UN chief hopes India, Pak pact will give opportunity for further talks
UNITED NATIONS: Top UN leadership has welcomed the announcement by militaries of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors, with UN chief Antonio Guterres expressing hope that this “positive step” will provide an opportunity for “further dialogue”.
In a significant move to ease tension, the militaries of India and Pakistan said on Thursday that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LOC) and other sectors.
“…The Secretary-general is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through established mechanisms,” Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN chief, said at the daily press briefing Thursday.
“He hopes that this positive step will provide an opportunity for further dialogue,” Dujarric said.
President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkir tweeted that he “wholeheartedly” welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.
“Their stated commitment to achieve sustainable peace through addressing each other’s core issues and concerns sets an example for other countries and demonstrates #UNGA values,” he said in the tweet.
In response to a question on whether the Secretary-general plans to talk to the leaders of India and Pakistan, Dujarric said, “there’s no plan that I’m aware of, but the Secretary General is always available for his good offices in any... between any Member States who would request it.”
The decision on the ceasefire, effective since Wednesday midnight, was taken at a meeting between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOS) of India and Pakistan.
NEW DELHI: The Covid-19 vaccination sessions will not be held this Saturday and Sunday in view of the Co-win digital platform transitioning from Co-win 1.0 to Co-win 2.0 as India gears up to inoculate people above 60 years and those over 45 years with comorbidities against the infection from March 1.
All states and UTS have been already informed about this transition, the Union Health ministry said.
The Co-win software was created for real-time monitoring of Covid-19 vaccine delivery.
The nationwide Covid-19 inoculation drive to vaccinate healthcare workers was launched on January 16 by the prime minister. Vaccination of frontline workers started on February 2.
“The country wide vaccination exercise is being exponentially expanded to include those above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with co-morbidities, from March 1. On this Saturday and Sunday (Feb 27 and 28), the Co-win digital platform will be transitioning from Co-win 1.0 to Co-win 2.0. In view of this, COVID-19 vaccination sessions will not be scheduled during these two days. The states and UTS have been already informed about this transition,” the ministry said.
According to official sources eligible beneficiaries would be able to register themselves on the Co-win platform from Monday itself after the transition.
There will also be a walk-in provision for beneficiaries to get themselves registered at the session site itself to get vaccinated.
Everyone above 60 years of age and those over 45 years with comorbidities will be able to get Covid-19 vaccine from March 1 for free at government facilities and for a charge at many private hospitals, the government said on Wednesday.
“Eligible beneficiaries would be able to register themselves on the Co-win platform from March 1 itself.there will also be a walk-in provision for the beneficiaries to get themselves registered at the nearby session site to get vaccinated,” said R S Sharma, Chairman of Empowered Group on Covid-19 Vaccine Administration.
He said the new version of the Co-win platform will be GPS enabled and beneficiaries will have the option to choose the inoculation session sites both at the government and private facilities.for those who would walk in, there will be volunteers to help those who are not tech-savvy to get registered.