns via this programme. “It is our social responsibility and concern to provide them alternate career options. Along with preparing them to be employable, it is important to develop ‘job creators.’ This collaboration will accelerate economic development and growth of the country,” the institute <a href="http://www.uniindia.com/iit-ropar-collaborates-with-aicte-to-train-j-k-students/north/news/1897921.html">said</a>. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/schools-reopen-in-kashmir-valley-6-months-after-removal-of-article-370/articleshow/74295502.cms">Schools reopen in Kashmir valley after almost 6 months — here’s a look at the morning hustle</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/kashmirs-special-status-and-internet-blackout-kills-almost-5-lakh-jobs-in-six-months/articleshow/73697785.cms">The new ‘normal’ in Kashmir has cost nearly half a million jobs — bundhs and internet blackout are breaking businesses</a>

IITs and IISERs provide internships to 500 science students from Jammu & Kashmir

New Delhi, Jul 4 () Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Saturday held a meeting with top officials of 15 States and Union Territories on the COVID-19 situation and the way forward for graded reopening of activities in the 'Unlock 2' phase, officials said. During the meeting with Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries of the 15 States and UTs, the cabinet secretary is learnt to have stressed on the need for strict implementation of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs for the 'Unlock 2' phase and strict vigil on the COVID-19 situation in their respective jurisdiction. The cabinet secretary is also learnt to have made it clear that economic activities as allowed under the guidelines should be expedited so that normal life could be resumed, an official privy to the meeting said. Officials of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir attended the meeting. India's COVID-19 tally climbed to 6,48,315 on Saturday, while the death toll rose to 18,655. While issuing guidelines for the 'Unlock 2' phase, the MHA has allowed opening up of more activities in areas outside the containment zones but schools, colleges, cinema and bars will remain shut. The Unlock 2 guidelines came into effect from July 1 and will remain in force for a month. The MHA said the domestic and international (under Vande Bharat mission) flights and passenger trains have already been allowed in a limited manner and their operations will be further expanded in a calibrated manner. The MHA said the night curfew shall continue to remain in force between 10 pm and 5 am, except for essential activities. The MHA said metro rail services, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will continue to remain shut in the 'Unlock 2' phase. Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other large congregations are also continue to be prohibited. Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation, the MHA said. As stipulated in the 'Unlock 1' order and guidelines issued on May 30, certain activities such as places of worship, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, and shopping malls were allowed from June 8, outside the containment zones. ACB/NAB SMN SMN

Cabinet Secy holds meet with officials of 15 states, UTs on Unlock 2, COVID-19 situation

<ul><li>A section of students and teachers of various universities in the national capital on Tuesday voiced their concern over holding online classes, fee hike and lack of infrastructural support in the varsities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. </li><li><keyword id="66" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword> University is conducting online open book exams for final semester students of postgraduate and undergraduate courses. </li></ul> A section of students and teachers of various universities in the national capital on Tuesday voiced their concern over holding online classes, fee hike and lack of infrastructural support in the varsities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Delhi University is conducting online open book exams for final semester students of postgraduate and undergraduate courses. The move was opposed by students and teachers who were demanding that the exams be scrapped. The varsity has also commenced online classes for third and fifth semester students from August 10. During an online briefing, Abha Dev Habib, a Delhi University professor, said teachers and students have been left out from the decision-making process to hold online classes. "The decision of online open book exams was taken without thinking about students. What will happen to students in Kashmir and those stuck in floods. The students do not have gadgets for online classes. "The decision was taken without consulting the statutory bodies -- the Academic and Executive Council," she alleged. Unni Maya, a student of Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi University, said the varsity has gone ahead with the decision to hold online classes without thinking about the mental health and well-being of students. Taking online classes means that students have to spend a high screen time in front of their mobiles or laptops which impacts their health. She demanded that the varsity should think about funding and providing gadgets to students and it should also release department-wise data on how many students have availed online classes. Students and teachers of other universities also raised similar issues. Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Aishe Ghosh said the varsity administration is not concerned about teaching-learning process or about students in Kashmir who still do not have access to a proper internet connectivity, or about flood-affected students or those who contracted COVID-19. "Students are being pressurised to register for the next semester at a time when the UGC has also said that the varsities must finish the current semester by September 30. There is no meaning of registration. The varsity administration is continuously creating issues," she said. She also alleged that the students of MBA and Engineering are being charged lakhs of rupees despite not having access to labs and having part-time faculty. "I would call it daylight robbery. Even the representatives from these departments have been pressurised to not raise their voice," she said. She also urged the varsity to ensure phased return of students to the campus by following proper medical protocols and establishing quarantine centres inside the premises. Voices were also raised from Delhi government-run Ambedkar University against online classes and how the administration and even the state government has not heard their pleas. Shubhojeet Dey of Ambedkar University said they had conducted a survey among students and found that 48 per cent of students had access to smartphones while two per cent did not have access to any gadget for accessing online classes. Only 50 per cent of the students have access to laptops, he said, adding that 62 per cent out of these do not have laptops for more than three hours since the laptop is also used by their siblings, who are either studying or are working. "It was found that 73 per cent of students do not have stable internet connection and 98 per cent of the female students were also supposed to contribute to household chores. We have even approached the authorities and even the Delhi government with our problems but there has been no resolution," he added. The students had boycotted the orientation class which was held to introduce the students to courses. Listing out the demands of the students, Dey said they want that the classes should be postponed by a month and laptops should be procured for students from disadvantaged sections and data packs should be given to all the students. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/future-retail-shares-tank-as-a-crucial-payment-deadline-expires/articleshow/77713123.cms">Kishore Biyani-led Future Retail averts a default — settles $14 million interest payment to investors</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/the-who-just-released-specific-mask-guidance-for-kids-as-they-gear-up-to-return-to-school-children-12-and-older-should-wear-them-as-adults-do/articleshow/77706822.cms">The WHO just released specific mask guidance for kids as they gear up to return to school: children 12 and older should wear them as adults do</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/more-than-half-the-parents-will-not-send-their-children-to-school-even-if-they-reopen-says-survey/articleshow/77720284.cms">More than half the parents will not send their children to school even if they reopen, says survey</a>

Delhi University hikes fees, holds online classes — students and teachers voice their concern

India COVID-19 state-wise tally: Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state with 15 lakh cases

(Eds: Combining related stories) New Delhi, May 15 () The nationwide tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases crossed 85,000 on Friday with more people testing positive for the deadly virus infection from Kashmir to Kerala and from Karnataka to Bihar, even as indications emerged about greater relaxations in the fourth phase of the lockdown beginning Monday to contain economic costs of the pandemic. Going by the numbers declared by different states and union territories, India has now surpassed China's official tally of 82,933 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Though some new cases have emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan -- the epicentre of the deadly virus -- less than 100 people are now undergoing treatment across China, which recorded 4,633 deaths due to COVID-19 but more than 78,000 have been discharged after recovery, as per their official data. Globally, more than 3 lakh people have died and nearly 45 lakh have tested positive for the deadly virus since its emergence in Wuhan last December. While China and several other countries have begun reopening their economies, fresh concerns have begun mounting about a possible re-emergence of the virus. India is now the 11th most affected nation in the world, but each one of the top-ten have one lakh or more cases. The US tops the charts with more than 14 lakh cases, followed by Russia, UK, Spain, Italy and Brazil with over 2 lakh cases each; and France, Germany, Turkey and Iran having over 1 lakh cases each. In its morning 8 AM update, the Union Health Ministry said the death toll due to COVID-19 across India has risen to 2,649 and the number of cases has climbed to 81,970, registering an increase of 100 deaths and 3,967 cases in the last 24 hours since Thursday morning. There are more than 51,000 active cases, while nearly 28,000 have recovered, giving a recovery rate of over 34 per cent. However, a tally of numbers reported by states and UTs, as of 9 PM, put the total number of confirmed cases across the country much higher at 85,538. This also showed at least 2,679 deaths and nearly 30,000 recoveries. Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Bihar and Karnataka breached the 1,000-mark in terms of the number of people having tested positive, while testing and containment measures were ramped up in places like, Kerala, Goa and Manipur that were being seen as being mostly virus-free till a few days back. Even a quarantine centre had to be sealed in Manipur. On the other hand, large numbers of cases continued to get detected in big urban clusters. Maharashtra, the most-affected state, reported 1,576 new cases to take its tally to 29,100, while its death toll rose to 1,068. Tamil Nadu crossed the 10,000 mark with 434 new cases, while Gujarat saw 340 more people testing positive to push its tally to 9,932. According to the Union Health Ministry, 30 municipal areas account for 79 per cent of India's coronavirus infection caseload. At a meeting of a group of ministers chaired by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, it was stressed that the focus of COVID-19 management strategy needs to be on the states with the highest number of confirmed cases and fatalities. Also, focus is needed on treatment and case fatality management, for which timely detection and contact tracing were the best way forward. The Finance Ministry in the meantime unveiled the third booster dose, mainly consisting of measures aimed at helping farmers and for reforms in agriculture and allied sectors, of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Rs 20 lakh crore 'special package' for making India self-reliant in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Modi said the third tranche will help the rural economy and boost farmers' income. India has been under a lockdown since March 25, which was initially scheduled to end on April 14 but has got extended twice -- first till May 3 and then till May 17 with some relaxations. A final decision on the fourth phase is expected soon, but officials said there could be greater relaxations and more flexibility for states and union territories while measures being explored include gradual reopening of the railways and domestic airlines. Schools, colleges, malls and cinema halls may not be allowed to open anywhere in the country, but salons, barber shops and optical shops may be allowed everywhere barring COVID-19 containment areas. E-retailers may be allowed to deliver non-essential items too. Final guidelines will be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs after going through the suggestions of various state governments. During his last interaction with chief ministers, Modi had asked them to submit their suggestions by May 15. According to officials, Punjab, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Assam and Telangana want the lockdown to continue, while some states have sought powers to decide the zoning of districts -- green, orange and red -- as per the COVID-19 situation. This request of the state governments may be accepted so that they can restrict or allow movement of people or economic activities in a particular place depending on the ground situation, an official told . Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on Monday, had said that the lockdown 4.0 will have a "completely different form", with new rules. "No state wants complete withdrawal of lockdown but all want gradual resumption of economic activities," the official said. Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka are among some states which are not in favour of complete resumption of train and air services, at least till May-end. The railways have already started special trains to 15 destinations from Delhi and have been running several hundred 'Shramik Special' trains from different parts of the country to various places for transportation of migrant workers stranded due to the lockdown. Air India is also engaged in evacuation of thousands of Indians stranded abroad during the lockdown under the 'Vande Bharat Mission'. However, there have been cases of people testing positive after reaching their native places using these trains and flights. Officials said local trains, buses and metro services may start running with limited capacity in non-containment areas of red zones. Autos and taxis are also expected to be allowed in all zones with restrictions on the number of passengers, barring areas identified as 'containment zones'. Maharashtra has favoured strict lockdown measures in Mumbai, its suburbs and Pune, and a complete ban on inter-state and inter-district transport. However, Gujarat wants resumption of economic activities in major urban centres. Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have also favoured opening up of economic activities. Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, which have seen a spike in the COVID-19 cases after arrival of migrant workers, want the lockdown to continue with strict curbs on movement of people. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has urged Modi not to open state boundaries for the next few months, except for migrants or essential services. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the state has written to the Centre urging extension of the lockdown by two more weeks. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said the Centre may announce many relaxations in the lockdown after May 17. The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to resume state transport bus service to various destinations from May 18, while the Haryana Roadways has already resumed bus services on select routes within the state. PLB PM ACB SKC DP MJH ANZ TR KSU UPL SUN VSD ENM NAB BJBJBJ

You Searched For "school reopen in kashmir" and got 9 results

Schools reopen in Kashmir valley after almost 6 months — here’s a look at the morning hustle

BI India Bureau

Schools reopen in Kashmir valley after almost 6 months — here’s a look at the morning hustle

Farooq Abdullah to finally be free after eight months, Public Safety Act revoked in Jammu & Kashmir

Sanchita Dash

All that's happened in Kashmir over the last 72 hours – from movement of troops to suspension of internet to political leaders under house arrest

Sanchita Dash

IITs and IISERs provide internships to 500 science students from Jammu & Kashmir

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