1.47 lakh students, including 60 COVID-19 positive, appear for CET in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Sixty COVID-19 positive students were among the 1.47 lakh who appeared for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test for engineering and other courses which began on Thursday with precautionary measures such as social distancing, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan said.
Out of the 1.94 lakh students who had enrolled for it, a total of 1.47 lakh appeared on the first day of the three-day test at 497 centers across the state, marking about 75 percent attendance, Narayan, who holds the higher education portfolio, told a press conference here.
He said 60 of the students, including 12 from the city, were infected by the coronavirus and special arrangements, including separate seating, had been made for them.
Taking a cue from the smooth conduct of the SSLC and the pre-university examinations by the Department of Public Instruction, the state government proceeded with holding the CET for admission to engineering, agriculture, and pharma courses.
"Elaborate arrangements were made for the COVID-19 infected students to appear for the exam. They were brought to the examination centers and dropped back to their respective places in the department's ambulance," the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Separate sitting arrangements have been made for the COVID-19 students and they faced the examination courageously, he said.
As part of precautionary measures, usage of masks and sanitizers were made mandatory.
To maintain social distancing, a maximum of 24 students are allowed in one exam hall, he said.
Earlier in the day, he said: "We are abiding by the guidelines issued by the high court. Masks, sanitizers, and social distancing are mandatory for the students. There are no shortcomings in the arrangements by the government. Students can happily appear for the exam."
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday rejected a plea for a stay on the exams by petitioners who expressed concern that conduct of the test would push the candidates to the risk of COVID-19 and laid down guidelines to ensure the safety of the students.
Narayan said this year the counseling for the allotment of seats will be entirely done online.
Meanwhile, at Government Dental College at Ballari, an invigilator appeared in personal protection equipment covering himself completely.
Five COVID infected students, who appeared for the exam, expressed their satisfaction over the arrangements made in the college.
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Commercial LPG price hiked by Rs 993 per 19-kg cylinder
New Delhi (PTI): The price of commercial LPG was hiked by the steepest ever Rs 993 per 19-kg cylinder on Friday, marking the third straight monthly increase due to rising global energy prices linked to the West Asia conflict.
A 19-kg commercial LPG - used by establishments such as hotels and restaurtants - now costs a record Rs 3,071.5 in Delhi as against Rs 2,078.50 previously.
Rates were last increased by 195.50 per cylinder on April 1. Prior to that, prices had gone up by Rs 114.5 per 19-kg cylinder on March 1.
In three increases, commercial LPG rates have gone up by Rs 1,303.
Prices of domestic cooking gas LPG - the one used in household kitchens - remained unchanged. Domestic LPG rates were last hiked by Rs 60 per 14.2-kg cylinder on March 7. It costs Rs 913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi.
State-owned Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum revise ATF and LPG prices on the first day of every month based on international benchmarks and the exchange rate.
Global oil prices have shot up almost 50 per cent after the war in West Asia disrupted energy supply chains.
Petrol and diesel prices continue to remain frozen after a Rs 2 per-litre reduction in March last year; petrol currently costs Rs 94.72 per litre in Delhi and diesel Rs 87.62.
