Top Headlines of the Day

1. Chandigarh may get a football academy for girls

In what may prove to be of great advantage to the UT Sports Department, the Ministry of Sports has chosen the Sector 42 Sports Complex for developing a center of excellence. Sources said besides a center of excellence in hockey, the UT may get approval for boxing and rowing. Besides, the department may soon get a residential accredited academy of football for both boys and girls. So far, the city does not have a football academy for girls.

Earlier this year, the department had expressed interest in setting up a center of excellence in hockey, boxing, and rowing. On October 15, the Ministry of Sports approved the formation of a center of excellence at Sector 42, while the allotment of disciplines is yet to be announced. Tejdeep Singh Saini, Director, Sports (UT) added, “If rumors are to be believed, we will also receive a nod for a football academy. We are yet waiting for an official confirmation.”

2. More OPDs in GMSH-16, Chandigarh open path to normalcy

Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, today resumed its out-patient departments (OPDs) with 150 registrations in the skin, orthopedics, and surgery wings.

The hospital authorities have gone a step ahead and started voluntary Covid testing for OPD patients.

The authorities ensured separate entry and exit to OPDs and patients were given triple-layered masks and a hand sanitizer before entering an OPD. A batch of 10 patients each were allowed at a time in OPDs and others were made to sit in the holding area. The patients will now be given an appointment for follow-up visits.

3. Door-to-door garbage collectors in Chandigarh threaten stir from October 23

Even as the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) has spent ₹30 crores to buy 390 more garbage collection trucks, it is still unlikely to meet the October-31 deadline set by a green tribunal panel to start segregated door-to-door garbage collection in all wards.

The MC faces opposition from garbage collectors, who have threatened to go on a strike from October 23 and said they would not allow plying of new vehicles. The opposition is against the MC taking over the garbage collection through the trucks, which is being currently undertaken by the collectors in their private carts. “We will launch a stir and stop both door-to-door garbage collection as well as sanitation works from October 23 unless our demands are met,” said Krishan Kumar Chadda, president, Safai Karamchari Union.

4. Shatabdi canceled for today too

The Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi Express stands canceled till October 20. Earlier, the train was set to hit the tracks from October 15 but was canceled because of the ongoing farmers’ protests.

Weekly Covid positivity rate in Chandigarh lowest in 8 weeks

The weekly Covid-19 positivity rate in the city has dipped to 6.2%, which is the lowest the rate has been in eight weeks since August 17. The weekly Covid-19 positivity rate in the city has dipped to 6.2%, which is the lowest the rate has been in eight weeks since August 17.

Tuesday’s schedule for mobile testing teams

1. Civil dispensary, Industrial Area, Phase 1

2. Auxiliary medical unit, Raipur Khurd

3. Police lines, Sector 26

4. Civil dispensary, Sector 19

5. Civil dispensary, Kaimbwala

5. Chandigarh district courts resume physical hearing to poor response

After staying shut for more than seven months due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the district and sessions judge allowed the physical hearing of cases on Monday but was met with a cold response. The judge has allowed a physical hearing provided by both parties to give their consent. As per advocates, “no two parties will give consent hence, this clause will not be of much help as defense party would want to delay hearings by withholding consent”. For the consent of both parties, a joint application has to be submitted at the special counter on the ground floor of the complex in Sector 43. On Monday, the court was sanitized, however, the majority of the courtrooms remained locked and the hearing of most of the cases was done via virtual hearing

Advocate NK Nanda, President, District Bar Association (DBA) said, “When did two advocates have agreed on one case? One will never give consent, hence, there will be no physical hearing.” For the inspection of judicial records, only advocates or their clerks are allowed to inspect the documents in the courtroom on a working day.

6. No Covid casualty in Chandigarh after 3 weeks

Chandigarh: 

On Monday reported no casualty due to Covid-19 for the first time since September 28. The fatality rate stands at 1.52%.

Meanwhile, with 63 patients being discharged, the number of those recovered continued to be more than the fresh cases, which stood at 40 on Monday.

While 13,686 people have tested positive in the Union Territory so far, 12,617 (92.2%) have recovered and 208 have died, leaving 861 active cases.

Mohali:

Two more people lost the battle against the virus on Monday, while 21 tested positive and 67 were discharged.

The total stands at 11,774, of which 700 cases remain active. As many as 10,850 (92.2%) patients have recovered while 224 have died.

Panchkula:

Panchkula recorded one death and 18 new cases. The deceased was identified as an 83-year-old man from Sector 14. It took the toll to 107.

The district has reported 6,855 cases so far, of which 6,456 (94.2%) have been cured and 292 remain active.

7. Weekend nightlife in Mohali comes back to life again

After a gap of several months, the weekend nightlife hustle-bustle is back in Mohali, with kiosks put up by migrants selling easy snacks like momos, noodles, soup, spring rolls, and gol gappas

 Unlock-5 has set free the people confined within the four walls of their houses and they have started brightening up the markets and the roadside vendors stalls. This is observed more at weekends, stating that finally, life has started going back to normal.

8. Stalls being allowed in the festive season in Chandigarh markets

From October 23, for the festive seasons, stalls will be allowed to be put up in different markets across the city by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation but with proper Covid-19 protocol.

The stall owner will be issued a challan if proper distancing is not followed and people visiting the stall do not wear a mask. Stalls will be allowed for Diwali, Dussehra, and Karva Chauth. Permission will be given for three, seven, and 20 days. For Dussehra, the MC will start issuing permissions from October 23 to October 25.