Delhi news live: Sadar Bazar stretch closed for Covid violations

People from some of the rural pockets in the district where the health department and the administration found it difficult to carry out vaccination drives because of low footfall, are now coming forward to take the jabs. Before the second wave hit, inoculation camps had to be discontinued in villages like Tyori and Kalcheena in Bhojpur block, officials said, because most residents feared that the vaccines will have serious side-effects and did not take the jabs. But like many rural areas, these villages also saw several deaths and for most residents, this fear has made them think about getting the vaccines. “There was not a single day when four-five deaths were not reported. Now, everyone wants to get vaccinated. Several myths associated with vaccines have been busted and awareness drives are being carried out by many people, including religious leaders,” said Abrar Chaudhary, a retired Army havildar from Tyori.

Delhi’s long wait for the arrival of the monsoon got longer on Sunday, with the rain-bearing system missing yet another date with the capital. As Delhiites suffered one more oppressively hot and humid day with teasing clouds that didn’t deliver, the India Meteorological Department postponed monsoon’s onset by another day, saying the system was likely to cover Delhi-NCR on Monday. This was the third likely date of monsoon’s arrival issued by the IMD in as many days. Earlier, the department had said the system could hit the region on Saturday, later revising it to Sunday.

In the first four days since the launch of Chief Minister Covid-19 Family Financial Assistance Scheme, nearly 400 beneficiaries have filled up application forms. On Sunday, social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said 390 beneficiaries had applied under the scheme till July 9, including 220 for the monthly pension and170 for the ex gratia payment. As part of the scheme, announced on July 6, Rs 50,000 will be given ex gratia for each family member who had died due to Covid-19. The government will also give Rs 2,500 per month to a family for the death of its breadwinner and Rs 2,500 per month to the children, till the age of 25, who have lost both parents.

Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has approached Supreme Court alleging that Haryana government has stopped water supply to the city, which has resulted in the Yamuna levels dropping to an all-time low. Delhi government, in a statement, said it had urged SC to hear the matter at the earliest. Raghav Chadha, DJB vice-chairman, on Sunday claimed that the capital’s share of water was being withheld by the neighbouring state. Later in the evening, he took to social media saying DJB had approached the apex court. “Update: DJB has just now filed the petition in Hon’ble SC seeking discharge of Delhi’s legitimate share of water by Haryana which was decided by SC itself in 1995-96. Tough times in Delhi because Haryana has withheld Delhi’s water in an outright contempt of SC’s existing order,” he tweeted.

From Monday, auditoriums and assembly halls in schools and other educational institutions can open with 50% seating capacity for educational training and meetings. However, schools, colleges, coaching institutes, etc will remain closed as no physical classes are allowed. Only distance learning is permitted. Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), in an order issued on Sunday, stated that prohibition on opening of cinema halls, swimming pools, amusement parks and any kind of public gathering, etc would remain. Delhi Metro and public transport buses would also have to keep operating with only 50% seating capacity and no standing passengers.

The capital saw 53 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday, with the positivity rate dipping to 0.07%, the third time this week that the figure remained below 0.1%. In the last 24 hours, 76,823 tests were conducted, including 53,280 RT-PCR and 23,542 Rapid Antigen Tests. It was on Monday, July 5, that the positivity rate dipped to 0.09% and after hovering between 0.11% and 0.12% through the week, dropped to 0.07% on Sunday, with the last seven days recording an overall positivity rate of 0.1%. A month ago, the overall weekly positivity rate was recorded at 0.22%.

Another prominent market in the city is facing action for violation of Covid norms after the district administration decided to close down a part of main Sadar Bazar market — Bara Tooti Chowk to Qutub Road — from10pm on July10 till July 13, 10pm. However, traders’ associations are unhappy with the decision, saying that in spite of repeated requests, the administration is not calling a joint meeting with all departments concerned and market associations to understand the reasons behind violations and find concrete solutions.