Coronavirus updates for the day

June 12, 2020

Coronavirus may peak in mid-July or August: VC, Ganga Ram Hosp

“The curve doesn’t seem to flatten anytime soon. We might see a peak in early or mid-July or possibly in August. Moreover, I don’t anticipate the vaccine till the first quarter of next year,” Dr SP Byotra, Vice Chairman, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Positive Covid-19 cases went up to 6,149 in Haryana

Fresh 181 cases are reported, 78 cases from Gurugram reported on Friday morning with 48 in critical stage.

Delhi High Court orders interim release of pending salaries of MCD doctors in Delhi

HC also issues notice to centre, Delhi govt, others on its suo-motu petition after taking cognisance on a report related to non-payment of salaries to MCD doctors for last 3 months.

Scientists at Hyderabad based CSIR institution develop low-cost Covid-19 test

The test is waiting for approval. Once approved, it can test 20,000 – 50,000 Covid-19 samples daily, especially in remote areas which lack the availability of expert manpower and sophisticated machines.

Lockdown will not be extended in Maharashtra: CMO

Maharashtra’s Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Friday clarified that the lockdown in the state will not be extended and also appealed people to avoid crowding in order to halt the spread of Coronavirus.

India ranks fourth in the world in terms of Coronavirus cases

As per the data from the Union Health Ministry India has 2,97,535 Coronavirus cases, crossing the Covid-19 tally of the United Kingdom.

 

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 11, 2020

Sabrimala temple will not be opened for public

In the meeting with Sabrimala tantri and Travancore Devaswom Board, it has been decided that Sabrimala Temple will not be opened for public for the monthly pooja and temple festival will also be cancelled: Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said the state if not hiding number of deaths

“There is no community spread in Tamil Nadu till now. Coronavirus has been curtailed in many districts of the state. Since Chennai is densely populated the spread of the virus is more there” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Social distancing norms were violated in Bihar

On the 73rd birthday of Party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, a food distribution programme was organised by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers in Patna where social distancing norms were violated.

Karnataka government extends ban on online classes till 7th standard

Earlier, it was decided to not allow online classes till 5th standard.

India records the highest single-day spike of 9,987 cases; death toll 7,466

As per ministry’s latest bulletin, the number of cases in the country is increasing worryingly.

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 9, 2020

Delhi will have 5.5 lakh Coronavirus cases by July 31: AAP government

“5.5 lakh Covid-19 cases are expected in Delhi by July 31. We will need 80,000 beds by then.”: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia

Karnataka orders RWA’s not to organise birthday parties, social gatherings, kitty parties etc

In a circular, Karnataka government said all visitors and guests should be screened before entering the campus by using thermal scanners and hand wash or sanitise facility should be provided to the visitors in the entry/exit of the residential buildings.

Police headquarters in Himachal Pradesh Sealed

DGP and 30 other officers in self-quarantine after Coronavirus scare: Spokesperson

Shimla: Nearly 30 police officer and personnel incl state DGP put under isolation

They are to be medically tested after a person who visited Police HQ on 1st June tested positive for Covid-19 & later passed away in Delhi on June 9. The areas of the HQ he had visited being sealed & sanitised.

Bihar: Malls in Patna reopened after the government allowed the opening of shopping malls

The authorities took special measures as per the guidelines by the centre. The store manager said, “Our shop is open now, but most of our customers are coming only after appointment on call.”

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 8, 2020

Maharashtra now reports more Coronavirus cases than China

The state’s 7 days moving average of daily cases has witnessed a consistent rise right from the start of the pandemic indicating that the peak may be far away at this point in time.

Arvind Kejriwal goes into self-quarantine, may take a test for Covid-19 infection

“He had consulted a doctor over the phone and plans to get himself tested tomorrow if symptom don’t subside”: AAP spokesperson said.

India to resume international flights after other countries ease restrictions: Aviation Minister

• “A decision to resume regular international passenger flights as soon as countries ease restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals. Destination countries have to be ready to allow incoming flights,”
• “Most countries have less than 10 per cent international operations because they are allowing entry only to their own citizens & have placed restrictions on foreign nationals,”: Hardeep Singh Puri.

India ranks 5th worst-hit Covid-19 country in the world

As per the calculation noted on Saturday with biggest ever jump since the pandemic with 9,887 Covid-19 cases, India has now become fifth-worst Coronavirus-hit country in the world surpassing Spain with around 244,000 cases.

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 6, 2020

West Bengal: Two judges test positive for Covid-19

In the first such instance in West Bengal two judges of a city court have tested positive for Covid-19 following which people who had come in contact with them have been advised to proceed on home quarantine, state health department sources said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses the people of Delhi through video

• We launched a mobile app to stop the black marketing of beds. We thought of making the information about a number of beds and ventilators in hospitals transparent. There was an uproar over it as if we committed a crime.
• Some hospitals are denying admission to Covid-19 patients. I am warning those who think they will be able to do black-marketing of beds using the influence of their protectors from other parties, you will not be spared.

Ghaziabad: Preparations underway at Gaur Central Mall in Raj Nagar ahead of reopening on June 8

Shopping malls in Uttar Pradesh that are outside containment/buffer zones have been allowed to open from 9 am to 9 pm, by the state government.

Bengaluru’s Vidhyarthi Bhavan restaurant will reopen with a partition on the table from June 8

“We want to reinstall confidence among customers. The epidemic is a new experience for all of us & has become the new normal”: Arun Adiga, Manager.

Places of worship shall remain open only between 5 am and 8 pm: Punjab Government

Punjab government has issued guidelines for reopening of places of worship, hotels, restaurants & other hospitality services & shopping malls from June 8; Restaurants shall only be allowed to open for taking away and home delivery as of now.

 

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 5, 2020

Maharashtra: Shops in Mumbai’s Zaveri bazaar is opening on odd-even basis from today

As per state govt orders, shops in Zaveri Bazaar have been directed to open on the odd-even basis to ensure that social distancing norms are followed.

Covid-19 test can be done at home under Rs 1000: Punjab Health Minister

“Govt labs have a capacity of 9000 tests per day. We’ve launched a scheme under which ppl can contact private labs for sampling at home for which they’ll charge Rs 1000 as service charge. They’ll do sampling & test will be done for free in our labs”: BS Sidhu, Punjab Health Minister.

Testing update for Covid-19 by ICMR as on June 5, 2020

• Total sample tested: 43,86,379
• Sample tests in 24 hours: 1,43,661

Govt staff need to visit work once a week: Maharashtra govt

The Maharashtra govt on Friday said that it is mandatory for govt staff to visit the office once a week during the Covid-19 lockdown, failing which they will have to face salary cut.

Migrant labourer are being tracked after returning to their respective states: State Principal Secretary (Health)

The labourers are being tracked with the help of ASHA workers. 12,80,833 labourers have been tracked till now, out of which 1,163 are symptomatic. Their samples have been collected for the test: State Principal Secretary (Health), Amit Mohan Prasad.

Shooting for TV serials will resume from June 10

No child actor will be allowed on sets. Actors aged above 65 may join work after submitting a written undertaking that they are coming for shooting willingly says West Bengal PWD, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Aroop Biswas.

Kerala: Hotels and restaurants gear up to resume operations from June 8

Hotels and restaurants in Ernakulam are gearing up to reopen from June 8 as permitted by state govt. Azeez district chief of Kerala Hotel & Restaurant Association says, “We will take all precautions against Covid-19 & ensure that workers avoid direct contact with customers”

No public programs will be held on Yoga day: AYUSH Ministry

“Earlier Prime Minister Modi had to take part in Yoga Day program at Leh, but now due to the Covid-19 crisis, nothing is final. No public programs will be held on that day”: Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, AYUSH Ministry.

In the last 24 hours, a total of 5,355 Covid-19 patients have cured: Health Ministry

So far, a total of 1,09,462 patients have been cured. Recovery rate is 48.27% amongst Covid-19 patients. Presently, there are 1,10,960 active cases and all are under active medical supervision.

Delhi: St. Thomas Church at Mandir Marg is all set to reopen on June 8

After the Ministry of Health Affairs (MHA) allowed the opening of places of worship, St. Church is gearing up to reopen. The Church administration says “we will have to plan accordingly as social distancing have to be maintained.”

India Reaches Record Spike of 9,851 Cases, 6,348 Fatalities

India saw a record single-day jump of 9,851 Coronavirus cases and 273 deaths on Friday, pushing the nationwide infection tally to 2,26,770 and the death toll to 6,348: Union Health Ministry.

 

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 4, 2020

Delhi records highest single-day spike on Wednesday: Authorities

Delhi records 1,513 fresh Coronavirus cases, highest single-day spike takes tally to over 23K; death toll climbs to 606.

Defence secretary tests positive for Covid-19

Defence secretary Ajay Kumar tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday.

India Records 9,304 new cases in past 24 hours

With this, the country’s total number of cases stands at 2,16,919 of which 1,06,737 is active and 260 fatalities in the past 24 hours.

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 3, 2020

The total number of containment zones in Delhi is now 158

Amongst which 58 zones have been de-contained till date.

Salons reopen in Gole market in Delhi

The government has allowed the opening of barbershops in the national capital.

Delhi government forms a 5-member committee of doctors for a ground report of hospitals

This 5-member committee of doctors will prepare a report on the situation of hospitals in the national capital, availability of medical facilities and also on providing medical aid to patients from outside Delhi.

Assam has reported 48 new cases: State Health Department

The additional new cases take the total number to 1,561 including 337 recoveries and four fatalities. The number of active cases stands at 1,217.

Rajasthan reports 102 new cases: State Health Department

The new 102 infections taking the state’s total to 9,475. The number of active cases stands at 2,766 and fatalities at 203.

51 new Covid19 cases reported in Jharkhand: State Health Department

With new 51 cases, the total number of cases rises to 726. Till date, 320 patients have recovered/discharged. The number of active cases is 401. The death toll is at 5.

79 new cases reported in Andhra Pradesh: State Covid-19 Nodal Officer

The new 79 cases taking the state’s total to 3,279, fatalities at 68.

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 3, 2020

Health Ministry briefs press on Covid-19

Lav Agrawal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry

• Till now, 95,527 Covid-19 patients have recovered. The recovery rate is now 48.07%
• The fatality rate in our country is 2.82%, one of the lowest in the world
• 10% of India’s population accounts for 50% of India’s Covid-19 linked deaths
• 73% of Covid-19 deaths in India are people with co-morbidities
• We have asked all states to analyse the trajectory of the cases in their respective states. If a state thinks that it needs to set up temporary Covid-19 care centres then it must do so

Nivedita Gupta, Scientist at Indian Council of Medical Research 

• We have 681 laboratories that are approved for conducting Covid-19 tests 476 in Government sector and 205 in the private sector, as of 1st June 2020. Today, we are conducting 1 lakh 20 thousand tests every day
• Indian RNA extraction kits are now available in good number, RT-PCR kits by 11-12 indigenous vendors are now being used, we are now in a comfortable position as reg. testing, due to identification and hand-holding of domestic players
• We’ve been using indigenous platforms too for ramping up Covid-19 testing capacity. Truenat screening & confirmatory tests have now been validated. The outreach of testing has hence been increased since this is available in primary health centres and districts

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal briefs media on Covid-19

• “We’re four steps ahead of Coronavirus. Cases of Coronavirus are increasing in Delhi but we have made all the arrangements for beds, ICUs and ventilators”
• “Also, for all information related to hospitals and beds, you can call on our helpline 1031. They will send you an SMS with the status of bed availability in Delhi hospitals”
• “Total of 302 ventilators is available in Delhi, of which 210 are vacant. All this information will be updated on this app twice a day, 10 am & 6 pm, to give you the latest details”
• “No. of cases in Delhi are increasing, but there’s no need to worry about medical care for Covid-19 patients as we’ve done sufficient arrangements. If any member of your family tests positive, then they’ll get the required medical services”
• “If a hospital refuses to provide you bed even when our app shows beds are available in that hospital, then you can call on 1031. Our Special Secretary will take action immediately and contact the hospital authorities to provide your bed on the spot”

Railway Police HQ in Lucknow sealed after driver tests Covid-19 positive

After the driver of the staff officer of the Additional Director General (ADG) Railways tested Covid-19 positive, the entire floor of the railway police headquarters in the Signature building in Lucknow has been sealed yesterday for 48 hours. Further, the floor has been disinfected and sanitized.

 

Coronavirus updates for the day

June 1, 2020

India ranked 7th in the list of top 10 most affected countries in the world

As per a report by the worldmeter website, India is now the seventh most affected country by the Coronavirus pandemic with a tally of 190,162 cases, which includes 5,402 fatalities.

A total of 333 people have tested COVID-19 positive in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh health department confirmed that out of 333 people, 116 have recovered and 5 fatalities have been reported in the state so far.

Uttarakhand’s Covid-19 tally rise to 929

With 23 fresh cases, the total number of infections rose to 929. So far, the virus has claimed six lives in the state.

Indian railways started operations of 200 passenger trains from Monday

• These special trains are in addition to already operational 30 Rajdhani type trains, and Shramik trains
• Social distancing norms being followed by passengers at New Delhi Railway station.

Punjab levies additional excise duty on liquor

“We’ve decided to levy additional excise duty and assessed free in lieu of Covid-19 cess on liquor with effect from June 1. These would range from Rs 2 to Rs 50 depending on the type and size of the item. The amount collected will be utilised for coronavirus-related expenditure”: Punjab Chief Miniter Capt Amarinder Singh

Coronavirus updates for the day

May 29, 2020

GTB hospital declared as designated COVID hospital

Delhi government announced Delhi’s Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital as designated Covid-19 hospital for confirmed/suspected cases of Coronavirus. It is the fifth hospital to be declared as designated Covid-19 hospital in the capital.

Air India flight (AI-1945) going to Moscow from Delhi returned midway

Air India flight returned midway after pilot’s Covid-19 test result came positive. Aircraft under disinfection process at Delhi airport.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses the media

• Delhi is witnessing the surge in Covid-19 cases, we accept it. But there is nothing to worry about, I assure you that we are fully prepared. We cannot be in a permanent lockdown
• It is a matter of concern but it is nothing to be scared of. I assure you that your government is four steps ahead of Coronavirus
• Out of the total patients, only 2100 are in hospitals rest are undergoing treatment at their homes. 6500 beds are ready till date and 9500 beds will be ready by another week
• “Most of the people are recovering, and they are recovering at home. There is no need to panic,”

PM refers to resolve Covid-19 in his letter to the nation

“Due to the global pandemic, this is certainly a time of crisis but for us Indians, this is also a time for a firm resolve. We must always remember that the present and future of 130 crores will never be dictated by an adversity”

PM also pinned his hope for economic turnaround on the occasion of the first anniversary of his second term

“Many feared that India will become a problem for the world when Corona hits India. But today, through sheer confidence and resilience, you have transformed the way the world looks at us. You have proven that the collective strength and potential of Indians is unparalleled compared even to the powerful and prosperous countries of the world”

Karnataka CM hints at no complete lockdown on Sunday

“There will be no complete lockdown on Sunday in the interest of the general public of the state. Normal day to day life will continue tomorrow”

Centre flags 145 districts as probable Covid-19 hotspots

The cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba said that 12 states, including Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha in eastern India which had not reported many cases earlier, have witnessed rapid infection spread in the three weeks until May 25.

Total cases in India stands at 1,73,763 as on Saturday morning

• Active cases: 86,422
• Cured/Discharged: 82,369
• Deaths: 4,971
• Migrated: 1

India records biggest single-day jump with 7,964 Coronavirus cases

The country’s total number of cases now stands at 1,73,763 as per the Union Health Ministry. Further, with 265 deaths in the past 24 hours, the country has logged 4,971 deaths since the pandemic began.

15 new COVID-19 cases reported in Nasik; total tally at 1,166

The city further recorded 8 new fatalities.

Coronavirus updates for the day

May 29, 2020

460 domestic flights carrying 34,336 passengers were operated on Thursday: Aviation Minister

Domestic flight operations resumed in India on Monday after a gap of two months. A total of 428 and 445 domestic services were operated in the country on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Lockdown May Extend in Goa

Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said lockdown must be extended for 15 more days, it is needed, as the graph of COVID-19 is rising.

India’s Covid-19 fatalities surpass China’s

With 175 new fatalities in 24 hours, bringing the country’s total to 4,706, India’s Coronavirus death toll passes China’s. With a record jump in cases, India is emerging as a new hot spot.

Delhi reports 1,106 new cases

The total positive Covid-19 cases reached 17,386, 398 fatalities in Delhi. 7,846 people have recovered so far.

Assam reports 30 more Covid-19 cases

The state’s total number of positive cases reaches 910 and active cases stand at 800.

Amit Shah meets PM Modi; briefs on CMs views on lockdown

Union Home Minister Amit Shah briefs Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the views of all chief ministers on the extension of lockdown beyond May 31.

11 more healthcare workers at AIIMS tests Coronavirus positive

The addition of 11 cases took the total number of hospital staff infected so far to 206.

Coronavirus Updates for the day

May 22, 2020

COVID-19 cases in India continue to spike. According to the latest report issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday the number of cases in the country crossed over 1.18-lakh mark. The death toll touched 3,580. However, the Union Health Ministry has said that the mortality rate in COVID-19 cases in the country is 3.06 per cent as against the global rate of 6.65.

The health ministry has given the credit to medical staffers, proper clinical management, and timely case identification for low mortality in comparison to other nations. The worst-affected state Maharashtra alone has reported more than 40,000 cases while the state capital Mumbai witnessed over 25,000 novel coronavirus cases so far. Over 14,54 people have died in Maharashtra due to the deadly virus.

Delhi is also on the receiving end and saw 660 new positive cases in the last 24-hour. The total COVID-19 positive cases in the national capital have touched 12,319 while death tolls stand at 208.

The country is observing lockdown 4.0. It will continue till May 31. The government has announced several relaxations like to resume air services and partial restart of many trains. Shops can open but social distancing norms will be maintained.

Here are today’s COVID-19 updates.

5 new COVID-19 cases, 5 discharged, active cases 88 in UP’s Gautam Buddh Nagar

Five more persons tested positive for coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar on Friday, taking the number of cases in the district to 307, officials said.

138 new COVID19 positive cases reported in Karnataka

Over 138 new COVID19 positive cases reported in the state from May 21, 5 pm to 5 pm today, taking the total number of cases in the state to 1,743 including 597 discharges: Karnataka Health Department

786 new COVID19 positive cases reported in Tamil Nadu today

786 new COVID19 positive cases reported in the state today; the total number of positive cases in the state rises to 14,753: Tamil Nadu Health Department

Lawyers’ chambers at Saket district court to open

Lawyers can visit their chambers from 10 am to 12:30 pm and access shall be permitted to one advocate per chamber and in case more than one person shares the chamber, co-sharer can access it while maintaining norms of social distancing, as per the letter’s suggestions.

Malayalam actor Prithviraj, crew return from Jordan

In Kerala, Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran and 57-member crew of film Aadujeevitham return to Kochi from Jordan in a special Air India flight, as per Vande Bharath Mission.

1,666 COVID 19 cases in Maharashtra Police

“Number of COVID-19 cases rises to 1,666 in Maharashtra Police. Number of active cases and deaths stands at 1,177 and 16, respectively in the force.

Coronavirus Updates for May 21, 2020

Total Coronavirus cases in India have jumped to 1,12,359 while 3,435 people have died due to COVID-19. The total number of novel coronavirus active cases in the country are 63,624. The recovery rate in India is now over 39 per cent, as per details shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Around 50 lakh people have been affected worldwide by COVID-19, and over 3.28 lakh people have died amid this deadly pandemic.

Here are the latest updates of COVID -19 insinuation in the country.  

Bihar reports 96 new COVID 19 cases

May 21, 2020

96 more positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Bihar today, taking the total number of positive cases to 1872

Delhi records 571 cases in the last 24 hours   

May 21, 2020    

Coronavirus death toll in Delhi mounts to 194; the highest single-day spike of 571 fresh cases takes tally to 11,659,” Authorities were saying.

Sale of lottery tickets starts in Kerala

May 21, 2020

In Kerala, the sale of lottery tickets has resumed in the state after almost two months. Ramesan B, a retail lottery ticket seller in Thiruvananthapuram, said, “We are witnessing fall in sales as people stay at home due to lockdown 4.0.”

Rajasthan records 131 COVID 19 cases; 3 deaths today

May 21, 2020

Over 131 new coronavirus positive cases and three deaths were witnessed in India. The state has also seen 18 recovered patients and 41 discharged today so far. The total number of positive cases in the state rose to 6,146, including 150 deaths and 3,422 recovered and 3,041 discharged,” Rajasthan Health Department was saying.

Barabanki emerges a fresh COVID-19 hotspot in Uttar Pradesh

May 21, 2020

Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district has emerged as the new COVID-19 hotspot as 95 new cases of the virus were reported in a single day, half of them are migrant workers returning from other states. District Magistrate, Barabanki, Aadarsh Kumar, said on Wednesday that of the 245 samples sent for testing on May 15-16, 95 have been found positive. 

Karnataka registers 116 new COVID 19 cases

May 21, 2020

Over 116 new COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Karnataka (from 5 PM yesterday to midnight today), 14 people have been discharged during this period. Total positive cases in the state rose to 1,568; total deaths stand at 41, and a total of 570 people have been discharged so far.

Housing society in Ghatkopar organises samosa party amid lockdown

May 21, 2020

Mumbai Police have arrested two members of a cooperative housing society in Ghatkopar area where a party with music and snacks was organised earlier this week. Mumbai is currently under a strict lockdown, and prohibitory orders are in place to check public gatherings in a bid to flatten the curve of coronavirus that has wreaked havoc in the city.

Jharkhand registers 158 active COVID 19 cases

May 21, 2020

“Total number of cases in Jharkhand now at 290, including 158 active cases and 129 recovered/discharged,” State Health Department was quoted as saying.

Buses restart in Chandigarh amidst COVID 19 lockdown 4.0

May 21, 2020

Chandigarh Transport Undertaking has resumed bus services in the union territory amid continuing COVID-19 lockdown. A bus driver said, “We are not allowing more than 15 people to board the bus at a time to ensure social distancing among passengers”.

75% of testing kits now domestically manufactured

May 21, 2020

India is now procuring about 75% of its testing kits from domestic manufacturers, officials said on Wednesday.

Migrant workers cannot be blamed for rise of COVID-19 cases

May 21, 2020

Migrant workers cannot be blamed for the increase in cases of coronavirus,” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

5 fresh COVID 19 cases in Hamirpur, total 126 in Himachal Pradesh

May 21, 2020

Five new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Hamirpur, according to District Collector Harikesh Meena. With this, the number of cases has reached 126 in Himachal Pradesh out of which 69 cases are active.

List of new containment zone in Gautam Buddh Nagar

May 21, 2020

Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration has released a list of containment zones, divided into category 1 and category 2. A total of 63 zones have been identified (37 in category 1 and 26 in category 2).

Covid-19 crisis and testing

May 21, 2020

There seems to be a plateau in the number of COVID-19 tests per day that India aspires to—about 100,000. At this rate, close to two years would elapse before 5% of Indians are tested once.

COVID-19 badly affected Ola

May 21, 2020

Taxi aggregator Ola said on Wednesday, it has decided to let go of 1,400 employees as the Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a severe blow to its businesses.

0.2 deaths per lakh population in India: Lav Agarwal

May 20, 2020

“If the total population of the world is taken into account then 62 people per lakh population have been affected due to COVID-19. In India, 7.9 people per lakh population of this country got affected due to COVID-19. 4.2 people per lakh population across the world have died due to the disease. In India, it is 0.2 deaths per lakh population”: Lav Agarwal, Health Ministry Joint Secretary

Centre released guidelines for exams amid COVID-19

May 20, 2020

Taking into consideration the academic interest of a large number of students, it has been decided to grant exemption from the lockdown measures to conduct Board Examination for classes 10th and 12th. Here are some of the exemptions to conduct Board Examination which will be subject to the following conditions:

• In the containment zone, no examination centre will be permitted
• Wearing face masks by teachers, staff and students will be mandatory
• There shall be the provision of thermal screening and sanitizer at the centres and social distancing in all the examination centres
• In view of examination to be conducted by different Boards, their examination schedules should be staggered
• Special buses may be arranged by the states and UTs for transportation of the students to the examination centres

Railways to run 100 pairs of non-ac trains from June 1

May 20, 2020

• Online ticket booking for these trains will be available soon
• A schedule for these trains will be released soon

9 new COVID-19 cases reported in Uttarakhand

May 20, 2020

• Adding the 9 new cases brings the state’s total to 120: Uttarakhand State Control Room for COVID-19
• 1 cured/discharged so far

Cabinet approves ‘Atma Nirbhar Package’

May 20, 2020

“Cabinet approves, ‘Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Package’ for allocation of food grains for migrants amid the Covid-19 crisis” director-General of Press Information Bureau

Rajasthan reports 107 new cases COVID-19 till 2:00 pm today

May 20, 2020

• The total number of confirmed Coronavirus cases now stands at 5,952 in the state
• The total number of deaths stands at 143

12 new COVID-19 cases reported in Himachal Pradesh

May 20, 2020

• 12 people who are infected are amongst the 697 people who have returned from Mumbai
• These people were returning from Mumbai to Himachal Pradesh on a special train on May 18
• The state’s total count stands at 105, amongst which 51 of them have been cured

A new Special Liquidity Scheme Approved by PM

May 20, 2020

“Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi approves proposal of the Finance Ministry to launch a new Special Liquidity Scheme for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) to improve the liquidity position  of the NBFCs/HFCs” K.S Dhatwalia, DG of Press Information Bureau

The COVID-19 death toll rose to 3,303: Union Health Ministry

May 20, 2020

After an increase of 140 more deaths in the last 24 hours, the fatality rate spiked to 3,303. India also recorded the highest single-day jump in the last 24 hours with 5,611 cases, bringing the total to 1,06,750.

63 More COVID cases reported in Karnataka: Health Department

May 20, 2020

• Between 5.00 PM yesterday and 12.00 PM today, Karnataka reported 63 more COVID-19 cases
• Total number of cases rose to 1,458 in the state, including 41 deaths

Govt is open to further stimulus: Finance Minister

May 20, 2020

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam said “I am not ruling it out. I have to see how it (pandemic) develops as we go further”
• On May 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 20 lakh crore economic package

India extends medical help to gulf region

May 20, 2020

• During COVID-19 outbreak, around 108 medics departed from Cochin airport for UAE
• Earlier, a team had gone to Kuwait from India

Beneficiaries of Ayushmann Bharat Scheme Crossed 1 Crore: PM

May 20, 2020

• The PM Tweeted from his official account saying “It would make every Indian proud that the number of Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries has crossed 1 crore. In less than two years, this initiative has had a positive impact on so many lives. I congratulate all the beneficiaries and their families. I also pray for their good health.”
• Further, the PM also tweeted about his interaction with the “1 croreth beneficiaries” of the health insurance scheme – Pooja Thapa from Meghalaya who is the wife of army personnel – in a telephonic interview: “During my official tours, I would interact with Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries. Sadly, that is not possible these days but I did have a great telephonic interaction with Pooja Thapa from Meghalaya, the 1 croreth beneficiary.
• PM also shared the benefits of the scheme “One of the biggest benefits of Ayushman Bharat is portability. Beneficiaries can get top quality and affordable medical care not only where they registered but also in other parts of India. This helps those who work away from home or registered at a place where they don’t belong.“
• Appreciating the efforts of health workers “I appreciate our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and all others associated with Ayushman Bharat. Their efforts have made it the largest healthcare programme in the world. This initiative has won the trust of several Indians, especially the poor and downtrodden.”

Kerala Govt postpones board exams for class 10

May 20, 2020

• State board’s guidelines in the same regards will be released after the union government’s guidelines will be released on June 1
• Exam dates will be announced after Centre’s further announcement of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country

Total samples tested in 24 hours stands at 1,08,121: ICMR

May 20, 2020

• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed that 1,08,121 samples tested for COVID-19 in last 24 hours
• The total sample tested stands at 25,12,388

India records new biggest single-day jump

May 20, 2020

• As per the Union Health Ministry figures, India records 5,611 COVID-19 cases and 140 deaths in 24 hours
• The total number stands at 1,06,750, including 3,303 fatalities

Public transport reinstated in Delhi

May 20, 2020

During the fourth lockdown, public transport has been re-instated in Delhi. As per the fresh guidelines, only 1 passenger is allowed to travel in an auto-rickshaw at a time.

Health Ministry issues guidelines for dental services

May 19, 2020

All dental clinics will remain closed in the containment zones.

Delhi records 500 new COVID-19 Cases

May 19, 2020

• Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says the government will prioritise bringing down the fatality rate
• Delhi’s COVID-19 rate is 1.57 per cent at present
• The total number of cases in Delhi stands at 10,554
• Of the total cases, 4,750 have recovered or been discharged

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Press Meet on Lockdown 4.0

May 18, 2020

Lockdown 4.0 guidelines for Delhi 

• Construction activities to be allowed in Delhi
• Two-wheelers will be allowed but with no pillion rider
• Govt, private offices will be allowed to open in Delhi
• No activity will be allowed in containment zones in Delhi
• 50 people to be allowed in marriage functions; 20 people can attend funerals
• Passengers boarding buses will be screened
• Markets to be opened with staggered timings; four-wheelers with only two passengers will be allowed
• Restaurants can open for home-delivery, dining facility now allowed
• Religious gatherings not allowed in Delhi till May 31
• Metro, trains, schools, colleges, shopping malls and swimming pools to remain closed
• Barbershops, spas and saloons to remain closed for now
• Stepping out of homes between 7 pm to 7 am, except for essential services will be prohibited
• Taxis & cabs will be allowed but only 2 passengers at a time in a car

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) releases a revised strategy for Covid-19 testing

May 18, 2020

• All symptomatic (ILI symptoms) individuals with history of international travel in the last 14 days
• All symptomatic (ILI symptoms) contacts of laboratory-confirmed cases
• All symptomatic (ILI symptoms) health care workers/frontline workers involved in containment and mitigation of COVID-19
• All patients of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI)
• Asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case to be tested once between day 5 and day 10 of coming into contact
• All symptomatic ILI within hotspots/containment zones
• All hospitalised patients who develop ILI symptoms
• All symptomatic ILI among returnees and migrants within 7 days of illness
• No emergency procedure (including deliveries) should be delayed for lack of test. However, sample can be sent for testing if indicated as above (1-8), simultaneously

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Rs 20 lakh crores to make India ‘Atma-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’

May 16, 2020

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today made her fourth announcement of  Rs 20 trillion fiscal and monetary package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lift the economy of the country amid COVID-19 pandemic

Here is some important announcement made by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman today

Announcements made today will prove to be game-changer: Defence Minister

FDI limit in defence manufacturing under automatic route has now been raised from 49% to 74%. This will unleash the true potential of Indian defence production capabilities through ‘Make in India’. Announcements made today will prove to be game-changer: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

He also added, “Corporatisation will improve the efficiency of Ordnance supplies and factories.”

Atomic Energy-related reforms: Indian to establish research reactor

* Establish research reactor in PPP mode for the production of medical isotope

* Establish facilities in PPP mode to use irradiation technology for food preservation to compliment agricultural reforms and assist farmers

* Link India’s robust start-up ecosystem to the nuclear sector.

* Technology development cum incubation centres will be set up for fostering synergy between research facilities and tech- entrepreneurs

FinMin proposes reforms in the Space sector

* Private sector will be a co-travellers in India’s space journey

* Will provide a level playing field for private companies in satellite, launches, and space-based services

* Will provide predictable policy and regulatory environment

* Private sector will be allowed to use ISRO facilities

* Future projects for planetary exploration, out space travel to be open for private sector

* Liberal geospatial data policy for providing remote sensing data to tech-entrepreneurs

Social Infrastructure projects to be boosted by private investment

* Social Infrastructure projects suffer from poor viability

* Govt will enhance the quantum of viability gap funding up to 30 per cent each of total project cost as VGF by Centre and State/Statutory bodies

* Government proposes an outlay of Rs 8100 crore

* Projects to be proposed by Central ministries, the state government

Privatisation of Power Distribution in UTs proposed by Centre

* Privatisation of Power Distribution Companies in UTs

* Suboptimal performance of power, distribution and supply

* Will lead to better service to consumers

* DISCOMS inefficiencies not to burden consumers

* Standard of service and penalties for DISCOMs

* DISCOMs to ensure adequate power

* No regulatory assets

* Timely payment of Gencos

* DBT for subsidy

Aviation Sector reforms proposed by the government

Here are the proposed reforms in Airspace management

* Only 60% of Indian airspace freely available. Restriction on the utilisation of the Indian air space will be eased so that flying becomes more efficient

* It will bring a benefit of about Rs 1000 crore per year for the aviation sector

* Optimal utilisation of airspace, prediction in fuel use, time

* Will have a positive environmental impact

* Six more airports are up for auction on PPP basis. Bid process to begin soon

* Additional investment worth Rs 13,000 crore expected by private players in 12 airports

* AAI will get a down payment of Rs 2300 crore

* Plan to make India a hub for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)

* Aircraft component repairs and airframe maintenance to increase from Rs 800 crore to Rs 2000 crore

* Major engine manufacturers in the world would set up engine repair facilities

* Convergence between defence sector and civil aviation

* Maintenance costs will come down

Govt to notify a list of weapons/platforms for a ban on their import focus on indigenisation

Govt to notify a list of weapons/platforms for a ban on their import focus on indigenisation. Being done in consultation with the Department of Military Affairs

* Make in India for self-reliance in Defence Production

* Notify a list of weapons/platforms for the ban on import with year-wise timeliness

* Indigenisation of imported spares

* Separate budget provisions for domestic capital procurement

* Will help reduce the defence import bill

* Improve autonomy, accountability, and efficiency in Ordnance supplies by Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board

* Ordnance Factory Board to be corporatised

* FDI Limit being raised from 49% to 74%

* Time bound defence procurement process and faster decision making to be done

Proposed reforms in the mineral sector

* Introduction of seamless composite exploration-cum-mining-cum-production regime

* 500 mining blocks would be offered through the open auction process

* Introduction of a joint auction of Bauxite and coal mineral blocks to enhance the Aluminum industry’s competitiveness.

* Remove the distinction between captive and non-captive mines

* Ministry of Mines developing a Mineral Index for difference minerals

* Rationalisation of stamp duty payable at the time of award of mining leases

Commercial mining to be introduced in the coal sector

* Introduction of commercial mining in the coal sector

* Govt to introduce competition, transparency and private sector participation

* Commercial mining on a revenue-sharing base will end ownership bid. Any party can bid for coal block and seek in the open market

* Entry norms will be liberalised with the government to offer 50 blocks immediately

* No eligibility conditions required, only upfront payment with a ceiling

* Rs 50,000 crore will be spent for creating evacuation infrastructure

* Coal gasification, liquefication will be incentivised

Govt to announce structural reforms in 8 sectors

Here are the sectors in which the government is announcing structural reforms to bring a new line of investments:

* Coal

* Mineral

* Defence production

* Airspace management

* Airports

* MRO

* Distribution companies in UTs

* Space

* Atomic energy

Upgradation of Industrial Infrastructure

* Schemes will be implemented in states through challenge mode for industrial cluster up-gradation of common infra facilities

* 3376 industrial parks/estates/SEZs in 5 lakh hectares mapped

* Industrial parks will be ranked in 2020-21

Govt announces policy reforms to fast-track investments

* Fast track investment clearance through Empowered Groups

* Project Development Cell in each ministry to prepare, coordinate with investors

* Ranking of states on investment attractiveness to compete for new investments

* Incentive scheme for promotion of New Champion sectors will be launched in sectors such as solar PV manufacturing, advanced cell battery storage and others.

Structural reforms focus of announcement today

FM recalls policy changes adopted by the government

* Direct Benefit Transfer

* Goods and Services Tax

* Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

* Steps were taken for ease of doing business

* Direct taxation records

* Power Sector reforms

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the third tranche of Rs 20-lakh-crore stimulus

May 15, 2020

• “We have made purchases worth more than Rs 74,300 crore through MSP during the lockdown”: Sitharaman
• FM also says that a number of measures have been taken to support farmers
• The government is providing 1 lakh crore for FPOs for strengthening farm-gate infrastructure for farmers
• The fund will tackle the infrastructural issue for agricultural startups
• Govt has designed a Rs 10,000 crore scheme for the formalisation of Micro food enterprises (MFEs)
• Govt has also designed a Rs 20,000 crore scheme for fishermen called Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
• Another fund of Rs 15,000 crore will be set up for Animal Husbandry infrastructure development
• A Rs 500 crore scheme is being introduced to promote beekeeping
• The government will amend the Essential Commodities Act, 1955
• Operation Greens will extend from Tomatoes, Onions and Potatoes (TOP) to all fruits and vegetables (TOTAL)

India’s PM Narendra Modi discussed the global response to COVID-19 on Thursday with Bill Gates

May 15, 2020

• The two also discussed the importance of global coordination in scientific innovation and research to combat the pandemic.
• PM Narendra Modi tweeted from his official account saying “Had an extensive interaction with @BillGates. We discussed issues ranging from India’s efforts to fight Coronavirus, work of the @gatesfoundation in battling COVID-19, the role of technology, innovation and producing a vaccine to cure the pandemic”

Points to take away from the press conference by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday interacted with media persons and provided the much-coveted details of using the Rs 20 lakh crores (Rs 20 Trillion)economic package. Here are the details of Sitharaman’s press meet.

Rs 20-trillion economic package: FM announces Rs 3 trillion collateral-free automatic loan for businesses

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced Rs 3 trillion collateral-free automatic loan for businesses, including MSMEs. This will benefit 45 lakh small businesses, she said detailing parts of the Rs 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package.
• The loan will have 4-year tenure and will have a 12-month moratorium, he said. Also, Rs 20,000 crore subordinated debt will be provided for stressed MSMEs, she said adding this would benefit 2 lakh such businesses.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman reveals 6 measures for MSMEs under Centre’s stimulus plan

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday detailed six measures for supporting the country’s MSME sector under the Centre’s massive stimulus programme.
• Accordingly, the investment limit for defining MSMEs has been revised upwards, said the FM. Besides, she highlighted that additional criteria such as turnover have been considered for defining MSMEs. The Centre has also decided not to go in for global bidding for government procurement for tenders up to Rs 200 crore, thereby, promoting the participation of MSMEs, she said.
• In addition, e-market linkage for MSMEs will also be provided and that CPSEs will pay all receivables to MSMEs within 45 days.
• TDS/TCS rates to be reduced by 25% till March 31, 2021: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
• Vivaad se Vishvas: Whole scheme extended till December 31, 2020
• The due date for all I-T returns for 2019-20 extended to Nov 30, 2020: FM Sitharaman
• All pending refunds to charitable trusts, non-corporate businesses — many of them very small — will be given immediately: FM Sitharaman
• Dates getting extended for direct taxes: FM Sitharaman
• Government to infuse Rs 50,000 crores liquidity by reducing rates of TDS, for non-salaried specified payments made to residents, and rates of Tax Collection at Source for specified receipts, by 25% of the existing rates, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• Timelines under RERA to be extended: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Measures for real estate

1. The urban development ministry to issue advisory to states and UTs so that regulators consider the Covid-19 period an ‘act of god’
2. They will be able to extend all registered projects by up to 6 months
3. Using the force majeure clause suo motu they can extend registrations and completion dates if these were falling after March 25, 2020
4. Timelines under RERA to be extended

Tax-related measures

1. From tomorrow, till March 31, 2021, TDS and TCS rates reduced by 25%
2. This will release Rs 50,000 cr in the hands of people
3. Extension of registration and completion date of real estate projects under RERA
4. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will advise all States and UTs and their Regulatory Authorities to extend the registration and completion date suo-moto by 6 months for all registered projects expiring on or after 25th March 2020 without individual applications: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
5. All central govt agencies (railways, highways, PWD, etc) to give up to six-month extension to contractors: FM

Measures for contractors

1. All central govt agencies (railways, highways, PWD, etc) to give up to six-month extension to contractors
2. Extensions to cover goods and construction contracts
3. Concessional periods to also be extended by up to 6 months
4. Govt agencies to partially release bank guarantees to the extent of the partially complete contracts

Measures for power discoms

One-time emergency liquidity injection

1. Rs 90,000 crore infusion in discoms by PFC and REC against their receivables
2. State to issue guarantees
3. Discoms to pay the gencos from the funds so generated
4. All those receiving money should pass on the benefits to consumers
5. Now, a company can be categorised as MSME if the investment is up to Rs 1 crore, turnover up to Rs 5 crore: FM
6. Statutory PF contribution by employer reduced to 10% from 12% earlier; to provide Rs 6,750 crore liquidity relief: FM Sitharaman
7. The government announces Rs 45,000-crore liquidity infusion through a Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme 2.0 for NBFCs: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
8. Government launches a Rs 30,000 crore Special Liquidity Scheme for non-banking financial companies, microfinance companies, housing finance companies: FM Sitharaman
9. To ease financial stress as businesses get back to work, the government decides to continue EPF support for business and workers for three more months by providing a liquidity relief of Rs 2,500 crore: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
10. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on details of the Rs 20-trillion package:

Measures for NBFCs, HFCs and MFIs

1. Rs 30,000-cr special liquidity scheme
2. Investments will be made in both primary and security markets
3. Govt will buy investment-grade debt papers of NBFCs, fully guaranteed by GoI

Statutory PF contribution

1. Reduced from 12% to 10% for both employees and employers for the next three months
2. No change in employer contribution for govt enterprises
3. However, employees (both govt and private) have to contribute only 10%
4. Move to cost the govt Rs X cr

Measures for Employees Provident Fund

(A liquidity relief is being given for all EPF establishments)

1. Govt support in the form of 12% employer and 12% employee contribution extended for another three months (June, July and August)
2. 650,000 establishments benefitted in the first three months
3. Rs 2,500 crore liquidity support being given
4. 7.22 million employees to benefit
5. All receivables of MSMEs from CPSEs and other govt enterprises to be cleared within the next 45 days: FM Sitharaman
6. Global tenders to be disallowed in government procurement up to Rs 200 crore: Nirmala Sitharaman
7. Unfair competition from foreign companies to become a thing of the past: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
8. Rs 50,000 crore equity infusion through MSME Fund of Funds; to provide support to growth potential MSMEs: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
9. Global tender disallowed in govt procurement for tenders up to Rs 200 crore to provide MSMEs with the opportunity to participate in tenders: FM Sitharaman
10. Now, a company can be categorised as MSME if the investment is up to Rs 1 crore, turnover up to Rs 5 crore
11. Definition of MSMEs has been revised, investment limit to be revised upwards, additional criteria of turnover also being introduced: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
12. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on details of the Rs 20-trillion package

Change in definition of MSMEs

1. Investment limit that defined an MSME revised upwards to Rs Rs 1 crore from Rs 25 lakh
2. Additional criteria based on turnover: Now a company can be MSME if the turnover is up to Rs 5 crore
3. The distinction between manufacturing and services MSMEs removed altogether
4. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on details of the Rs 20-trillion package

For viable MSMEs

1. Fund of fund to be created to infuse Rs 10,000 crore
2. For those that are viable MSMEs but need handholding at this hour
3. To help expand capacity
4. Rs 50,000 crore equity infusion for MSMEs through Fund of Funds to be operated through a Mother Fund and few Daughter Funds; this will help to expand MSME size as well as capacity: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
5. Government to provide stressed MSMEs with equity support; Government will facilitate the provision of Rs. 20,000 crore as subordinate debt: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
6. Collateral free loan to be provided to SMEs with 12-month moratorium; 45 lakh units to benefit: FM on Rs 20-trillion special economic package
7. For stressed MSMEs, Rs 20,000 crore worth of subordinate debt-based scheme and 200,000 to benefit: FM Sitharaman
8. Rs 3 lakh crore collateral-free automatic loans for MSMEs in the economic package, valid up to October 31st, 2020: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
9. Rs 3 trillion worth of collateral-free automatic loans for four years: FM Sitharaman

Steps for MSMEs and cottage industry

Rs 3 trillion worth of collateral-free automatic loans for four years

1. No principal repayment for 12 months
2. 100% credit guaranteed
3. Available till Oct 31, 2020
4. To benefit 4.5 million units
5. In a major initiative, we announce Rs 3 trillion collateral-free automatic loans for businesses, including SMEs. Borrowers with up Rs 25 crore outstanding and Rs 100 crore turnover are eligible: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
6. 15 different measures to be announced — 6 for MSMEs, 2 related to EPF and 2 related to MFIs, 1 to discoms, 1 to contractors, 1 to real estate, and 3 tax measures: FM
7. For all those who have up to Rs 5,00,000 refunds have been cleared. Rs 14,00,000 taxpayers have benefitted: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
8. We have a responsibility towards poor, needy, migrant workers, divyaang and old-age pensioners of the country: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
9. Beginning today, for the next few days, details will be given out for the PM’s self-reliant India: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
10. Self-reliant India does not mean cutting off from rest of the world, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman
11. Essentially this is to spurt growth and to build a very self-reliant India and that is why this whole initiative is called Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
12. PM Modi is known for taking bold steps, be it resurrecting Kutch after Gujarat earthquake or the PPE manufacturing during the present crisis: Anurag Thakur
13. RBI’s three-month moratorium on loan

Facts about the Rs 20 lakh Crores Package

• At 10% of GDP, Modi’s Atma-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan ranks among the biggest in the world
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge of total spending of Rs 20 lakh crore to weather the fallout of coronavirus pandemic is among the largest economic stimulus package announced by nations around the world.
• Modi’s Atma-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan or Self-reliant India Mission is about 10 per cent of India’s GDP in 2019-20 and would rank behind Japan, the US, Sweden, Australia and Germany.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recalls all the reforms initiated by the govt since 2014:
• DBT for the poor:

~ Direct benefits for the poor transferred directly to them in this difficult time

~ Microinsurance

~ Ujjwala Yojana

~ Ayushman Bharat

~ Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

• The idea is not to become self-exclusionist but to contribute to the world’s benefits: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
• Global value chain integration is a part of the vision which PM Modi has put in front of us. The vision includes a confident nation. India shall continue contributing to the globe: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
• The intention is to build local brands on a global scale: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
• Land, labour, liquidity, law, and enterprise are factors of production for ‘Self-reliant India’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
• Self-reliant India does not mean India is to be an isolationist country (Nirmala Sitharam)
• Essentially this is to spurt growth and to build a very self-reliant India and that is why this whole initiative is called Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman)
• The financial package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi essentially aims to spur growth and build a very self-reliant India says finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

COVID-19 updates for May 13, 2020

India’s novel coronavirus count today crossed 74,000-mark while over 3,000 new cases were detected in the last 24 hours. The total number of casualties jumped to 2,415 with 122 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a huge special economic package worth Rs 20 trillion which is about 10 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The aim of the package is to lift the economy of the country.

PM Modi hinted towards lockdown 4 and that the nationwide lockdown would be extended but it would be different from the previous three lockdowns.

Here are today’s important news regarding COVID-19 pandemic.

• Major states have collectively lost revenue around Rs 97,100 crore in April amid COVID-19.
• Sensex closes at 32,009
• Sensex zooms 637 points to close at 32,009 ahead of finance minister’s address; Nifty above 9,350
• Food shops get the order to destroy stale food items
• Food shops have been asked to destroy the old, stale food items and materials. The packaged foodstuff of which expiry date has crossed has also been ordered to be destroyed: Info Public Relations Dept, Punjab

Home ministry offices in Bihar to remain close till May 15

• All offices of Bihar Home Ministry at Sardar Patel Bhawan will remain closed till 15th May 2020 for sanitisation work. The work in the office to restart from 16th May 2020
• People defy social distancing in MP
• Breaking the norms of the social distancing guidelines to contain deadly coronavirus. A large number of the crowd gathered at Sagar, a town in Madhya Pradesh to welcome Jain monks.

Maruti’s March-quarter profit dips 28%

• Carmaker giant in India Maruti Suzuki’s March-quarter profit dipped 28 per cent due to nationwide COVID-19 lockdown as well as the low purchasing power of the people.

Stranded Manipuris reached home from Chennai

• 1141 stranded Manipuris reached Jiribam railway station from Chennai by a special train at around 12:20 pm today

CISF recorded 42 fresh cases

• 42 fresh positive cases have been reported to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel today. Maximum cases are recorded at its Kolkata-based GRSEL unit, a strategic warship building facility on the banks of Hooghly river.

CAPF canteen to sell only indigenous products

• The home ministry has made it clear that the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) canteens will now sell only local products from next month to boost the economy of the country in the wake of the novel coronavirus.

Possibility of bus services for train passengers in Delhi

• For those who are arriving in Delhi on special trains & are dependent on public transport, we are considering providing buses: Harendra K Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Railway.

Flight from Dubai to Mangaluru landed at the airport

• The first repatriation flight from Dubai to Mangaluru with 177 passengers touched the airport here, carrying 38 pregnant women, and 12 serious patients also travelled on this flight.

UP govt stops some allowances of employees

• A notification issued by Finance Secretary Sanjeev Mittal on Tuesday said, “A review of the allowances stopped or not existing at the Centre and permissible in the state was carried out, following the decline in state government’s revenues in view of the corona pandemic.

Air India partly seal Centaur hotel

• Air India partly seals its Centaur hotel for sanitisation as crew member tested at a temporary facility there found Covid-19 positive: Officials

#VandeBharatMission: A Student leaving for Srinagar from Dhaka

May 13, 2020

#VandeBharatMission:A Student leaving for Srinagar from Dhaka ✈️ thank the Indian High Commission and government for arranging their evacuation. pic.twitter.com/XqBizsaafm

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 13, 2020

Points from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at 8 pm about ‘Atma-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’

~ Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore.

~ He said that it is 10% of India’s GDP.

~ The PM added that it was for the MSMEs and the “honest taxpayers.” “Starting tomorrow, the finance minister will apprise you in detail about the package meant to drive towards ‘Atma-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’.

~ Also, the prime minister said that the lockdown would be extended for the fourth time. He said that the decision was taken after speaking to various chief ministers. The details of lockdown 4 will be released before May 18, the PM added.

~ The PM says that self-reliance is the only way forward, but also does not mean a self-centrist approach. “We have to be stronger. We have to save ourselves and keep moving forward at the same time,” he says, adding, “We have been hearing that 21st century will belong to India, but this is not just a dream but our responsibility too. But how to achieve it. The current world situation shows, there is only one way: self-reliant India”.

~ Buy local, the PM also added, “Be vocal about local” products.

He had a meeting with various chief ministers on Monday via video conferencing. They discussed the strategy to be adopted after the end of the lockdown 3.0 on May 17.

~ India’s cases of the novel coronavirus today crossed 70,750-mark while the number of casualties jumped to 2,293 with 87 deaths in the last 24-hour.

No gain in meeting with PM: Mamata

Raised several issues during a video conference with PM, but gained nothing out of it as always: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has made it clear that Red zones will be divided into three categories. It seems that the state government is likely to announce more relaxations.

34 new cases reported in Bihar

Over 34 more COVID-19 positive cases were reported in Bihar on Tuesday, taking the total number of positive cases in the state to 801, said Sanjay Kumar, Bihar Principal Health Secretary.

Delhi police begin telemedicine service

With the rise of COVID-19 cases in the national capital Delhi, the Delhi police have started telemedicine services for its personnel to seek medical advice for themselves and their family members on how to avoid contracting or cope with the infection, officials said on Tuesday.

ICMR claims 17,59,579 samples tested for COVID-19

The Indian Council for Medical Research on Tuesday said that so far, 17,59,579 samples have been tested for coronavirus in India.

38 migrant workers tested positive

Over 38 migrant workers, who arrived at Guntakal railway station in a special train from Thane to Kurnool, have tested positive for novel coronavirus.

2 fresh positive cases reported in CRPF

Two new positive cases have been reported in CRPF today in Delhi. With these fresh cases, the total number of infected CRPF personnel touched 247.

Delhi govt issues an order for special train passengers

If arriving passengers from special trains are found symptomatic, then standard protocol for testing and quarantine will be followed. Only asymptomatic persons coming to Delhi would be permitted to go home.

The second phase of evacuation to start from May 16

The second phase of Vande Bharat Mission will resume from May 16 to May 22. It will bring back Indian citizens from 31 countries. Over 149 flights including feeder flights will be deployed.

COVID-19 mortality rate lowest in India

In the fight against Covid-19, our mortality rate is about the lowest in the world. Today, the mortality rate is around 3.2%; in several states, it is even less than this. The global fatality rate is around 7-7.5%: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

Digvijay’s community kitchen shut

Food distribution facility for the poor from former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh’s community kitchen has been shut when a former MLA tested positive. The infected MLA’s premises were being used for cooking food.

Recovery rate touches healthy 31.7%

India’s recovery rate from coronavirus is getting better every day. Today our recovery rate is at 31.7%: Union health minister Harsh Vardhan

UP govt brings over 2 lakh migrant workers

The UP government issued a statement in which it has mentioned that till now 233 special trains have brought 2,81,408 migrant workers to Uttar Pradesh.

More discharge cases than new cases in UP

Uttar Pradesh principal health secretary Amit Mohan said that for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic started in the state, Monday saw the first instance of the number of discharged patients being higher than the number of new cases.

Two new COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh

Two more positive cases were reported from the Hamirpur district; the COVID-19 count touched 64 in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday.

Maharashtra set to free 50% prisoners

There came a blessing in disguise for the jail inmates in Maharashtra. The state government has decided to release about 50 per cent prisoners to decongest jails across the state. They will be out of jail on parole.

9 fresh COVID-19 cases detected in BSF jawans

Nine fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in the Border Security Force (BSF) in the last 24 hours. Six are from Delhi, one from Kolkata, and two from Tripura. All of them are getting treatment at hospitals. Total cases in the force have now reached 290.

PM lauds nurses service

On the occasion of International Nurse Day PM Modi, today appreciated the services of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special train for Bilaspur to leave at 4 pm

Three special trains are set to depart from Delhi on Tuesday; a total of 1,177 passengers have been booked in New Delhi-Bilaspur train, which will depart at 4 pm.

81 positive cases in Indore

After 81 more individuals tested COVID-19 positive in Indore, the total number of confirmed cases in the Madhya Pradesh district climbed to  2,016, said a health official on Tuesday. The COVID-19 deaths in the district reached 92.

Screening before departure is essential

Health screening of all the passengers will be conducted at the station. Floor marks for social distancing have also been made: Deepak Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railway.

Two ITBP jawans test positive

In the last 24 hours, two more jawans of ITBP have tested Covid-19 positive. Total of 159 positive cases, 1 recovered: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

CDC to provide $3.6 help to India

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to release $3.6 million help to the Government of India for the preparedness and prevention of deadly COVID-19 outbreak.

6,037 Indians evacuated

As many as 6,037 Indian nationals have been evacuated in 31 inbound flights operated by Air India and Air India Express under Vande Bharat Mission, said Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday.

Maldives thanks India for food supplies

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appreciated India’s move to send food supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. India’s recent supply of essential items would be helpful during this crisis.

Govt releases Rs 6,195.08 crore to 14 states

The Central government released Rs 6,195.08 crore to 14 states as the second equated monthly instalment of the Post Devolution Revenue Deficit Grant on Monday.

Related Links:

State-wise Breakup of Covid-19 Cases in India

Preventive Measures Against Covid-19