Latest news with #StandardOperatingProcedures
India Gazette
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K DGP reviews security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra, Eid-Ul-Adha and upcoming events
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 2 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, on Monday, chaired a joint meeting with officers from the Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at Police Control Room Kashmir to review the security arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2025, Eid-Ul-Adha and other upcoming events. At the onset of the meeting, the participating officers briefed the chair regarding the proposed security arrangements for the conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2025 and the upcoming Eid-Ul-Adha, emphasising the significance of effective coordination among the various forces. According to a release, during the meeting, J-K DGP issued directions for implementing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and also emphasised the importance of proactive measures in mitigating risks and ensuring the safety and security of the participants. He also directed the field officers to intensify their efforts to dismantle the terror ecosystem, ensuring robust security arrangements for the upcoming events. DGP instructed the officers to bolster security measures and mitigate potential risks by deploying Anti-Sabotage teams along the yatra routes. He also directed the officers to enhance surveillance and threat detection capabilities by utilising advanced technologies and real-time monitoring. The meeting concluded with a resolve to ensure the highest level of preparedness and coordination for the smooth and successful conduct of all the events. The meeting was attended by Spl. DGP Coord. S.J.M Gillani-IPS, ADGP Armed, Anand Jain-IPS, IGP Kashmir, IGP POS PHQ J&K, IG CRPF Srinagar, IG CRPF KOS, IG BSF, all range DIsG of Kashmir Zone, DIG Pers, DIG Traffic Kashmir, DIG IR Kashmir, DIG AP Kashmir, DIG SSB, DIG ITBP, all district SSsP of Kashmir Zone and other senior officers. Shri Amarnathji Yatra is scheduled from July 3 to August 9. As the sacred yatra approaches, coordination between departments, early security deployments, and structured logistical planning are being emphasised to ensure the safe passage and spiritual experience of every pilgrim heading to Baba Barfani's darshan. The holy festival of Eid al-Adha, also known as the 'festival of sacrifice' or Greater Eid, is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. This year, the festival is likely to be celebrated on June 7. Eid al-Adha is the second Islamic festival of the year and follows Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. The date changes every year, as it's based on the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Western 365-day Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God. (ANI)
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Delhi High Court seeks Centre's stand on SOPs for sample collection, transport of lab test
The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to submit a status report on its progress in finalising standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sample collection and transport, and storage for all laboratory tests, noting with concern that the 'next Covid Pandemic is far from over' and appears to be active in the community. The court was dealing with a contempt petition filed by Dr. Rohit Jain, who said that that despite directions of the High Court in January 2023, no guidelines have come to be formulated by the Centre with respect to establishment of minimum standards for sample collection. Pursuant to the order, a decision was taken to constitute four sub-committees of experts of pathology, biochemistry, haematology and microbiology. The members of the committee were from Central Government Hospitals and were tasked with formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for sample collection, sample collection centres, and the transport of samples, including guidelines on storage standards. Justice Anish Dayal noted that that while a meeting had been held on May 30, 2023, to deliberate on these issues, there is no update on outcome of that meeting or any resulting decisions. 'Considering that the next Covid Pandemic is far from over and in fact, active, amongst the community, today, as per news reports, the vacuum, if any, of steps taken post the meeting of 30th May 2023, is a serious issue,' the court said in it May 28, 2025 order. 'This assumes certain urgency, considering that there are wide reports of COVID-19, being active in the community, as on date; it would, therefore, be expected from the respondent to crystallize an urgent set of measures, in order that these SOPs are in place and whatever decision was taken in the meeting, has reached its proper conclusion,' the court said. The Court has asked Ms. Monika Arora, Central Government Standing Counsel, to personally ensure that relevant officers are apprised of the directions and that a comprehensive status report is filed within six weeks. It posted the case for further hearing on July 18.
India Gazette
13 hours ago
- Health
- India Gazette
Delhi HC seeks government update on COVID-19 testing standards amid rising cases
New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has directed the Union Government to submit a comprehensive status report detailing its actions regarding the policy for sample collection, collection centres, and transportation of samples, underscoring that the 'next COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.' Expressing concern over the lack of clarity on steps taken following a meeting on May 30, 2023, the court emphasized the urgency of finalizing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). It noted widespread reports of COVID-19 cases within the community, highlighting the necessity of swift and decisive measures. The directive came in response to a contempt plea filed by Dr Rohit Jain, who alleged that authorities had failed to act on previous court orders mandating the establishment of minimum standards for sample collection and transportation. The bench of Justice Anish Dayal was last week informed by government counsel Monika Arora that a status report would be submitted. It was also revealed that, following a January 27, 2023 court order, a meeting chaired by the Additional Director General of Health Services took place on May 30, 2023. During the meeting, four expert sub-committees--comprising specialists in pathology, biochemistry, hematology, and microbiology from central government hospitals--were tasked with defining SOPs for sample handling and storage. Despite these developments, the court stressed the importance of ensuring that decisions taken in the meeting reach a proper conclusion. The matter has now been listed for further hearing, with the Union Government required to submit its status report by July 18. As of 8 AM on Monday, June 2, 2025, India has recorded 3,961 active COVID-19 cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The total number of COVID-19-related deaths since January has risen to 32, with four new fatalities reported since Sunday, June 1, 2025. (ANI)
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Delhi HC seeks Centre's stand on SoPs for sample collection, transport of lab test
The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to submit a status report on its progress in finalising standard operating procedures (SoPs) for sample collection and transport, and storage for all laboratory tests, noting with concern that the 'next Covid Pandemic is far from over' and appears to be active in the community. The court was dealing with a contempt petition filed by Dr Rohit Jain, who said that that despite directions of the High Court in January 2023, no guidelines have come to be formulated by the Centre with respect to establishment of minimum standards for sample collection. Pursuant to the order, a decision was taken to constitute four sub-committees of experts of pathology, biochemistry, haematology and microbiology. The members of the committee were from Central Government Hospitals and were tasked with formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for sample collection, sample collection centres, and the transport of samples, including guidelines on storage standards. Justice Anish Dayal noted that that while a meeting had been held on May 30, 2023, to deliberate on these issues, there is no update on outcome of that meeting or any resulting decisions. 'Considering that the next Covid Pandemic is far from over and in fact, active, amongst the community, today, as per news reports, the vacuum, if any, of steps taken post the meeting of 30th May 2023, is a serious issue,' the court said in it May 28 order. 'This assumes certain urgency, considering that there are wide reports of COVID-19, being active in the community, as on date; it would, therefore, be expected from the respondent to crystallize an urgent set of measures, in order that these SoPs are in place and whatever decision was taken in the meeting, has reached its proper conclusion,' the court said. The Court has asked Ms Monika Arora, Central Government Standing Counsel, to personally ensure that relevant officers are apprised of the directions and that a comprehensive status report is filed within six weeks. It posted the case for further hearing on July 18.
Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC flags rising Covid-19 cases, seeks urgent action on lab guidelines
The Delhi high court has asked the Centre for an update on the status of guidelines for laboratories on the collection and transportation of Covid-19 samples amid a sudden resurgence of the outbreak. Justice Anish Dayal, while hearing a contempt plea over the Centre's delay in formulating such guidelines, said that the situation cannot be taken lightly given the recent spike in cases. 'Considering that the next Covid-19 pandemic is far from over and in fact, active among the community today as per news reports, the vacuum, if any, of steps taken post the meeting of 30 May 2023 is a serious issue,' the judge said in an order dated May 28, made available later. The court noted that although the Centre had initiated action by forming expert sub-committees, further delay could have serious implications. 'This assumes certain urgency, considering that there are wide reports of Covid-19 being active in the community as on date; it would, therefore, be expected from the respondent to crystallise an urgent set of measures in order that these SoPs are in place and whatever decision was taken in the meeting, has reached its proper conclusion,' justice Dayal added. The comments came during a hearing on a contempt petition filed by Dr Rohit Jain, who alleged that the Centre failed to comply with the court's earlier direction to establish minimum standards for Covid-19 sample collection and transport. On January 27, 2023, the court had instructed the government to make a decision on Jain's petition within 12 weeks. In the last hearing, the Centre's standing counsel Monika Arora informed the bench that four sub-committees had been constituted to define the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for sample collection, collection centres, and transportation policy. These committees, composed of experts from pathology, biochemistry, haematology, and microbiology, were formed following a meeting held on May 30, 2023, under the chairmanship of the Additional Director General of Health Services. While the court acknowledged the Centre's initiation of the process and noted that contempt did not lie in this context, it underlined the urgency of concluding the work begun a year ago. The Centre has now been directed to file a status report within six weeks. The matter will next be heard on July 18. The petitioner's grievance rests on the Centre's failure to act on the January 2023 direction. Jain, in his plea, asserted that the absence of proper regulations for diagnostic laboratories poses a public health risk and that the Centre had neglected to act despite clear court orders. The court's order comes amid fresh alerts triggered by rising Covid cases in parts of Asia. Countries such as China, Thailand, and Singapore have reported new waves, prompting Indian authorities to step up surveillance and preparedness. On May 23, the Delhi government issued an advisory instructing hospitals to ensure readiness in terms of beds, oxygen, essential medicines, vaccines, and equipment. 'Hospitals must ensure preparedness in terms of availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics, other drugs and vaccines. All equipment such as ventilators, Bi-PAP, oxygen concentrators and PSA must be in functional condition,' the advisory stated. All positive Covid-19 samples are to be sent for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital, it said. According to data from the ministry of health and family welfare, Delhi has 483 active Covid-19 cases as of Monday.
