CHAOS ....

Shops selling essential items are now allowed to remain open all days between 7am to 2pm. According to the BMC’S circular, starting the first week, shops on the right side will be allowed open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Shops on the left side will be allowed open on Tuesday and Thursday. This rule will be applicable on a rotational basis and the local wards are expected to issue a list of roads, specifying the left and right sides. However, after the coronavirus-enforced curbs were relaxed from Tuesday, there was a mixed response. The city’s 24 wards started issuing circulars, specifying the left and right sides in all areas, only by afternoon, resulting in confusion on day one.

Viren Shah, from the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association, said, “In many areas, non-essential shops were opened, but police came and asked them to shut. The orders are issued late at night and the message does not reach everyone. Even shopkeepers are confused as to what is to be considered left and right.” Shah added, “Additionally, we have also appealed to the state government to revise the timings from 7am to 2 pm to say 10am to 5pm. We are also asking BMC to allow reopening of shops all day, considering once we open shops, we have to pay salaries to employees, rent to landlords.”

Paras Bamboli, Chembur Merchant’s Association, said, “In Chembur also, there is confusion among shopkeepers. If we stand towards Kurla, my shop is on the left and if I stand towards Govandi, my shop falls on the right side. Hence, the BMC should ensure they specifically mention what is left and right.” Further, although non-essential shops have been allowed to remain open, saloon, beauty parlour, gymnasiums, restaurant and bars have to remain shut until further orders, civic officials said.

Meanwhile, Javed Juneja , Congress corporator from Nagapada, said, “There is confusion among shopkeepers on which side has to remain open on which day, considering it is the first day today. The same thing happened last year, and we hope starting tomorrow, this confusion might be solved.” Another Congress leader and former MP from South Mumbai, Milind Deora said, “I spoke to Maharashtra chief secretary and BMC commissioner about allowing Mumbai’s non-essential shops to open Monday-friday from 11am6pm. BMC can review weekends later. Mumbai’s retail sector is devastated — 300,000 non-essential shops impact the livelihoods of 1.5 mlllion families.”

About the traffic snarls, Bhanu Khatawkar, senior inspector of the Vashi traffic unit, said, “The number of vehicles on the highway was more than usual on Tuesday, due to the lockdown relaxation. The Mumbai Police also conducted nakabadis at Mankhurd to check the vehicles entering their jurisdiction. The Vashi area saw traffic jams between 9.30am to 1pm. We deployed more officers to manage the traffic.”

Navi Mumbai municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar said, “Navi Mumbai has a positivity rate of 3%, hence we have allowed the limited relaxation of the norms, under Break the Chain order of the state government. The residents have to ensure that all the improvement in the situation does not go waste and that through responsible behaviour of the shopkeepers and the customers, the situation only improves further.”

The PM said Covid-19 affected the academic calendar and the issue of board exams caused immense anxiety among students, parents and teachers, which must be put to an end. “Students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation,” Modi said, according to the PMO statement.

Nearly 1.4 million students were scheduled to take the CBSE Class 12 examinations, which serve as a crucial barometer for college admissions.

“The University of Delhi fully supports the decision taken to cancel the forthcoming CBSE Board examinations. The University of Delhi looks forward to the decision taken by CBSE regarding the declaration of the results,” said Rajeev Gupta, chairperson of admissions at the university.

Last year, too, the CBSE Class 12 examinations were interrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak and the lockdown. The board held exams till March 18 and postponed the remaining 29 subjects to July but finally told the Supreme Court that it will allow Class 12 students to appear in physical exams or take assessment based on past three exams.

Students who appeared for exams in more than three subjects were awarded the average of their three highest scores in papers whose exams weren’t conducted. Students who appeared for exams in only two subjects were awarded the average of their top two scores in papers whose exams weren’t conducted. This year, the exams were scheduled for May 4 but were postponed as infections and deaths surged during the second wave of Covid. Even when cases ebbed in late May, health experts warned that holding physical examinations could become a superspreader event and result in spiraling infections.

Students and parents also appealed to the government and approached the Supreme Court, saying examinees were not yet vaccinated and could get infected and spread the disease. The apex court hearing was scheduled for Thursday.

In response, PMO said the health of students was paramount

“Covid situation is a dynamic situation across the country. While the numbers are coming down in the country and some states are managing the situation through effective microcontainment, some states have still opted for a lockdown. Students, parents, and teachers are naturally worried about the health of the students in such a situation. The students should not be forced to appear for exams in such a stressful situation,” the PMO statement read.

Tuesday’s decision ended months of uncertainty for students. “We had been living with constant uncertainty and anxiety since April. At least this announcement has put a closure to that. The CBSE should now come up with a student friendly alternative criteria. No students should be put in a disadvantaged position,” said Ankita Tiwari, a Class 12 student in a private school in South Delhi.

On April 10, the CBSE Class 10 exams were cancelled and Class 12 exams postponed. The government said it will review the situation by June 1 and take a decision. On May 23, the government offered two options to the states – first, a three-hour examination for 19 major subjects; second, 90-minute tests, with students having to appear only in one language and three elective subjects. At least a dozen states preferred the second option. Only Delhi, Punjab and West Bengal opposed holding the examinations immediately.

“I am glad 12th exams have been cancelled. All of us were very worried about the health of our children. A big relief,” tweeted Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Tuesday’s meeting was attended by the Union ministers of home, defence, finance, commerce, information & broadcasting, petroleum, and women & child development. Also in attendance were the principal secretary to PM, cabinet secretary, secretaries of school education and higher education departments, and other officials.

Officials who attended the meeting said the PM was briefed about feedback received from states. During the meeting, Modi stressed the health and safety of students were of utmost importance. “In today’s time, such exams cannot be the reason to put our youth at risk. All stakeholders need to show sensitivity to students. The Prime Minister directed officials to ensure that the results are prepared in accordance with well-defined criteria, in a fair and timebound manner,” the statement added.

Principals and experts have suggested that an alternative assessment pattern could include either internal exams of Class 12 or the past performances of the students in Classes 10 to 12. “School-based assessment is the only option now. Teachers may play a key role here. Based on a short subject assessment, practical/ project marks, online proctored testing are the possibilities. A small weightage of internal assessments in 11, 12 and possibly class 10 boards ( two best subjects )may also be considered,” said Ashok Pandey, chairperson of Ahlcon Schools in Delhi. Educationist Meeta Sengupta said the board could consider internal scores of Classes 11 and 12 plus the Class 10 board exam marks.