Kerala Lockdown Day 36: NORKA registration for Keralites from other states begins today
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Kerala reported four COVID-19 cases and four recoveries on Monday. Out of the 486 COVID-19 cases in the state, 123 are active.
Following lockdown violations, 4,576 cases were registered, 4,440 were arrested and 2,905 vehicles were confiscated on Tuesday. Thiruvananthapuram district registered the maximum number of violations in the state.
Onmanorama compiles a list of essential and other services available in the state to see you through the lockdown.
NORKA registration for Keralites from other states begins
Keralites who wish to come home from other Indian states should register their names with the Department of Non Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA). The online registration process will begin on Wednesday (April 29). Interested may visit https://www.registernorkaroots.org/
The registration process for bringing back people stranded in various countries had begun on April 26.
The expatriates wishing to return home can register on the NORKA website after getting themselves tested for COVID-19 and obtaining a negative certificate.
Meanwhile, Kerala government is ramping up efforts to arrange quarantine facilities for NRKs on their return. The government has so far arranged 2,39,642 beds for expats.
Special Officers appointed in Kottayam, Idukki districts
DGP Lokanath Behera has deployed two IPS officers as special officers in Kottayam and Idukki after the two districts were declared red zones on Monday. Commandant R Viswanath from KAP 5th Battalion has been deployed in Kottayam and Commandant Vaibhav Saxena from KAP 1st Battalion is in charge of Idukki district.
Vehicles passes available online
The public can now request for vehicle passes to purchase essential commodities and services online. Individuals may log on to https://covid19jagratha.kerala.nic.in/ and click on the link essential services to apply for the passes. The Motor Vehicles department and health department will examine the application and transfer it to the applicant's taluk. The taluk authorities will issue the permit after due examination and dispatch the permit to the respective mobile numbers of the applicant. Only inter-district and inter-state passes will be considered.
Jagratha portal is a one-stop platform for the public to avail emergency services and information related to COVID-19. It ensures transparency and quality in public services and welfare measures.
Kerala will allow pregnant women and people seeking medical aid from other states, subject to restrictions. The district collector will be the authority to give permission in such special cases which also includes a close relative's death or serious ailments.
My Corona Warrior Scheme by Postal Department
Kids below 12 years can now, send their greetings to those fighting against the coronavirus in the state. Children may scan and upload hand-written letters and pictures and send them to the mail-id epost.aluvadop@gmail.com. The letters would be delivered to the recipients via e-post. For further details contact Aluva Postal division: 0484-2624408, 9446420626.
Railway Emergency Cell
Railway Emergency Cell for COVID responding to about 13,000 queries, requests and suggestions everyday
During the lockdown, the Cell has been responding to about queries, requests and suggestions everyday, from five communication and feedback platforms - Helplines 139 and 138, social media (specially Twitter), email (railmadad@rb.railnet.gov.in) and CPGRAMS.
Application for NORKA financial assistance
Those expats wanting to apply for the various financial assistance programs can apply for the same through NORKA roots website. More details are available on their website or one can call 0471-2770515 between 9am to 6pm (IST).
Online teleservice for NRKs, telemedicine, legal aid are among other services offered on the NORKA website.
Helpline Number in Palakkad
For enquiries on COVID-19 lockdown and the relaxations allowed, the public may contact the numbers 0491-2505309, 8301803282 in Palakkad district.
Notify govt about fake news
The public may notify the Information & Public Relations Department's Anti Fake News Division about fake news by texting them on the Whatsapp number (9496003234) or through the twitter account @afdkerala. The Anti Fake News Division verifies and publishes the fake news on its Facebook page on a regular basis.
VidyaDaan 2.0 for e-learning content contributions
The Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' e-launched VidyaDaan 2.0 program for inviting e-learning content contributions in New Delhi.
For more information on the process of nomination and contribution through VidyaDaan, you may visit https://vdn.diksha.gov.in/ or go to https://diksha.gov.in/ and click on VidyaDaan.
KSEB to reduce bill amount
Non-domestic consumers of the KSEB have to pay only 70 per cent of the bill amount as the lockdown has been extended. This relaxation is meant for the non-domestic users who have been issued bills during lockdown on the basis of average consumption. The actual amount will be fixed after metre reading. Bill will be regularised later based on that.
The fixed surcharge for electricity in commercial establishments have been reduced from 18% to 12%. The KSEB had earlier informed that no fines will be levied on electricity bill payments till May 3.
SPC Blood donation camp
The Student Police Cadet (SPC) project, a school-based youth development initiative that trains high school students, has organised a blood donation drive to meet the blood supply shortage in the state. Each cadet will compile a list of willing donors from his/her circle of contacts. The SPC district offices will coordinate with the Jeevadhara scheme offices and match the blood requirements with the list of donors.
Forest produce at your doorstep
Vanasree products such as honey, tamarind, Marayur jaggery, Eucalyptus oil, pepper, pepper powder, cloves, wild turmeric, frankincense, lemongrass oil, red sandal powder and sappanwood (pathimukham) are now available at your doorsteps through the Forest Department's Eco-shops programme. The facility will be available for residents under the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Besides the price, delivery charges will be applicable on the goods. Interested persons may Whatsapp the order and location to the number 8281165348 (Convenor- G Santosh).
Scholarships for ST students to be disbursed
Ministry of Tribal affairs speeds up disbursal of scholarship funds due on or before March 31. The states have been asked to ensure that all pre-matric and post-matric scholarships are provided. The ministry had earlier asked the states to fix a Minimum Support Price for the forest produce supplied by the tribals to sustain their livelihood.
Railways' special parcel service
Southern Railway zone has launched SETU (Swift & Efficient Transport of Utilities), a 24*7 dedicated helpline number 90253 42449 that can be accessed by customers seeking assistance for booking parcels from different locations and with varied requirements.
Information regarding Parcel specials are also updated in Southern Railway website www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in
Financial aid for artists
Kerala's department of cultural affairs have announced a two month financial aid of Rs 1,000 for artists struggling during the lockdown. Artists, based out of Kerala, and working in the film, television field are elgible to apply for the same on the website www.keralafilm.com.
Folk artists who have been in the field for 10 years or more can apply for a financial aid of Rs 1000 for two months by visiting www.keralafolkloreacademy.com or by sending an e-mail to keralafolkloreacademy@gmail.com along with relevant documents.
Consular Services to Foreign Nationals
It has been decided to extend the period of providing consular services by the Office of Foreigners Regional Registration Officers/ Foreigners Registration Officers to foreign nationals, presently stranded in India till May 3.
Book lending on wheels
Books by bicycle, an initiative by a group of cycle lovers, will lend books to those who are unable to visit bookstalls, browse or buy one in Thiruvananthapuram. That too with big discounts. More details about the availability of the books have been posted on their Facebook page and group. Contact: 7356694005
Transport of essentials
The All India Agri Transport Call Centre at Krishi Bhavan will facilitate inter-state movement of perishables. The call centre numbers are 18001804200 and 14488. These numbers are available 24x7 service for coordination between different states.
Kerala police cyberdome has come out with an app to facilitate the delivery of essential commodities at your home till lockdown is in effect. The facility is in association with the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi. Consumers and traders can use the app or website.
Click here to download the app for consumers
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inventlabs.shopsapp
Click here to download the app for shops
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inventlabs.shopsapp.business
Telephonic counselling
The department of health and social justice have announced 'Balamitram', a counselling service for parents who have kids at home and have to work from home. The service will help the parents identify the children's anxieties during the lockdown and take corrective steps. The service will be available from 10am to 3pm by calling on 8281381357.
A check list is also published on www.cdckerala.org to see if the lockdown is causing anxiety issues among the children.
Telemedicine
The government's telemedicine facility is available by registering on: http://citizencenter.kerala.gov.in/
Patients wishing to consult doctors from various departments of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College may call in the number 0471 2528080 from 9am to 12pm from Monday to Saturday. SAT Government Dental College Hospital and Government Eye Hospital have also been roped in the telemedicine project.
Teleconsultation facility is also available in Aster Medicity. Appointments of doctors may be booked through their website www.astermedcity.com or through the number 0484-6699999.
Qure, a free telemedicine app, with doctors available across India has also made its services available in Kozhikode for free.
Along with this, Malayala Manorama's QKDOC app also lets you have an online consultation with doctors. You can book a video consultation with doctors online by choosing your doctors by paying the consultation fee online and connecting your doctor in a available time slot. Download app here.
Textbooks available online
For students stuck at home during the lockdown, the state government has made available textbooks from Grade 1 to 12 available on the Samagra site.
Rs 20 meals from Janakiya hotels
The Thiruvananthapuram Municipality in collaboration with Kudumbasree is all set to provide Rs 20 meals through Janakiya restaurants. The meals are delivered to households for just Rs 25. Those wishing to avail the home delivery facility of the Janakiya Hotel must book in advance before 8pm on the previous day. To order, please contact: 7034001843 , 7012285498 , 6235740810 , 9061917457 , 7012827903 , 8129016079 , 8921663462
'Edutainment' for kids
As 45 lakh children are now under lockdown at home, an online program - 'Avadhikala Santhoshangal' - for students has been set up in collaboration with KITE SCERT.
Students from class 5 to 9 can avail the service through the portal samagra.kite.kerala.gov.in. E-resources for students from class 1 to 12 are also available on the site.