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brajeshupadhyay · 4 years

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Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: Special train carrying over 1,200 migrant workers departs Telangana for Bihar's Khagaria

11:43 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Update

COVID-19 cases in BSF increase to 67 with maximum cases registered from Delhi, Tripura

COVID-19 cases in border guarding force BSF have climbed to 67, with the maximum reported in a Delhi battalion, deployed in the Jamia area for law and order duties, and from the frontier state of Tripura, officials said on Tuesday.

Thirteen fresh COVID-positive cases have been reported from a force camp in Tripura. These include 10 personnel and three family members (wife and two children) of an infected trooper, a Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said. The number of cases from the border state of Tripura stands at 24 now, he said.

11:33 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Update

WATCH: Man showers flower petals on people standing outside liquor shops

In Delhi, a man showers flower petals on people standing in a queue outside liquor shops in Chander Nagar area of Delhi, reports ANI. The man said, "You are the economy of our country, the government does not have any money".

#WATCH Delhi: A man showers flower petals on people standing in queue outside liquor shops in Chander Nagar area of Delhi. The man says, "You are the economy of our country, government does not have any money". #CoronaLockdown pic.twitter.com/CISdu2V86V

— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020

11:30 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Bihar Latest Updates

Train with nearly 1,200 migrant workers to arrive at Bihar's Khagaria

A special train carrying about 1,200 migrant workers left for Khagaria in Bihar from Ghatkesar near Hyderabad on Tuesday.

"The Shramik Special Train left for Khagaria in Bihar on Tuesday morning. All the passengers were screened before they were allowed to board," a senior south central railway official said.

This is the second train arranged for the workers in Telangana. Similarly, another train from Rayannapadu near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh left for Chandrapur in Maharashtra, the SCR official added.

11:27 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Andhra Pradesh Latest Update

AP govt hikes liquor prices by another 50%

The Andhra Pradesh government has enhanced prices of liquor by another 50 per cent on Tuesday, only a day after imposing a 25 per cent hike as shops were reopened in relaxation of the ongoing lockdown, reports PTI.

Special Chief Secretary (Revenue) Rajat Bhargava said the abnormal increase in liquor rates was to 'discourage' people from consumption and safeguard health.

The enhanced rates would come into force with immediate effect, he said. The state government also decided to open liquor outlets from 12 noon, instead of 11 am, till 7 pm.

Sources said the fresh hike (50 percent) in rates could fetch an additional revenue of Rs 9,000 crore per annum to the cash-starved state government.

11:23 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates

Over 6.5 lakh migrant workers brought back to UP during first lockdown: Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that more than 6.5 lakhs migrant workers were brought back to the state during the first phase of lockdown between 27 and 29 March.

"In the second phase, in the last 3 days, more than 50,000 migrant workers have been brought back," said Adityanath.

11:07 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Confirmed cases in Maharashtra rises to 14,541, toll at 583

Maharashtra, and especially the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), is the worst-affected by the novel coronavirus disease. The state has so far reported 14,541 confirmed cases of COVID-19 which includes a toll of over 583.

Of the total, over 9,700 cases have been reported in MMR alone.

10:59 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

COVID-19 recovery rate at 27.4%

The number of fatalities stood at 1,568 after 195 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. At the same time, 1,020 people also recovered from the deadly respiratory disease, the Union ministry’s Covid-19 dashboard showed at 8am.

There are 12,726 people who have been cured or discharged from hospitals so far.

10:51 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Israel Latest Updates

Israeli claims to arrive at coronavirus antibody breakthrough

The Israel Institute for Biological Research announced on Monday that they had completed the development phase of an antibody to battle the coronavirus, and it will head to mass production.

Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett visited the lab on Monday and made a joint announcement about the advancement.

"A significant breakthrough has been achieved in finding an antidote to the Corona virus that attacks the virus and can neutralize it in the sick body," read the statement from the IIBR and Bennett.

#BREAKING: Joint statement by the Israeli Ministery of Defense and the Israel Institute for Biological Research: A significant breakthrough has been achieved in finding an antidote to the Corona virus that attacks the virus and can neutralize it in the sick body

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) May 4, 2020

10:41 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Gujarat Latest Updates

Nine trains to evacuate migrant workers stranded in Surat

Nine trains carrying migrant labourers stranded in Surat will reach Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, News18 reported on Tuesday.

#BREAKING – Evacuation of migrants from Surat picks pace. 9 trains to evacuate migrant workers from Surat today.#IndiaFightsCOVID19 #TotalLockdown #StayHome pic.twitter.com/7qfoJOlH3f

— CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) May 5, 2020

10:18 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Delhi sees fuel price hike

After the Delhi government raised the VAT on auto fuel, the petrol price per litre is hiked by Rs 1.67 to Rs 71.26 while, the price of diesel increased by Rs 7.10 to Rs 69.39 in the National Capital on Tuesday.

Petrol price hiked by Rs 1.67 per litre, diesel by Rs 7.10 a litre in Delhi after state govt raises VAT on auto fuel

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 5, 2020

10:11 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in France Latest Updates

French hospital, retesting old samples from pneumonia patients, finds COVID-19 case from 27 Dec

A French hospital which has retested old samples from pneumonia patients discovered that it treated a man who had COVID-19 as early as 27 December, nearly a month before the French government confirmed its first cases.

Yves Cohen, head of the resuscitation at the Avicenne and Jean Verdier hospitals in the northern suburbs of Paris, told BFM TV that scientists had retested samples from 24 patients treated in December and January who tested negative for the flu.

"Of the 24, we had one who was positive for COVID-19 on 27 December," he told the news channel on Sunday.

Read full article...

10:05 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Rajasthan Latest Updates

Rajasthan registers 3,099 COVID-19 cases after 38 more test positive

After 38 more people test positive for the novel coronavirus in Rajasthan on Tuesday, the total number of confirmed cases in the state climbed to 3,099, said health ministry.

So far, lives of 82 COVID-19 patients were claimed by the infectious disease. There are 1,577 active coronavirus cases in the state.

09:50 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Aadhaar-based claims for PDS would cater to plight of poor: Abhijit Banerjee to Rahul Gandhi

Aadhaar-based claims for public distribution system (PDS) would have saved a lot of misery for the poor, said Abhijit Banerjee during discussion on economic impact with Congress' Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday.

He further claimed that many names still missing in the system.

"We should try to be optimistic about overall economic revival in India post-lockdown," said Banerjee.

09:43 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

'Direct cash transfer to poor is crucial at moment': Abhijit Banerjee

Abhijit Banerjee said it is pivotal to ensure direct cash transfer to the poorest in the Indian economy during the COVID-19 crisis. He also suggested that reliable NGOs can be roped in for this purpose.

"Migrant problem in a city like Mumbai has to be tackled by the state government, not the Centre," said the nobel laureate.

09:36 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Govt must provide money into people like US administration: Abhijit Banerjee tells Rahul Gandhi

Abhijit Banerjee advised that India should take a cue from the United States and insisted on putting money into people's hands, "as the current US administration is doing".

"We have to take a chance on widening the reach of PDS," Banerjee told Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday while discussing the state of Indian economy.

09:29 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Faster lockdown exit need of hour: Abhijt Banerjee to Rahul Gandhi

During his conversation with Rahul Gandhi regarding economic impact of COVID-19 in India, Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee called for a faster lockdown exit even though the fast spreading novel coronavirus needed to be taken into consideration.

09:25 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Abihijit Banerjee calls for temporary ration cards for those in need to tackle food crisis

Handing out temporary ration card to anybody who requires one at the current moment would be a good idea to tackle the food crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee to Rahul Gandhi.

09:15 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Abhijit Banerjee calls for large stimulus package to tackle COVID-19

Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee during the conversation with Congress leader Rahul insisted on a "large enough stimulus package," cited example of US setting aside 10 percent of GDP to tackle COVID-19 crisis.

09:12 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

India confirms 46,433 COVID-19 cases with 1,568 deaths

India registered 46,433 COVID-19 positive cases on Tuesday with 1,568 fatalities due to the viral disease, according to the latest data released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The figure includes 32,134 active cases.

09:04 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Rahul Gandhi's conversation with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee on the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis begins

A conversation with Nobel Laureate, Abhijit Banerjee on the economic impact of the COVID19 crisis. https://t.co/dUrok8Wm3Q

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 5, 2020

08:57 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Indian Navy readies 14 ships to evacuate stranded citizens from Gulf

A total of 14 warships have been readied for evacuating Indian citizens from Gulf and other countries, said Indian Navy officials on Tuesday. INS Jalashwa sailed from Visakhapatnam a few days ago from the east coast to the west coast.

08:53 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates

Three ships sent to evacuate Indians from Maldives and UAE

India has sent three naval ships to evacuate its citizens stranded in the Maldives and UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a defence spokesperson said in the early hours on Tuesday.

INS Jalashwa deployed off Mumbai coast, along with INS Magar, were diverted for Maldives on Monday night, he said.

Three Navy warships have sailed out to bring back Indian citizens from Maldives and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The warships include INS Jallashwa, INS Magar and INS Shardul: Indian Navy officials (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VNE1dAdf9g

— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020

08:41 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in United States Latest Updates

COVID-19 toll in US rise by 1,015 in past 24 hrs, lowest in a month

The toll due to coronavirus in the United States rose by 1,015 in the past 24 hours, a tally by Johns Hopkins University showed Monday - the lowest one-day figure in a month.

The Baltimore-based university had recorded more than 1.17 million cases in the country as of 8.30 pm Monday (12.am Tuesday), with 68,689 deaths.

08:24 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Nepal Latest Updates

Nepal confirms 82 COVID-19 cases

Seven more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Nepal, taking total confirmed cases to 82, said the country's health ministry on Tuesday.

7 more #COVID19 cases reported in Nepal, taking the total number of positive cases in the country to 82: Nepal Health Ministry pic.twitter.com/qWEO3oWGgp

— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020

07:56 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Bihar Latest Updates

In Photos: Train carrying over 1,200 migrant workers arrives at Muzaffarpur from Gujarat today

Bihar: A train carrying 1208 migrant workers arrived at Muzaffarpur railway station this morning from Ahmedabad, Gujarat amid #CoronaLockdown. pic.twitter.com/Zf835ppZUL

— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020

07:50 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates

Sec 144 in Mumbai till 17 May between 8 pm till 7 am

In an order released on Monday, the Mumbai Police stated that Section 144 has been imposed in the city till 17 May between 8 pm and 7 am. The order clarified that during those hours, only vehicles addressing medical services and the ones used for essential services will be allowed to ply.

From Tuesday, stand-alone shops will issue tokens for customers to avoid crowding at shop counters.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) imposed in Mumbai till 17th May 2020. Movement of one or more persons for all non-essential services, except for medical reasons, will be prohibited between 8 pm & 7 am: Mumbai Police #Maharashtra #CoronaLockdown pic.twitter.com/Q50KnPReVU

— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020

07:37 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Rahul Gandhi to discuss economic state during pandemic with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's dialogue with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee on dealing with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis will be aired on Tuesday as part of his series of deliberations with experts on economy and health.

The Congress party has tweeted a 1.44-minute clip from the conversation which will be aired in full at 9 am Tuesday.

Tomorrow at 9 AM, tune in to watch my conversation with Nobel Laureate, Abhijit Banerjee on dealing with the economic fall out of the #COVID19 crisis. To join the conversation & for regular video updates, subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://t.co/4WBysSnKTg

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 4, 2020

07:31 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates

Active containment zones in Delhi stands at 90 after three areas de-contained

With three more zones de-contained on Monday, the total number of containment zones in the city stood at 90.

According to the Delhi government, the areas de-contained on Monday were in the West district - in and around area of - 11/3, 2nd Floor Ashok Nagar (sealed on April 8); A 36/4, East Patel Nagar (sealed on 13 April); G-174, Capital Greens, DLF, Motinagar (sealed on 8 April).

"So far, 10 areas have been de-contained and now the active containment zones in the city are 90," an official statement said.

07:24 (IST)

Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Updates

Odisha confirms 170 COVID-19 cases with one death

With one individual testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Odisha, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state climbed to 170 on Tuesday. Of the total, there are 109 active cases.

One COVID-19 patient succumbed to the viral infection so far, while the recovery rate stood at 35.3 percent with 60 patients being discharged.

Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: A special train carrying about 1,200 migrant workers left for Khagaria in Bihar from Ghatkesar near Hyderabad on Tuesday.

"The Shramik Special Train left for Khagaria in Bihar on Tuesday morning. All the passengers were screened before they were allowed to board," a senior south central railway official said.

This is the second train arranged for the workers in Telangana. Similarly, another train from Rayannapadu near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh left for Chandrapur in Maharashtra, the SCR official added.

India registered 46,433 COVID-19 positive cases on Tuesday with 1,568 fatalities due to the viral disease, according to the latest data released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The figure includes 32,134 active cases.

He further claimed that many names still missing in the system.

"We should try to be optimistic about overall economic revival in India post-lockdown," said Banerjee.

Abhijit Banerjee advised that India should take a cue from the United States and insisted on putting money into people's hands, "as the current US administration is doing".

"We have to take a chance on widening the reach of PDS," Banerjee told Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday while discussing the state of Indian economy.

The Congress party has tweeted a 1.44-minute clip from the conversation which will be aired in full at 9 am Tuesday.

From Tuesday, stand-alone shops will issue tokens for customers to avoid crowding at shop counters.

Even as India's COVID-19 fight entered its third phase on Monday with considerable relaxations to the lockdown curbs, confirmed cases surged to 42,836 with 2,573 fresh cases. The death toll rose to 1,389 with 83 fatalities reported in 24 hours.

The government said a record high number of 1,074 patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours but cautioned that the restrictions can be reimposed if there is any complacency in following the containment and social distancing norms.

The Centre also announced that it will facilitate the return of Indians stranded in other countries in a phased manner from 7 May.

Country records highest number of recoveries in 24 hours, says health ministry

According to the 5 pm update issued by the Union health ministry, India now has 42, 836 confirmed cases of coronavirus while 1,380 persons have died due to the disease. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases (12,974), followed by Gujarat (5, 428 cases), Delhi (4,549) cases, Tamil Nadu (3,023 cases) and Madhya Pradesh (2942).

Maharashtra also recorded the highest number of fatalities with 548 deaths followed by 290 in Gujarat and 165 in Madhya Pradesh.

According to the health ministry, the number of active cases stood at 29,685 as 11,761 persons were cured/discharged while one has migrated.

Earlier, while addressing a press briefing, Joint Secretary at the health ministry Lav Agarwal said that as many as 1,074 COVID-19 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, the highest number of recoveries recorded in one day.

The rate of recovery stands at 27.52 percent , he said, but stressed that there is a need for rigorous implementation of the containment strategy while people also need to strictly adhere to hygiene as well as social distancing habits.

Agarwal cautioned that if the virus spread is detected in areas that do not have any active cases for now, restrictions can be reimposed there.

Kerala did not report a single new case for the second consecutive day, but neighbouring Tamil Nadu saw its tally rising by a record number of 527 new cases. Gujarat and Maharashtra also reported significant rise in their numbers. Several other states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha also reported a rising number of cases.

Gujarat reported 376 new cases and 29 more deaths — the highest for a day — to take its total tally of confirmed cases to more than 5,800 and fatalities to 319. Ahmedabad alone reported 259 new cases and a record number of 26 deaths on Monday, taking its tally of confirmed cases to above 4,000 and the death toll to 234.

In Maharashtra’s Mumbai, the case count crossed the 9,000-mark and jumped to 9,123 with the addition of 510 new patients, while 18 more died due to the viral infection.

While several big urban centres across the country continued to report rise in the number of cases, several smaller states and Union Territories — including Goa, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Meghalaya, Assam, Aruranchal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Manipur, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Tripura — have witnessed nil or very few cases getting detected in the last few days.

Confusion prevails as restrictions are eased in green, orange zones

In the third phase of the lockdown, more categories of stores including of apparel and electrical goods, as also various kinds of repair centres, and even barber shops in some places, reopened in several parts of the country. Liquor shops saw the biggest of the crowds and had to be closed at many places, including in the National Capital, after social distancing norms appeared totally missing.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said whatever happened on Monday was not right and all have to follow the social distancing norms . "It is sad that people were not following social distancing norms at some shops today. I request everyone to not take any risk," he said.

#WATCH It was unfortunate that chaos was seen at some shops today in Delhi...If we come to know about violations of social distancing and other norms from any area, then we will have to seal the area and revoke the relaxations there: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/0eFgaqrKsB

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2020

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On the other hand, confusion prevailed in large industrial and business clusters across the country, including in Noida and Gurgaon on the outskirts of Delhi, on reopening of offices and industrial establishments due to lack of clarity on daily commute of their staff given continuing restrictions on major modes of the public transport.

Row over rail fares of migrant workers

The transport of migrant workers back to their home states continued for the third consecutive day on Monday. Kerala opened its borders at six places for Keralites stranded in other states due to the COVID-19 lockdown to return to their native places.

A total of 21,500 migrant workers and their family members stranded in Gujarat for over 40 days were sent back to their native states, including UP and Bihar, through 18 trains in the last three days, a senior official told PTI.

Union health ministry officials also said the process of transporting stranded migrant labourers was being coordinated by states, though the central government guidelines have clearly stated that the infectious disease management requires everyone to stay where he or she is.

“Based on the request given from states for particular cases, permission was given to run special trains. Be it the government of India or the Railways, we have not talked about charging from workers. Eighty-five per cent of the transportation cost is borne by the Railways, while states have to bear 15 percent of the cost,” Agarwal told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi lashed out at the Centre and said the party's state units will bear the cost of rail travel of needy migrant workers and labourers stranded at their workplaces due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

"What is particularly disturbing is that the central government and the Rail Ministry are charging them (migrant workers) for train tickets in this hour of crisis," she said. "When the government can spend nearly Rs 100 crores on transport and food for just one public programme in Gujarat, when the Rail Ministry has the largesse to donate Rs 151 Crores to the PM's Corona fund, then why can't these essential members of our nation's fabric be given a fraction of the same courtesy, especially free rail travel, at this hour of acute distress?," the Congress president asked.

Centre to facilitate return of Indians stranded abroad

Separately, the Union Home Ministry said the government will facilitate the return of Indians stranded abroad and the process will begin from 7 May in a phased manner. Only asymptomatic people would be allowed to travel and it would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships, and the facility will be available on a payment basis.

After their arrival in India, medical examinations will be conducted on everyone and they will be subsequently put under quarantine for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional facility, the ministry said.

Modi calls for new template of globalisation at NAM virtual conference

At a video-conference of leaders of the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM), Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi called for a new template of globalisation post COVID-19, saying humanity is facing a major crisis.

"COVID-19 has shown us the limitations of the existing international system. In the post-COVID world, we need a new template of globalization, based on fairness, equality, and humanity," the prime minister said. "We need international institutions that are more representative of today's world. We need to promote human welfare, and not focus on economic growth alone. India has long championed such initiatives," he said.

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends 'Non-Aligned Movement' Summit via video conferencing#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/fe7NA9E7ky

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2020

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With inputs from agencies

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thewrosper · 4 years

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Coronavirus has brought India’s almighty Centre back, and Modi’s unlikely to give up control

When so much hypocrisy gets on your nerves, you turn to a true Punjabi to cut through the clutter and tell it like it is. As Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh did earlier this week. In that remarkably brave protest, he also underlined the biggest coronavirus-induced change in our larger national politics, the return of an almighty, domineering Big Centre after 35 years of shrinking. Speaking to a Punjabi news channel, he questioned the Centre on its sweeping, nation-wide ban on liquor sale. What has liquor got to do with this coronavirus, he asked. Coronavirus spreads, he said, from an infected person’s phlegm or saliva. Now, you freely allow the sale of vegetables and fruits where these may have fallen, and which may be carrying the virus widely. But why ban a sealed bottle where none of these can get in? Now, spare us the jokes about the old Punjabi veteran calling a Patiala peg, what else, but a Patiala peg. The former maharaja is by no means a teetotaller. But nor is he complaining because his bar or cellar is running dry. He’s exercised for a pretty good reason: His exchequer is running dry. Alcohol and petroleum fuels are two things that a state can tax directly; the latter in addition to already sizeable central excise. This is particularly so after GST. Alcohol is fully within the state’s domain. That is why it’s been the main revenue source of our mostly bankrupted state government finances. The Covid pandemic called for extraordinary measures. And a nationwide response. The Modi government, therefore, invoked the 1897 Epidemic Diseases Act, and the fairly new, post-tsunami Disaster Management Act (DMA) of 2005 to give itself extraordinary powers to impose the lockdown. Among the activities it prohibited specifically was liquor sale. It has driven our already bankrupted states deeper into a crisis. Further, it has made them beg even more desperately before the Centre for money — oxygen to their states’ survival. You know what Amarinder is complaining about. Most other chief ministers have the same grievance. It’s just that, because it is liquor, nobody wants to talk about it. Amarinder isn’t weighed down by any such hypocrisies. The important thing is, today, he has had to plead with the Centre for at least a little leeway with a power that was always our states’ own. That’s why we say coronavirus has brought back the all-powerful Centre we had seen shrinking about 1989 onwards. Alcohol is just a symbol, if a particularly interesting one, of this big shift back in time. We now have the prime minister conversing directly with sarpanches, never mind the chief ministers. The Centre’s empowered teams are going to different states, not to survey damage caused by a flood, cyclone or drought to determine the size of central relief. They are going to monitor and audit how the state governments are managing the Covid crisis, and whether or not they are following the Centre’s orders fully. They are asking questions, demanding information by lawful right, and admonishing state governments. And state governments are complying. Maharashtra, to begin with. It’s been probably the friendliest of all. Rajasthan has been smooth too. The only one that had been defiant, Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal, is also falling in line. The central team is requisitioning its medical records, auditing all fatalities, to check if the state is fudging figures. Even if kicking and screaming, the state government has been dragged to not only answer some of these questions, but also carry out a somewhat drastic revision of its fatality numbers. Between Thursday and Friday, for example, the state raised its figure of Covid-related deaths to 57 from 15. It is not as if a lot of people had just dropped dead overnight. These were the deaths of patients who were Covid-positive but were ascribed to co-morbidities. It’s been decades since the state of West Bengal, which has pretty much functioned as a republic in its own right for 34 years under the Left and now for a decade led by Mamata, has been treated like this. If you don’t think the change is significant, remember the same chief minister has been refusing to attend the prime minister’s meetings and conversations with chief ministers, declining to welcome him at the airport, and even defying him to drive from the airport to the city. It also fought with the CBI to protect its favourite IPS officer from arrest, and won. This change has been brought in entirely by the pandemic, and the special powers the Centre has endowed itself with. But the main reason the powers are being deferred to, is financial. With all local businesses shut, property transactions over, petrol/diesel sales down to almost zero because of the lockdown, and the liquor ban, states have no revenues. Now many will soon struggle to pay staff salaries. Even then, relief for the poor now comes directly from the Centre. For three decades after 1947, as the Congress party, especially under Indira Gandhi, held sway, we were federal only naam ke vaaste. Most states were under the Congress and no chief minister dared to even move a DM or an SP without the Centre’s nod. Congress chief ministers could be dismissed with the wagging of a contemptuous party chief’s finger at an airport, (Karnataka’s Veerendra Patil in 1990 by Rajiv Gandhi). If it was an opposition government, it would be dismissed using Article 356. After the Emergency, it changed a bit. Although Mrs Gandhi returned in 1980, the impulse for autonomy in Punjab, Tamil Nadu and some other states forced her to concede some ground, at least for argument’s sake. In 1983, she set up the Justice Sarkaria Commission to review Centre-state relations. A voluminous report was produced, which I reported on, along with an interview with Sarkaria for India Today. Indira, and then Rajiv, had the power, however, to toss it. India’s politics changed with the Congress party’s loss of national domination in 1989. Over these decades, India has moved towards real federalism as ordained in the Constitution. And there is evidence to show it has worked. India is now more prosperous — or OK, less poor per capita if that’s what some of you would prefer — than before. Economic growth rates have improved consistently. Most importantly, the one fear the Congress always held out, that the rise of regionalism will break up the country, has been totally belied. In India, federalism and a sense of national security and integration have grown together. If India is now more secure than ever in its history, internally and externally, then four decades of federal evolution have something to do with it too. This is what is reversing now. Helped along, of course, by Modi’s method and popularity. The pandemic has brought the moral justification. We can see a mirror image even in the US now as Republican and Democratic states jostle for federal funding, and Donald Trump thinks he can order states when to open up and how much — and even overrule the decisions of a Republican Governor (Georgia) to reopen on 1 May. These unusual times shall pass. But will all these changes be reversed? In America, the institutional structures are more robust. Here, will the Centre under Modi go back and shrink again? The history of our politics does not hold out much comfort. Support The Wrosper to get the latest updates! Stay tuned Read the full article

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iasshikshalove · 4 years

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Current Affairs Dated On 29-07-2019

C.A Dated On 29-07-2019 GS-1 Iconic tourists site Why in news? During her Budget speech earlier this month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that 17 “Iconic Tourist Sites” in the country would be developed by the government “into world class tourist destinations, to serve as a model for other tourism sites”. The initiative was aimed at enhancing India’s soft power. The Sites Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh), Ajanta & Ellora (Maharashtra), Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar (Delhi), Colva (Goa), Amer Fort (Rajasthan), Somnath and Dholavira (Gujarat), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Kaziranga (Assam), Kumarakom (Kerala) and the Mahabodhi Temple (Bihar). The Vision  “The government is looking at overall development from the tourism point of view in and around these sites — which includes roads and infrastructure, hotels and lodges, connectivity and access”.  As such, several ministries, from Railways to Civil Aviation, will be involved, while the Tourism Ministry will be the nodal agency. In keeping with international standards, interventions in and around the monuments will have elements of universal accessibility, green technology, and enhanced security for tourists. The Funding  The Tourism Ministry has been allocated Rs 1,378 crore for the development of tourism infrastructure. C.A Dated On 29-07-2019  This is only marginally more than the allocations in 2017-18 (Rs 1,151 crore) and 2018-19 (Rs 1,330 crore). Status of ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme  Many of these monuments were opened up for adoption in late 2017 under the Ministry of Tourism’s Adopt a Heritage scheme.  The Red Fort was adopted by the Dalmia Group, while the Qutub Minar and the Ajanta Caves were adopted by Yatra Online.  But the momentum of the scheme has slowed down since, and only 11 MoUs have been signed so far. Punjab agriculture crisis Context Huge swathes of agricultural land have been damaged by the severe waterlogging in five districts of Punjab, mainly in Bathinda, after unprecedented single day rain. Waterlogging happens due to several factors like the geography of the land, excessive flow of water into a place without proper drainage systems and certain soil conditions. In Punjab, a potent mix of incessant rain coupled with a lack of clean and capable drainage system and water storage pits has led to the present situation. How can wells prevent waterlogging?  With proper drainage system in the fields, experts say, the excessive water in the fields can be directed into these wells which have a good capacity of holding water. C.A Dated On 29-07-2019  The Soil and Conservation Department of the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) in Ludhiana has been reviving these abandoned wells under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP).  Before sending water into the well, a small pit is dug in the field close to the well where the water is first held. The water from here overflows into the well.  The bottom of the well is covered with brick blast (small pieces of bricks) up to 10 to 12 inch so as to protect against soil erosion at the bottom due to water falling directly from a height.  This was one of the safest ways of water recharging and preventing water logging to a large extent. How does the pit help clean the water?  Since Punjab is a heavy user of pesticides, the impurities in the field water will get diluted in the pit after which the brick blast at the bottom of well will absorb these impurities as well as the silt,  “The safe water goes into the earth from the first layer of soil to the other layers slowly,” he added.  The brick blast will need to be cleaned after every five years and protected by removable slabs.  The biggest benefit is that if the farmer needs water for irrigation he can use the well instead of extracting water from the ground using a tube well.  With about 84 per cent of Punjab’s land under cultivation, this method has huge potential to recharge the entire state’s water table which has been depleting over the years because of extensive use of tubewell for faring. Is it safe to send excessive water into the fields through bore wells?  Experts warn against this method as it “will contaminate the safe groundwater” as the chemicals from crop sprays will directly enter the deep layer of soil. What are other benefits of old abandoned wells? C.A Dated On 29-07-2019  In canal fed areas, the excess water can be stored in these wells to recharge the earth. This is can also reduce the expenditure on tube wells which now need to be deepened every other year. GS-3 Crypto currency An inter-ministerial committee (IMC) that was set up to assess the viability of virtual currencies has recommended that India should ban private cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. An inter-ministerial committee (IMC) that was set up to assess the viability of virtual currencies has recommended that India should ban private cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The detailed report of the IMC was submitted on February 28 but it was made public only on July 23. It is available on the Department of Economic Affairs’ website. What are virtual currencies?  A virtual currency is a digital representation of value that can be digitally traded and functions as (a) a medium of exchange, and/ or (b) a unit of account, and/or (c) a store of value, but, unlike fiat currency like the rupee, it is not legal tender and does not have the backing of a government.  A cryptocurrency is a subset of virtual currencies, and is decentralised, and protected by cryptography. What are Distributed Ledger Technologies and Blockchain?  Broadly speaking, this is how Distributed Ledger Technologies, and Blockchain, in particular, function.  DLT refers to technologies that involve the use of independent computers (also referred to as nodes) to record, share, and synchronise transactions in their respective electronic ledgers. C.A Dated On 29-07-2019  Keeping such distributed ledgers obviates the need for keeping the data centralised, as is done in a traditional ledger. All virtual currencies use DLT.  A transaction under DLT essentially refers to the transfer of “value” from one to another.  This “value” could be any record of ownership of assets — money, security, land titles — or the record of specific information such as information about one’s identity or health information, etc.  That is why DLT has applications in several fields. About block chain  Blockchain is a specific kind of DLT that came to prominence after Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency that used it, became popular.  Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin use codes to encrypt transactions and stack them up in blocks, creating Blockchains.  It is the use of codes that differentiates cryptocurrencies from other virtual currencies. What is the IMC’s view on DLT and cryptocurrencies?  The first thing to understand is that the IMC recognises the potential of DLT and Blockchain.  The IMC accepts that internationally, the application of DLT is being explored in the areas of trade finance, mortgage loan applications, digital identity management or KYC requirements, cross-border fund transfers and clearing and settlement systems.  To that extent, it recommends the Department of Economic Affairs (within the Finance Ministry) to take necessary measures to facilitate the use of DLT in the entire financial field after identifying its uses.  The IMC also recommends that regulators — RBI, SEBI, IRDA, PFRDA, and IBBI — explore evolving appropriate regulations for development of DLT in their respective areas.  However, the IMC has recommended a ban on “private” cryptocurrencies Why have private cryptocurrencies attracted a ban? While it is true that the technology used in virtual currencies has immense potential, without a central regulating authority, they can have numerous downsides. C.A Dated On 29-07-2019  The IMC’s first concern is that non-official virtual currencies can be used to defraud consumers, particularly unsophisticated consumers or investors.  Second, scaling up such a currency system over a large population would require crippling levels of energy resources.  Currencies such as Bitcoin require humongous processing power. According to a report by the Bank of International Settlement, Bitcoin processing already uses as much energy as is used by Switzerland; it called this an environmental disaster.  Third, the IMC is worried that if private cryptocurrencies are allowed to function as legal tender, the RBI would lose control over the monetary policy and financial stability, as it would not be able to keep a tab on the money supply in the economy.  Fourth, the anonymity of private digital currencies make them vulnerable to money laundering and use in terrorist financing activities while making law enforcement difficult.  Fifth, there is no grievance redressal mechanism in such a system, as all transactions are irreversible. It is for these broad reasons that the IMC singled out private cryptocurrencies for a ban. BS-VI emission norms The story so far: The Union Government, through an order dated September 16, 2016, mandated Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) mass emission standards for various classes of motor vehicles throughout the country from April 1, 2020, leapfrogging BS-V. While this will lead to better air quality in the short term, it also means higher vehicle prices and costs. For the automobile industry, this has meant accelerated development of all related technologies and components and big investments. C.A Dated On 29-07-2019 What makes BS-VI fuels cleaner?  As per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms for upgraded fuels, (IS: 2796 – petrol and IS: 1460 – diesel), sulphur content is reduced to 10 mg/kg max in BS-VI from 50 mg/kg under BS-IV.  This key reduction in sulphur makes it possible to equip vehicles with better catalytic converters that capture pollutants.  BS-VI confers several benefits, the most important of which is limits set on Particle Number (PN) for engines, a reference to direct injection engines that emit more particulates but are more efficient and release less carbon dioxide.  Also, there are lower limits for hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in diesel engines and lower Particulate Matter limits for both petrol and diesel engines. What impact will it have on consumers?  Prices are the biggest impact factor both for commercial and passenger vehicles under the BS-VI regime, with one industry research estimate putting the increase at up to ₹20,000 for petrol cars, ₹65,000 to ₹90,000 for diesel cars, going up to ₹2.25 lakh for heavy commercial vehicles.  Even two wheelers, requiring fuel injection technology, will witness a price spike of ₹3,000 to ₹6,000.  The giant scale of the shift needed to BS-VI can be gauged from the production base: the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) says the industry produced 30,915,420 vehicles ranging from two-wheelers to commercial vehicles in the year ended April 2019, with an annual growth of 6.26%. What about the BS-IV vehicles already manufactured?  Since there is no bar on the operation of existing vehicles beyond the cut-off date for BS-VI, that is, April 1, 2020, the inventory of personal and commercial vehicles will continue to be sold.  This is significant for the commercial sector, which involves higher investments. After the deadline, however, all new vehicles sold must comply with BS-VI. C.A Dated On 29-07-2019  A spike in sales of BS-IV vehicles is expected closer to the festival season, when buyer sentiment turns positive, and the industry prepares to liquidate its stock of soon-to-be obsolete vehicles.  The outlook is unclear for heavy commercial vehicles due to recent changes that enable higher freight loading, and depressed demand for expansion.  The availability of higher financing through banks after the move to recapitalise them, and higher liquidity in non-banking financial companies could also influence sales. What will the shift mean?  As of January 1 this year, there were 57,468 retail fuel outlets of the oil marketing companies across the country.  Although BS-VI fuel was introduced in the national capital last year, and extended to some contiguous districts in neighbouring States, the release of the higher grade fuel in all the pumps in the country has to be simultaneous.  The auto industry wants it done by February.  The cost of upgrading refineries to produce the higher-quality fuel is estimated at between ₹25,000 crore and ₹30,000 crore. State butterfly in Tamil Nadu Why in news? Tamil Nadu became the fifth State to declare a State butterfly and Tamil Yeoman bagged the distinction. About the butterfly  The medium-sized butterfly may not be considered very beautiful, but has many special attributes because of which it was chosen.  One reason is the name.  There are about five butterflies endemic to the Western Ghat that bear the prefix ‘Tamil’ in their names.  But this particular species scored high as it is found in abundance across most parts of the State.  Secondly, the word ‘yeoman’ is translated in Tamil as ‘maravan’, meaning warrior, which again gave the species an edge over the others. C.A Dated On 29-07-2019  Another speciality of Tamil Yeoman is that the species, although endemic to the Western Ghats, can also be sighted in small numbers in the Eastern Ghats and in open country. Except for coastal areas, there are chances of sighting it in all other landscape. Other states butterflies  Tamil Nadu is the only State to choose a member of the Nymphalidae family, members of which are not considered attractive and colourful. Maharashtra (Blue Mormon), Kerala (Malabar Banded Peacock), Uttarakhand (Common Peacock) and Karnataka (Southern Birdwing), have chosen from Swallow Tails, which are usually big and beautiful with bold patterns.  “Maharashtra’s State butterfly Blue Mormon is also considered a pest for some food plants.  Tamil Yeoman however, feeds only on wild plants found in the Western Ghats

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wionews · 6 years

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Opinion: Taxing the super rich is how we can revive Indian economy

The Union budget to be presented by the Finance Minister on 1st February is crucial for at least three reasons. Firstly, the budget comes at a time when the growth rate of the economy is projected to be at 6.5% for the current financial year, the lowest since the Modi government assumed office. Secondly, the budget comes in the backdrop of a major economic policy change of introducing Goods and Services Tax (GST) that the government initiated last year. Thirdly, this is perhaps the last full budget that the government will be placing before the Lok Sabha elections, due in 2019. Let us look at these issues seriatim.

The growth rate of Gross Value Added (GVA) is projected to be 6.1% in 2017-18, as against 6.6% in 2016-17 and 7.9% in 2015-16. This growth slowdown is a manifestation of the fact that investment is simply not picking up in the economy. As a share of GDP, the investment declined from 31.3% in 2013-14 to 29% in 2017-18 (projected). The Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE) has reported that new project announcements by the Indian corporate sector reached a 13 year low in December 2017.

The investment and growth slowdown in the country is a result of a complex set of factors. Firstly, it is now clear, even to die-hard supporters of the government, that the policy of demonetisation had a very serious adverse impact on the economy, particularly the informal sector, while unearthing precious little worth of black money. The uncertainty created because of this hard-headed measure and the concomitant contraction of economic activity has resulted in an economic slowdown in the country.

Secondly, the problem of corporate debt overhang in the economy and the resulting bad loans in the banking sector are primarily responsible for the investment slowdown. The Reserve Bank of India reports that gross non-performing advances ratio increased from 9.6% to 10.2% between March and September 2017. Burdened with these NPAs, the credit growth rate of the banks is much below what it was a few years back. The government has not been able to solve the problem of NPAs in the Indian banking sector.

In fact, when Mr. Jaitley became the Finance Minister, the gross non-performing assets of the scheduled commercial banks was around Rs. 2.6 trillion. This had reached around Rs. 8 trillion by March 2017, even after the government writing off a significant amount of the NPAs. Rather than take stringent action against the defaulters and recover the money, the government has brought a new Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) bill, with the clause of bail-in which can jeopardise the stability of the public banking sector in India. This twin problem of NPAs and investment slowdown has to be tackled by the government.

One of the ways in which the government can deal with the problem of the investment slowdown is to step up public investment. However, as a result of its adherence to the FRBM Act, the government is committed to maintaining a fiscal deficit which is 3.2% of GDP for the current fiscal. But as per the Controller General of Accounts data, the fiscal deficit has overshot the target (112% of the target set last year) by the end of November 2017. During the same period, last year, the fiscal deficit was 85% of the target in November 2016. Additionally, if the GDP projection does not meet target (which is possible given a downward revision of GDP growth projection), then clearly the fiscal deficit ratio is going to increase. The government, therefore, will have to cut back on expenditures in the remaining months of the fiscal to try and remain within the fiscal deficit target.

This problem is basically a result of the inability of the government to meet revenue targets. It has been reported that tax collections under GST have been declining since its inception. In July, Rs 92283 crore was collected which declined to Rs 80808 crore in November 2017. Moreover, data shows that non-tax revenue has suffered a hit this fiscal. This is because the dividend from RBI has decreased by Rs 30000 crore and spectrum sales target have not been met. The shortfall in the RBI dividend, by the way, is a direct result of the policy of demonetisation. With the huge deposits in the banks, the interest paid to customers as well as banks to hold the deposit, plus the costs of new note printing drastically reduced the profitability of RBI, which resulted in a decline in its dividend paid to the government.

This stressed fiscal situation is further aggravated by another crucial development. When Modi assumed office in 2014, the price of a barrel of crude oil in the international market was more than $100 which subsequently halved its value. Taking advantage of this low oil price, the government increased the excise duty on petroleum products, such that while crude oil prices declined, retail prices did not. Through this imposition of excise duties, the government collected 1.8% of GDP as revenue. The total excise duty collection from the oil sector doubled. Now, however, crude oil prices are rising up. As a result, retail prices of petrol and diesel are also increasing. For example, within 6 months, the price of petrol in Kolkata increased by more than Rs 6/litre. Rising oil prices have cascading effects on inflation, and they are politically sensitive. Therefore, the government is faced with a situation where they may have to reduce excise duty on oil, like they did in October last year. This will only aggravate government’s revenue mobilisation problem.

There has been a lot of discussion in the media regarding the rural and agriculture sector with speculation that the government would be announcing some relief for this sector. It is true that agriculture sector is in crisis. The political manifestations of this have been in terms of farmers’ agitations in Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and other states. Even in Gujarat, the BJP’s support base was dented in the rural areas. The root cause of this crisis is non-remunerative prices for agricultural products, the problem of agricultural loans and government’s refusal to write off farmers’ debts.

The government also had promised to double the income of the farmers. Far from doubling, what has happened is that the agricultural growth rate has slowed down in the country. In such a situation and given the election year, the buzz around rural sector spending increasing is natural. However, the macroeconomics of the budget with shortfalls in revenue generation will tie up the government’s hands. Either the government has to impose a new set of taxes to generate resources to be spent in the rural areas. Or else, the expenditure will be nominally increased in rural areas, at the cost of expenditures in other sectors.

The other major challenge of the government is job creation. While the PM has now turned around from digital economy towards designating pakoda making as gainful employment, the fact of the matter is that there is a slowdown in the job-generating capacity of the economy. The annual survey of Labour Bureau shows the real picture where there has been a decline in employment between 2013-14 and 2015-16. What the government will do in terms of providing jobs to the youth remain to be seen.

What is, however, binding the government to raise resources in a progressive manner and go for large-scale fiscal stimulus is not economics but its own politics and a warped notion of economic policy. In a situation where there are growth and investment slow down, agrarian crisis, growing joblessness, undergraduate economics teaches us that a fiscal stimulus will surely help in improving the situation. This stimulus can be funded by simply taxing the rich and super-rich in the country.

It has been reported by Oxfam that the top 1% of India’s population amassed 73% of the total wealth created in the country last year. The super-rich in our country are truly having ache din. If these wealth earners are taxed, such expansionary policies can be undertaken. The tax-GDP ratio in India is one of the lowest in the world. This is so at a time when India is having a record number of dollar billionaires. It is however unlikely that a government which goes ecstatic with an improvement in ranking in the faulty ‘ease of doing business’ will try to impose burdens on the rich for spending on aam admi.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

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brajeshupadhyay · 4 years

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INS Jalashwa sailed from Visakhapatnam a few days ago from the east coast to the west coast. 08:53 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates Three ships sent to evacuate Indians from Maldives and UAE India has sent three naval ships to evacuate its citizens stranded in the Maldives and UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a defence spokesperson said in the early hours on Tuesday. INS Jalashwa deployed off Mumbai coast, along with INS Magar, were diverted for Maldives on Monday night, he said. Three Navy warships have sailed out to bring back Indian citizens from Maldives and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The warships include INS Jallashwa, INS Magar and INS Shardul: Indian Navy officials (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VNE1dAdf9g — ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020 08:41 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in United States Latest Updates COVID-19 toll in US rise by 1,015 in past 24 hrs, lowest in a month The toll due to coronavirus in the United States rose by 1,015 in the past 24 hours, a tally by Johns Hopkins University showed Monday - the lowest one-day figure in a month. The Baltimore-based university had recorded more than 1.17 million cases in the country as of 8.30 pm Monday (12.am Tuesday), with 68,689 deaths. 08:24 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Nepal Latest Updates Nepal confirms 82 COVID-19 cases Seven more people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Nepal, taking total confirmed cases to 82, said the country's health ministry on Tuesday. 7 more #COVID19 cases reported in Nepal, taking the total number of positive cases in the country to 82: Nepal Health Ministry pic.twitter.com/qWEO3oWGgp — ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020 07:56 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Bihar Latest Updates In Photos: Train carrying over 1,200 migrant workers arrives at Muzaffarpur from Gujarat today Bihar: A train carrying 1208 migrant workers arrived at Muzaffarpur railway station this morning from Ahmedabad, Gujarat amid #CoronaLockdown. pic.twitter.com/Zf835ppZUL — ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020 07:50 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates Sec 144 in Mumbai till 17 May between 8 pm till 7 am In an order released on Monday, the Mumbai Police stated that Section 144 has been imposed in the city till 17 May between 8 pm and 7 am. The order clarified that during those hours, only vehicles addressing medical services and the ones used for essential services will be allowed to ply. From Tuesday, stand-alone shops will issue tokens for customers to avoid crowding at shop counters. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) imposed in Mumbai till 17th May 2020. Movement of one or more persons for all non-essential services, except for medical reasons, will be prohibited between 8 pm & 7 am: Mumbai Police #Maharashtra #CoronaLockdown pic.twitter.com/Q50KnPReVU — ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020 07:37 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates Rahul Gandhi to discuss economic state during pandemic with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's dialogue with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee on dealing with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis will be aired on Tuesday as part of his series of deliberations with experts on economy and health. The Congress party has tweeted a 1.44-minute clip from the conversation which will be aired in full at 9 am Tuesday. Tomorrow at 9 AM, tune in to watch my conversation with Nobel Laureate, Abhijit Banerjee on dealing with the economic fall out of the #COVID19 crisis. To join the conversation & for regular video updates, subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://t.co/4WBysSnKTg — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 4, 2020 07:31 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates Active containment zones in Delhi stands at 90 after three areas de-contained With three more zones de-contained on Monday, the total number of containment zones in the city stood at 90. According to the Delhi government, the areas de-contained on Monday were in the West district - in and around area of - 11/3, 2nd Floor Ashok Nagar (sealed on April 8); A 36/4, East Patel Nagar (sealed on 13 April); G-174, Capital Greens, DLF, Motinagar (sealed on 8 April). "So far, 10 areas have been de-contained and now the active containment zones in the city are 90," an official statement said. 07:24 (IST) Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Updates Odisha confirms 170 COVID-19 cases with one death With one individual testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Odisha, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state climbed to 170 on Tuesday. Of the total, there are 109 active cases. One COVID-19 patient succumbed to the viral infection so far, while the recovery rate stood at 35.3 percent with 60 patients being discharged. Coronavirus Outbreak LATEST Updates: A special train carrying about 1,200 migrant workers left for Khagaria in Bihar from Ghatkesar near Hyderabad on Tuesday. "The Shramik Special Train left for Khagaria in Bihar on Tuesday morning. All the passengers were screened before they were allowed to board," a senior south central railway official said. This is the second train arranged for the workers in Telangana. Similarly, another train from Rayannapadu near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh left for Chandrapur in Maharashtra, the SCR official added. India registered 46,433 COVID-19 positive cases on Tuesday with 1,568 fatalities due to the viral disease, according to the latest data released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The figure includes 32,134 active cases. After the Delhi government raised the VAT on auto fuel, the petrol price per litre is hiked by Rs 1.67 to Rs 71.26 while, the price of diesel increased by Rs 7.10 to Rs 69.39 in the National Capital on Tuesday. Aadhaar-based claims for public distribution system (PDS) would have saved a lot of misery for the poor, said Abhijit Banerjee during discussion on economic impact with Congress' Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday. He further claimed that many names still missing in the system. "We should try to be optimistic about overall economic revival in India post-lockdown," said Banerjee. Abhijit Banerjee advised that India should take a cue from the United States and insisted on putting money into people's hands, "as the current US administration is doing". "We have to take a chance on widening the reach of PDS," Banerjee told Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday while discussing the state of Indian economy. Handing out temporary ration card to anybody who requires one at the current moment would be a good idea to tackle the food crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee to Rahul Gandhi. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's dialogue with Nobel Laureate Abhijit Banerjee on dealing with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis will be aired on Tuesday as part of his series of deliberations with experts on economy and health. The Congress party has tweeted a 1.44-minute clip from the conversation which will be aired in full at 9 am Tuesday. In an order released on Monday, the Mumbai Police stated that Section 144 has been imposed in the city till 17 May between 8 pm and 7 am. The order clarified that during those hours, only vehicles addressing medical services and the ones used for essential services will be allowed to ply. From Tuesday, stand-alone shops will issue tokens for customers to avoid crowding at shop counters. Even as India's COVID-19 fight entered its third phase on Monday with considerable relaxations to the lockdown curbs, confirmed cases surged to 42,836 with 2,573 fresh cases. The death toll rose to 1,389 with 83 fatalities reported in 24 hours. The government said a record high number of 1,074 patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours but cautioned that the restrictions can be reimposed if there is any complacency in following the containment and social distancing norms. The Centre also announced that it will facilitate the return of Indians stranded in other countries in a phased manner from 7 May. Country records highest number of recoveries in 24 hours, says health ministry According to the 5 pm update issued by the Union health ministry, India now has 42, 836 confirmed cases of coronavirus while 1,380 persons have died due to the disease. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases (12,974), followed by Gujarat (5, 428 cases), Delhi (4,549) cases, Tamil Nadu (3,023 cases) and Madhya Pradesh (2942). Maharashtra also recorded the highest number of fatalities with 548 deaths followed by 290 in Gujarat and 165 in Madhya Pradesh. According to the health ministry, the number of active cases stood at 29,685 as 11,761 persons were cured/discharged while one has migrated. Earlier, while addressing a press briefing, Joint Secretary at the health ministry Lav Agarwal said that as many as 1,074 COVID-19 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, the highest number of recoveries recorded in one day. The rate of recovery stands at 27.52 percent , he said, but stressed that there is a need for rigorous implementation of the containment strategy while people also need to strictly adhere to hygiene as well as social distancing habits. Agarwal cautioned that if the virus spread is detected in areas that do not have any active cases for now, restrictions can be reimposed there. Kerala did not report a single new case for the second consecutive day, but neighbouring Tamil Nadu saw its tally rising by a record number of 527 new cases. Gujarat and Maharashtra also reported significant rise in their numbers. Several other states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Odisha also reported a rising number of cases. Gujarat reported 376 new cases and 29 more deaths — the highest for a day — to take its total tally of confirmed cases to more than 5,800 and fatalities to 319. Ahmedabad alone reported 259 new cases and a record number of 26 deaths on Monday, taking its tally of confirmed cases to above 4,000 and the death toll to 234. In Maharashtra’s Mumbai, the case count crossed the 9,000-mark and jumped to 9,123 with the addition of 510 new patients, while 18 more died due to the viral infection. While several big urban centres across the country continued to report rise in the number of cases, several smaller states and Union Territories — including Goa, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Meghalaya, Assam, Aruranchal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Manipur, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Tripura — have witnessed nil or very few cases getting detected in the last few days. Confusion prevails as restrictions are eased in green, orange zones In the third phase of the lockdown, more categories of stores including of apparel and electrical goods, as also various kinds of repair centres, and even barber shops in some places, reopened in several parts of the country. Liquor shops saw the biggest of the crowds and had to be closed at many places, including in the National Capital, after social distancing norms appeared totally missing. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said whatever happened on Monday was not right and all have to follow the social distancing norms . "It is sad that people were not following social distancing norms at some shops today. I request everyone to not take any risk," he said. #WATCH It was unfortunate that chaos was seen at some shops today in Delhi...If we come to know about violations of social distancing and other norms from any area, then we will have to seal the area and revoke the relaxations there: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/0eFgaqrKsB — ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2020 // // ]]> On the other hand, confusion prevailed in large industrial and business clusters across the country, including in Noida and Gurgaon on the outskirts of Delhi, on reopening of offices and industrial establishments due to lack of clarity on daily commute of their staff given continuing restrictions on major modes of the public transport. Row over rail fares of migrant workers The transport of migrant workers back to their home states continued for the third consecutive day on Monday. Kerala opened its borders at six places for Keralites stranded in other states due to the COVID-19 lockdown to return to their native places. A total of 21,500 migrant workers and their family members stranded in Gujarat for over 40 days were sent back to their native states, including UP and Bihar, through 18 trains in the last three days, a senior official told PTI. Union health ministry officials also said the process of transporting stranded migrant labourers was being coordinated by states, though the central government guidelines have clearly stated that the infectious disease management requires everyone to stay where he or she is. “Based on the request given from states for particular cases, permission was given to run special trains. Be it the government of India or the Railways, we have not talked about charging from workers. Eighty-five per cent of the transportation cost is borne by the Railways, while states have to bear 15 percent of the cost,” Agarwal told reporters. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi lashed out at the Centre and said the party's state units will bear the cost of rail travel of needy migrant workers and labourers stranded at their workplaces due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. "What is particularly disturbing is that the central government and the Rail Ministry are charging them (migrant workers) for train tickets in this hour of crisis," she said. "When the government can spend nearly Rs 100 crores on transport and food for just one public programme in Gujarat, when the Rail Ministry has the largesse to donate Rs 151 Crores to the PM's Corona fund, then why can't these essential members of our nation's fabric be given a fraction of the same courtesy, especially free rail travel, at this hour of acute distress?," the Congress president asked. Centre to facilitate return of Indians stranded abroad Separately, the Union Home Ministry said the government will facilitate the return of Indians stranded abroad and the process will begin from 7 May in a phased manner. Only asymptomatic people would be allowed to travel and it would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships, and the facility will be available on a payment basis. After their arrival in India, medical examinations will be conducted on everyone and they will be subsequently put under quarantine for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional facility, the ministry said. Modi calls for new template of globalisation at NAM virtual conference At a video-conference of leaders of the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM), Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi called for a new template of globalisation post COVID-19, saying humanity is facing a major crisis. "COVID-19 has shown us the limitations of the existing international system. In the post-COVID world, we need a new template of globalization, based on fairness, equality, and humanity," the prime minister said. "We need international institutions that are more representative of today's world. We need to promote human welfare, and not focus on economic growth alone. India has long championed such initiatives," he said. Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends 'Non-Aligned Movement' Summit via video conferencing#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/fe7NA9E7ky — ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2020 // // ]]> With inputs from agencies

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