1. Cabinet approves introduction of J&K Official Languages Bill 2020 in Parliament

Key points:

1. The Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the introduction in Parliament of the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill 2020 in which five languages will be official languages.
2. These are Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi and English. Briefing the media, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said inclusion of Dogri, Hindi and Kashmiri as official languages in Jammu and Kashmir is not only a fulfillment of a long-pending public demand but is also in keeping with the spirit of equality.

(News on Air, 2 September 2020) News Link

• Measures taken by Uttar Pradesh

1. UP CM Yogi Adityanath stresses on ramping up COVID-19 testings in Kanpur Nagar, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur

Key points:

1. In a review meeting Chief Minister asserted that the testing is an important component in COVID-19 control and directed officials to do 1.50 lakh tests per day without fail.
2. He said, the ventilators/High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) should be kept functional in all the districts and a report in this regard should be submitted to the government by this evening.
3. Directing to ensure availability of dialysis machines in the COVID hospitals, he said that dedicated dialysis machines should be made available for Hepatitis B patients in every district.
4. The Chief Minister directed to maintain at least 48-hour oxygen backup in the COVID and the Non-COVID hospitals. Similar arrangements should be done in Health and Medical education departments hospitals as well. He further directed to keep in touch with the home-isolated patients from district level as well as through CM Helpline. (News on Air, 2 September 2020) News Link

• Measures taken by Odisha

1. Odisha govt decides to close all state govt offices on Saturdays

Key points:

1. Amid the rising Covid-19 caseload, the Odisha government has decided to close all state government offices on Saturdays.
2. It has also decided to run its offices in capital Bhubaneswar and the twin City Cuttack with 50 % of the staff during the current month.
3. Following centre’s revised guidelines to open up more activities, Odisha Government has allowed open air theatres and similar places, shops and commercial establishments to be back on the track with safety protocols in tow. Educational and coaching institutions and Anganwadi centres however will continue to be closed for teaching purposes till the Puja vacation in October 2020.
4. While religious places shall continue to shut their doors down against the devotees, lockdown shall be in place till 30th September in the containment zones as identified by the local authorities depending on the depth and expance of the viral presence.  (News on Air, 2 September 2020) News Link