Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package LIVE Updates: FM begins presser to announce third tranche of Rs 20-lakh-crore stimulus; agriculture, allied activities to be in focus
16:14 (IST)
Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package Latest Updates:
FM to announce 11 steps to boost agro and agro-allied sectors
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman started off her presser by praising the Indian farmers, who she said have endured all odds but propelled India on the global stage. She said that she will lay out 11 pointers in total, of which eight will be dedicated to strengthening of infrastructure and logistical needs of the sector. The last three points will be about governance reforms.
16:09 (IST)
Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package Latest Updates:
FM's third tranche of Rs 20-lakh-crore stimulus aimed at agriculture, allied activities
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced at the outset that today's focus will be on agriculture and allied sectors. The FM was announcing the third tranche of Rs 20-lakh-crore stimulus package.
16:05 (IST)
EPFO not charging penalty from cos for delay in payment of provident fund dues
15:56 (IST)
Markets slips ahead of announcement of Sitharaman's third tranche of economic package
Benchmark indices closed marginally lower after staging a sharp recovery from the intraday losses and the Nifty ended above 9,100-mark. Sensex fell 25.16 points or 0.08 percent to 31,097.73, while Nifty was down 5.90 points or 0.06 percent at 9,136.85 at close amid a volatile session.
15:52 (IST)
Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package Latest Updates:
FM to announce third tranche of Rs 20-lakh-crore economic package shortly
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce the third tranche of the mega economic package announced by the prime minister on Tuesday
15:35 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Govt data says doubling rate, case fatality rate improved since lockdown
A press release on meeting of the Group of Ministers or the central government revealed that doubling rate has improved from 3.4 days in the pre-lockdown week to 12.9 days in the last week. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) has come down from 3.2 percent in the pre-lockdown period to 2.1 percent during the last week.
15:33 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
SC declines plea seeking relief for migrants, says 'can’t stop or monitor their movement on roads'
Rejecting the plea seeking direction to the Centre on transportation of migrant workers stuck in various states due to the nationwide lockdown, the Supreme Court observed that it was impossible for courts to track or stop the movement.
The plea sought a direction to the Centre to ask all District Magistrates to identify stranded migrant walking on the roads and provide shelter and food to them before ensuring their free transportation to native places.
"How can we stop it?", the bench, headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao, said that it is up to states to take action.
15:20 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Manipur Latest Updates
Quarantine centre in Manipur sealed after patients tests positive
A community quarantine centre in Manipur's Imphal East district was sealed after a man who was lodged in the facility tested positive for COVID-19, an official said on Friday.
Imphal East Deputy Commissioner Rangitabali Waikhom said the Jamia Galina Aziz Girls School which was a designated quarantine centre was declared a "containment zone" and the building "completely sealed" as per the Manipur Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 Regulations 2020.
15:00 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates
Dakshina Kannada reports 16 of total 45 new COVID-19 cases in Karnataka alone
Of the 45 new coronavirus cases in Karnataka, 16 were reported in Dakshina Kannada, 13 in Bengaluru Urban, five in Udapi, three each in Bidar and Hassan, two in Chitradurga, and one each in Kolar, Shivamogga and Bagalkote districts.
Twenty of the new patients have travel history to Dubai, four to Mumbai and three have returned from Chennai. One patient has a history of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and another was from containment zone in Bidar.
14:56 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates
Karnataka's COVID-19 mortality rate at 3.4%, recovery at 46.12%
With 35 COVID-19 deaths in Karnataka so far, the state has registered a mortality rate of 3.4 percent. On the other hand, as many as 476 patients have been cured of the viral infection, taking the recovery rate to 46.12 percent.
"Of the total 1,032 confirmed cases, there were 520 active cases in the state," the health department said in its mid-day situation update.
14:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates
Confirmed cases in Karnataka surges 1,000 after 45 more test positive
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka surged past 1,000, with 45 people testing positive, the state health department said on Friday. Total number of positive cases in the state stood at 1,032.
14:25 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Updates
Assam CM urges Centre to extend lockdown in state by two more weeks from 17 May
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said the state has written to the Centre urging it to extend the ongoing lockdown by two more weeks from 18 May. The third phase of the coronavirus lockdown is scheduled to end on 17 May.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sonowal said all states were supposed to give their feedback on the extension of the lockdown by Friday, and the Assam government has already conveyed its stand to the Centre.
14:22 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
Supreme Court stays Madras HC order asking Tamil Nadu govt to close liquor shops in state
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Madras High Court order which had asked the Tamil Nadu government to close state-run liquor vends. Following the stay on the high court order by the apex court, the state-owned liquor shops may reopen in the state.
A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, SK Kaul and BR Gavai stayed the 8 May order of the High Court after taking note of the appeal of government firm Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) which sells alcoholic beverages in the state.
14:11 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates
Suggestions sent to Centre on resumption of public transport in Delhi during lockdown 4: Satyendar Jain
Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Friday said that the Delhi government has submitted the proposals to the Centre for the relaxations that people are expecting from the government for the next phase of coronavirus lockdown 4.
The Minister emphasized that people are stressing for the resumption of public transportation in limited manner.
"We have sent proposals to the Centre. Most people have given a proposal to wear mask in public space and maintain social distancing," said Jain while speaking to reporters.
He added: "The people have suggested that movement of buses and metro rails may be started in limited numbers to maintain social distancing."
13:51 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
'There's no plan for this sort of photography': PTI's Atul Yadav on the migrant crisis' most defining image so far
"His name was Rampukar — but he didn't tell me that. I only found out a few days later in a newspaper report. At the time, I couldn't even ask him his name," recalls Press Trust of India's chief photo correspondent Atul Yadav, "He was unable to say very much beyond 'udhar (there)' — which is where he was trying to go."
On Monday, Yadav was driving through Delhi's Nizamuddin area, when he spotted Rampukar Pandit (as identified by Hindi daily Hindustan). "It was at around 5.15 pm when I saw him sitting by the side of the road a little before the Yamuna bridge. I stopped my car and pulled over near him," he tells Firstpost, adding, "I then rolled down my window and photographed the man before getting out to go and check on him."
Read full article here...
Image coutersy: Atul Yadav's photograph of Rampukar Pandit. PTI
13:31 (IST)
Sena Bhavan closed after soldier tests positive
A portion of the Sena Bhavan was sealed off for sanitation today after one soldier tested positive for COVID.Contact tracing of the affected personnel is underway as per protocol, an official release said.
13:21 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
SP, BSP express concern over plight of migrant labourers returning home
Amid reports of accidents involving migrant labourers on their way back home, the opposition Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party expressed concern over their plight.
SP president Akhilesh Yadav in a tweet said, "The government is giving passes to industrialists to bring workers to work but there is no arrangement for the helpless labourers returning home who are forced to die of hunger and thirst on the road." "By now, all have come to know that this government is with the rich and against the labourers, farmers and poor. The BJP has been exposed."
BSP supremo Mayawati said in a tweet, "Videos of millions of migrants labourers, their helpless families on the streets returning home, their hunger and deaths on the way shown on TV are heartbreaking and sad. In such a situation, effective arrangements should be immediately made by central, state governments to help them in their life-and-death battles."
13:16 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Maharashtra govt forms two coordination panels on COVID-19
The Maharashtra government has set up two committees at state and district level for better coordinationbetween public and private hospitals in tackling the spread of COVID-19. The decision to constitute the coordination panels was taken on Thursday after a meeting between representatives of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Maharashtra Chief secretary Ajoy Mehta, according to the government.
12:59 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh Latest Updates
Man tests positive in Himachal Pradesh's Una
A 33-year-old man in Una has tested positive for COVID-19. "The man arrived from Maharashtra and was under institutional quarantine. He is now being sent to Haroli COVID-19 hospital," Dr Raman Kumar, CMO, Una said.
A total of 74 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported from Himachal Pradesh as of Thursday.
12:38 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
At least 1,061 Maharashtra Police personnel test positive
As many as 1,061 personnel of Maharashtra Police including 112 police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 so far. Of the total infected police personnel, 174 have been cured while nine have lost their lives, said the Maharashtra Police.
12:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Two infants recover from COVID-19 in Kalyan
Two infants were among 51 COVID-19 patients who recovered from the viral infection at Kalyan taluka in Maharashtra's Thane district, Madhuri Phopale, public relations officer of Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation told news agency PTI.
As many as 51 COVID-19 patients, including a one-month-old girl and a two-month-old boy, were discharged from different hospitals, following their recovery, said the official.
12:26 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
GoM meeting over COVID-19 underway at Health Ministry
A Union Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting over COVID-19 is underway at the Health and Family Welfare Ministry. Senior Ministers present in the meeting include Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.
With an increase of 3,967 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the number of coronavirus cases reached 81,970 cases, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday.
12:13 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Over 2 lakh migrant labourers ferried in 145 Shramik trains on Thursday: Railways
The Indian Railways operated 145 'Shramik Special' trains on Thursday and ferried home close to 2.10 lakh migrants stranded in various parts of the country amid the lockdown enforced in view of the novel coronavirus.
12:05 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Bangladesh Latest Updates
First COVID-19 case detected in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh
Authorities have reported the first positive coronavirus case in the crowded camps for Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh, where more than 1 million refugees are sheltered.
The person from the Rohingya community and a local person who lives in the Cox's Bazar district who also tested positive have been isolated, Mahbub Alam Talukder, said the country's refugee commissioner.
11:54 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Yogi Adityanath holds COVID-19 review meeting with senior officials
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath conducted a meeting with 'COVID-19 management Team - 11' and other senior officials to review the situation in the state, ANI reported.
11:35 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Updates
Plea filed in Kerala HC seeking COVID-19 testing of all expatriates returning to India
A plea was filed in the Kerala High Court seeking COVID-19 testing of all expatriates and other additional safety protocol for those Indians returning from other countries to India, Bar and Bench reported.
According to the petitioner, currently only those returning from UAE are subjected to rapid antibody test.
Plea in Kerala HC urging for COVID-19 testing of all expatriates and other additional safety protocol for those Indians returning from other countries to India amid #COVID19
Petitioner says that at present only those returning from UAE are being subjected to rapid antibody test
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) May 15, 2020
11:19 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Narendra Modi discusses COVID-19 situation with Bill Gates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and philanthropist Bill Gates on Thursday discussed the global response to COVID-19, and the importance of global coordination in scientific innovation and research to combat the pandemic.
During a video conference, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates and Modi agreed that given India's willingness and capacity to contribute to global efforts, it was important for New Delhi to be included in the global discussions for coordinating responses to the pandemic.
11:03 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
World Bank approves $1 bn for India as social security fund for urban poor, migrants
The World Bank has approved $1 billion for India as social security technology fund for country’s urban poor and migrant workers. The focus will be to enable India to integrate all of its 400-plus social security schemes at a technology level, the bank said.
Hindustan Times quoted Junaid Ahmad, country director, World Bank, as saying, "The project will be crucial to rebalance social security towards urban poor, as much as rural."
10:57 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
FM to announce third tranche of Centre's economic stimulus package
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will address a press conference at 4 pm on Friday. The details of the third tranche of the Centre’s economic rescue package of Rs 20 lakh crore will be announced.
The second tranche, announced on Thursday, focussed on migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, the self-employed and small farmers.
10:49 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Updates
Odisha reports 672 COVID-19 cases
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Odisha climbed to 672 after 48 more individuals tested positive for the viral infection on Friday, said the state health department.
10:47 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Nitin Gadkari to hold webinar on impact of higher education amid pandemic
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will address a webinar on 'Impact of Higher Education in the post COVID-19 economy' on Friday from 12.30 pm till 1.30 pm, News18 reported.
10:34 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Badrinath temple opens, devotees restricted to enter
The gates of the Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand were opened at 4.30 am on Friday, news agency ANI reported. Officials said only 27 people, including the head priest, will be allowed at the temple.
"Devotees will not be allowed entry into the temple during that time. The decision has been taken in view of the guidelines issued by the centre amid the COVID-19 pandemic," Anil Chanyal, sub-divisional magistrate of Joshimath, said in a statement.
#WATCH Uttarakhand: The portals of Badrinath Temple opened at 4:30 am today. 28 people including the Chief Priest was present at the temple when its portals opened. (Video Source: ITBP) pic.twitter.com/Yr6pamv7Kk
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
10:12 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
India's COVID-19 recovery rate at 34%
The COVID-19 recovery rate in India stood at 34 percent after 27,920 patients were discharged as of Friday, according to the recent data released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
10:07 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
India's confirmed cases swell to 81,970 after 3,995 more test positive
India registered 81,970 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday after 3,995 more tested positive across the nation in the past 24 hours. The COVID-19 toll stood at 2,649 with 100 more patients succumbing to the infectious disease.
Of the total 81,970, there are 51,401 active cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
09:41 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Three migrant workers killed, four injured in road accident in UP's Barabanki
Three migrants were killed, while four injured in a road accident in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh around 2.30 am on Friday. The incident took place when the labourers were coming Surat in Gujarat and were heading towards Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh.
Those injured have been admitted to Trauma Centre in Lucknow.
09:23 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Two migrant workers, including a woman, killed in road accident in UP's Jalaun dist
At least two migrant workers were killed, 14 seriously injured in a road accident in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday night, according to media reports. The incident took place when a DCM carrying migrant labourers was hit by by a vehicle in Girthan village located in NH-27 of Etah police station area, TV9 reported.
The report also mentioned, that a woman was among the two killed of the total 46 migrant workers in the DCM vehicle. All the injured have been admitted to the Government Medical College Orai.
09:07 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
INS Jalashwa to sail again from Male to repatriate at least 700 Indians
Indian navy ship INS Jalashwa will sail again from Maldives capital of Male on Friday to repatriate around 700 residents of Kerala and Lakshadweep under the Samudra setu mission.
The pre-embarkation activities have begun and people are being ferried from different points of Male to the airport where emigration and medical checkup etc. are to be carried out. The ship will depart in the afternoon.
08:51 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Maharashtra set to extend lockdown till end of May, will send report to this effect to Centre today
The Maharashtra government has called for an extension of lockdown in the State till 31 May, and is likely to send a report to this effect to the Centre by Friday.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with State Cabinet ministers to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state and the measures needed to be implemented to contain the fast-spreading virus.
According to a senior minister, a consensus was reached on that the lockdown has to be extended in certain parts of the State, especially in red zones such as the Mumbai and Pune metropolitan regions, Malegaon and Solapur.
The Hindu quoted the minister as saying, "It was also agreed upon that the lockdown from now on has to be strictly implemented in red zones, especially in containment areas. At the same time, further relaxations could be given in orange and green zones," adding that the recommendation will be sent to the Centre on Friday.
08:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Bihar Latest Updates
Bihar registers 999 COVID-19 cases as 46 more test positive
With 46 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Bihar, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state climbed to 999 on Thursday, a senior official said.
08:26 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Air India to open bookings for select repatriation flights from Delhi
Air India is taking bookings for about 30 outbound flights — mainly from Delhi — for some destinations in the US, Canada, UK, Paris, Frankfurt, Singapore and Australia.
These flights will operate from 17-28 May as part of the Vande Bharat Mission-II to fly back Indians stranded abroad.
08:05 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
In Photos: Delhi migrant workers walk home to different parts in UP
Delhi: Migrant workers reach Delhi-Ghazipur border to return to their homes in different parts of Uttar Pradesh. One of them,Rita,says "My home is in Hardoi. My landlord has kicked me out as I couldn't pay rent. My children are young but there's no other option but to walk home." pic.twitter.com/2dPw1Gh5ZJ
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
08:02 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Flight attendants to wear face shield, gown and mask when airlines resume ops
Cabin crew members of Indian airlines will have personal protective equipment (PPE) like face shields, gowns and masks as part of their attire on commercial passenger flights when they resume operations, industry sources said.
Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, Vistara and AirAsia India have decided to go with the new attire in order to ensure safety of cabin crew members as they are in close proximity to passengers during flights, the sources said.
"While AirAsia India will have face shields, masks, gowns, aprons and gloves as a part of their PPE attire for cabin crew members, Vistara would have a lap gown, face mask and face shield as the new dress code," a source said.
07:44 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
25 new COVID-19 deaths in Mumbai
Of the 44 deaths recorded in Maharashtra, 25 COVID-19 patients succumbed to the infection in financial capital Mumbai, 10 in Navi Mumbai, five in Pune, two in Aurangabad and one person each died in Panvel and Kalyan.
07:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Maharashtra registers highest single-day jump with 1,602 new COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra on Thursday reported 1,602 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike so far, taking the state’s overall count to 27,524, according to state health department data.
With 44 deaths registered today, the death toll in Maharashtra due to the contagious coronavirus disease has now breached the 1000-mark and stands at 1019.
07:32 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
India reports second-highest spike in COVID-19 cases with total inching towards 80,000
In the biggest surge in COVID-19 infections in Delhi, 472 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Thursday, as India's total neared 80,000 with 3,995 fresh cases reported, the second-highest rise in a day.
While this was the fifth consecutive day of over 3,500 cases being added to the country's overall count, the growth rate of the infection has gradually decreased during this period.
07:23 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Centre to provide free food grain to migrants, concessional credit to farmers
The government on Thursday announced a Rs 3.16 lakh crore package of free foodgrains for migrant workers, concessional credit to farmers and working capital loan for street vendors as part of the second tranche of fiscal stimulus to heal an economy hit hard by coronavirus lockdown.
At a news conference, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said 8 crore migrant workers will get 5 kgs of grains and 1 kg of pulses free for two months, while 50 lakh street vendors rendered jobless by the lockdown would be given a working capital loan of Rs 10,000 each.
Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package Latest Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce the third tranche of the mega economic package announced by the prime minister on Tuesday
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka surged past 1,000, with 45 people testing positive, the state health department said on Friday. Total number of positive cases in the state stood at 1,032.
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Madras High Court order which had asked the Tamil Nadu government to close state-run liquor vends. Following the stay on the high court order by the apex court, the state-owned liquor shops may reopen in the state.
A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, SK Kaul and BR Gavai stayed the 8 May order of the High Court after taking note of the appeal of government firm Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) which sells alcoholic beverages in the state
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said the state has written to the Centre urging it to extend the ongoing lockdown by two more weeks from 18 May. The third phase of the coronavirus lockdown is scheduled to end on 17 May.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sonowal said all states were supposed to give their feedback on the extension of the lockdown by Friday, and the Assam government has already conveyed its stand to the Centre.
As many as 1,061 personnel of Maharashtra Police including 112 police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 so far. Of the total infected police personnel, 174 have been cured while nine have lost their lives, said the Maharashtra Police.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will address a press conference at 4 pm on Friday. The details of the third tranche of the Centre’s economic rescue package of Rs 20 lakh crore will be announced.
The second tranche, announced on Thursday, focussed on migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, the self-employed and small farmers.
The World Bank has approved $1 billion for India as social security technology fund for country’s urban poor and migrant workers. The focus will be to enable India to integrate all of its 400-plus social security schemes at a technology level, the bank said.
Hindustan Times quoted Junaid Ahmad, country director, World Bank, as saying, "The project will be crucial to rebalance social security towards urban poor, as much as rural."
India registered 81,970 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday after 3,995 more tested positive across the nation in the past 24 hours. The COVID-19 toll stood at 2,649 with 100 more patients succumbing to the infectious disease.
Of the total 81,970, there are 51,401 active cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Indian navy ship INS Jalashwa will sail again from Maldives capital of Male on Friday to repatriate around 700 residents of Kerala and Lakshadweep under the Samudra setu mission.
The pre-embarkation activities have begun and people are being ferried from different points of Male to the airport where emigration and medical checkup etc. are to be carried out. The ship will depart in the afternoon.
At least two migrant workers were killed, 14 seriously injured in a road accident in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday night, according to media reports. The incident took place when a DCM carrying migrant labourers was hit by a vehicle in Girthan village located in NH-27 of Etah police station area, TV9 reported.
The report also mentioned, that a woman was among the two killed of the total 46 migrant workers in the DCM vehicle. All the injured have been admitted to the Government Medical College Orai.
The Maharashtra government has called for an extension of lockdown in the State till 31 May, and is likely to send a report to this effect to the Centre by Friday.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with State Cabinet ministers to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state and the measures needed to be implemented to contain the fast-spreading virus.
According to a senior minister, a consensus was reached on that the lockdown has to be extended in certain parts of the State, especially in red zones such as the Mumbai and Pune metropolitan regions, Malegaon and Solapur.
The Hindu quoted the minister as saying, "It was also agreed upon that the lockdown from now on has to be strictly implemented in red zones, especially in containment areas. At the same time, further relaxations could be given in orange and green zones," adding that the recommendation will be sent to the Centre on Friday.
Maharashtra on Thursday reported 1,602 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike so far, taking the state’s overall count to 27,524, according to state health department data.
With 44 deaths registered today, the death toll in Maharashtra due to the contagious coronavirus disease has now breached the 1000-mark and stands at 1019.
The number of deaths from COVID-19 disease rose to 2,549 and the number of cases climbed to 78,003 on Thursday, registering an increase of 134 fatalities and 3,722 infections in the last 24 hours since Wednesday 8 am, according to the Union Health Ministry.
The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 49,219 while 26,234 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, it said.
Meanwhile, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the media for the second day in a row, and spelt out more details of the Centre's Rs 20-lakh-crore special economic package. She said the second tranche of economic stimulus package will be for the benefit of migrant workers, street vendors and small farmers.
FM announces concessional credit for farmers, free food grains for migrants
Sitharaman on Thursday announced a Rs 3.16 lakh crore package comprising free food grains for migrant workers, Rs 2 lakh crore concessional credit to small farmers and working capital loan for street vendors in a bid to help those hit hard by the nationwide lockdown.
Together with the Wednesday's Rs 5.94 lakh crore package that mostly comprised off-budget credit line and support to small businesses, shadow banks and electricity distribution companies, the government has unveiled over Rs 9 lakh crore plans out of the Rs 20 lakh crore package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to heal Asia's third-largest economy that was seen hurtling towards its first full-year contraction in four decades.
Sitharaman said each of the eight crore migrant workers, who had to leave their workplaces after imposition of the lockdown on 25 March, will get 5 kg grains and 1 kg pulses free for two months.
Also, 50 lakh street vendors who were rendered jobless as the government ordered stay-at-home would be given a working capital loan of Rs 10,000 each to restart their businesses.
For farmers, the finance minister announced a Rs 2 lakh crore concessional credit through Kisan Credits Cards, benefiting as many as 2.5 crore farmers.
However, the Congress criticised the economic package as a "jumla" saying it has so far been way short of what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised and the entire press conference of the finance minister was classic display of "arrogance, ignorance and insensitivity".
Senior spokesperson of the party Anand Sharma said the country believed that Modi was serious when he made the "dramatic" announcement of giving 10 percent of the GDP as a package to revive the economy and support workers and migrant labourers and that expectations had soared.
"The finance minister's announcement dashed all hopes," he said.
State-wise deaths and cases
India has reported a total 134 deaths deaths since Wednesday morning, of which 54 were in Maharashtra, 29 in Gujarat, 20 in Delhi, 9 in West Bengal, seven in Madhya Pradesh, four in Rajasthan, three in Tamil Nadu, two each in Telangana and Karnataka and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.
Of the 2,549 fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 975 fatalities, Gujarat comes second with 566 deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 232, West Bengal at 207, Rajasthan at 121, Delhi at 106, Uttar Pradesh at 83, Tamil Nadu at 64 and Andhra Pradesh at 47.
The toll reached 34 in Telangana, 33 in Karnataka and 32 in Punjab on Thursday. Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir have reported 11 fatalities each due to the respiratory disease while Bihar has registered seven and Kerala has reported four deaths.
Jharkhand, Chandigarh and Odisha have recorded three COVID-19 fatalities each while Himachal Pradesh and Assam have reported two deaths each. Meghalaya, Uttarakhand and Puducherry have reported one fatality each, according to the ministry data.
According to the ministry's website, more than 70 percent of the deaths are due to comorbidities.
According to the health ministry data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country is from Maharashtra at 25,922, followed by Gujarat at 9,267, Tamil Nadu at 9,227, Delhi at 7,998, Rajasthan at 4,328, Madhya Pradesh at 4,173 and Uttar Pradesh at 3,729.
The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 2,290 in West Bengal, 2,137 in Andhra Pradesh and 1,924 in Punjab. It has risen to 1,367 in Telangana, 971 in Jammu and Kashmir, 959 in Karnataka, 940 in Bihar and 793 in Haryana.
Kerala has reported 534 coronavirus cases so far, while Odisha has 538 cases. A total of 187 people have been infected with the virus in Chandigarh and 173 in Jharkhand.
Tripura has reported 155 cases, Assam has 80 cases, Uttarakhand has 72, Himachal Pradesh has 66 cases, Chhattisgarh has 59 and Ladakh has registered 43 cases so far.
Thirty-three COVID-19 cases have been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Meghalaya and Puducherry have registered 13 cases each while Goa has seven COVID-19 cases.
Manipur has two cases. Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have reported a case each till now.
Doubling time has slowed to 13.9 days, says health minister
The doubling time of novel coronavirus cases has slowed to 13.9 days in the last three days and India now has a capacity of 1,00,000 COVID-19 tests per day with nearly 20 lakh carried out till now, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said.
Vardhan, who visited the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Delhi and dedicated a COBAS 6800 testing machine to the nation, said 14 states and Union territories have not reported any case of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours.
These states and UTs are Gujarat, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Puducherry.
Also, Daman and Diu, Sikkim, Nagaland and Lakshadweep have not reported any cases so far.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to use one time RT-PCR based pooled sampling for COVID-19 screening of migrant workers and returnees from abroad kept in quarantine facilities.
The same testing technique would also be used for monitoring in green zone districts which have reported no cases till now or in the last 21 days, the health ministry said while issuing "Guidelines for RT-PCR based pooled sampling for migrants/returnees from abroad/green zones".
806 shramik special trains brought into operation till now, says Railways
The Railways has operated 806 shramik special trains since 1 May, ferrying home 10 lakh migrant workers who were stranded in various parts of the country due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown, officials said on Thursday. Of these, Uttar Pradesh received the maximum number of trains followed by Bihar, they said.
"As on 14 May, 2020, a total of 806 'shramik special' trains have been operationalised from various states across the country. More than 10 lakh passengers have reached their home state.
"Trains are being run by the Railways only after concurrence is given both by the state which is sending the passengers and the state which is receiving them," the railways said.
Out of the 806 trains which have been operated so far, 166 are in transit while 640 have terminated at various stations. Sixty-three more are in the pipeline, an official said.
These 806 trains were terminated in various states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
With inputs from PTI
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16:14 (IST)
Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package Latest Updates:
FM to announce 11 steps to boost agro and agro-allied sectors
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman started off her presser by praising the Indian farmers, who she said have endured all odds but propelled India on the global stage. She said that she will lay out 11 pointers in total, of which eight will be dedicated to strengthening of infrastructure and logistical needs of the sector. The last three points will be about governance reforms.
16:09 (IST)
Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package Latest Updates:
FM's third tranche of Rs 20-lakh-crore stimulus aimed at agriculture, allied activities
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced at the outset that today's focus will be on agriculture and allied sectors. The FM was announcing the third tranche of Rs 20-lakh-crore stimulus package.
16:05 (IST)
EPFO not charging penalty from cos for delay in payment of provident fund dues
15:56 (IST)
Markets slips ahead of announcement of Sitharaman's third tranche of economic package
Benchmark indices closed marginally lower after staging a sharp recovery from the intraday losses and the Nifty ended above 9,100-mark. Sensex fell 25.16 points or 0.08 percent to 31,097.73, while Nifty was down 5.90 points or 0.06 percent at 9,136.85 at close amid a volatile session.
15:52 (IST)
Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package Latest Updates:
FM to announce third tranche of Rs 20-lakh-crore economic package shortly
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce the third tranche of the mega economic package announced by the prime minister on Tuesday
15:35 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Govt data says doubling rate, case fatality rate improved since lockdown
A press release on meeting of the Group of Ministers or the central government revealed that doubling rate has improved from 3.4 days in the pre-lockdown week to 12.9 days in the last week. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) has come down from 3.2 percent in the pre-lockdown period to 2.1 percent during the last week.
15:33 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
SC declines plea seeking relief for migrants, says 'can’t stop or monitor their movement on roads'
Rejecting the plea seeking direction to the Centre on transportation of migrant workers stuck in various states due to the nationwide lockdown, the Supreme Court observed that it was impossible for courts to track or stop the movement.
The plea sought a direction to the Centre to ask all District Magistrates to identify stranded migrant walking on the roads and provide shelter and food to them before ensuring their free transportation to native places.
"How can we stop it?", the bench, headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao, said that it is up to states to take action.
15:20 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Manipur Latest Updates
Quarantine centre in Manipur sealed after patients tests positive
A community quarantine centre in Manipur's Imphal East district was sealed after a man who was lodged in the facility tested positive for COVID-19, an official said on Friday.
Imphal East Deputy Commissioner Rangitabali Waikhom said the Jamia Galina Aziz Girls School which was a designated quarantine centre was declared a "containment zone" and the building "completely sealed" as per the Manipur Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 Regulations 2020.
15:00 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates
Dakshina Kannada reports 16 of total 45 new COVID-19 cases in Karnataka alone
Of the 45 new coronavirus cases in Karnataka, 16 were reported in Dakshina Kannada, 13 in Bengaluru Urban, five in Udapi, three each in Bidar and Hassan, two in Chitradurga, and one each in Kolar, Shivamogga and Bagalkote districts.
Twenty of the new patients have travel history to Dubai, four to Mumbai and three have returned from Chennai. One patient has a history of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and another was from containment zone in Bidar.
14:56 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates
Karnataka's COVID-19 mortality rate at 3.4%, recovery at 46.12%
With 35 COVID-19 deaths in Karnataka so far, the state has registered a mortality rate of 3.4 percent. On the other hand, as many as 476 patients have been cured of the viral infection, taking the recovery rate to 46.12 percent.
"Of the total 1,032 confirmed cases, there were 520 active cases in the state," the health department said in its mid-day situation update.
14:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Karnataka Latest Updates
Confirmed cases in Karnataka surges 1,000 after 45 more test positive
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka surged past 1,000, with 45 people testing positive, the state health department said on Friday. Total number of positive cases in the state stood at 1,032.
14:25 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Assam Latest Updates
Assam CM urges Centre to extend lockdown in state by two more weeks from 17 May
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said the state has written to the Centre urging it to extend the ongoing lockdown by two more weeks from 18 May. The third phase of the coronavirus lockdown is scheduled to end on 17 May.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sonowal said all states were supposed to give their feedback on the extension of the lockdown by Friday, and the Assam government has already conveyed its stand to the Centre.
14:22 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Tamil Nadu Latest Updates
Supreme Court stays Madras HC order asking Tamil Nadu govt to close liquor shops in state
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Madras High Court order which had asked the Tamil Nadu government to close state-run liquor vends. Following the stay on the high court order by the apex court, the state-owned liquor shops may reopen in the state.
A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, SK Kaul and BR Gavai stayed the 8 May order of the High Court after taking note of the appeal of government firm Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) which sells alcoholic beverages in the state.
14:11 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Delhi Latest Updates
Suggestions sent to Centre on resumption of public transport in Delhi during lockdown 4: Satyendar Jain
Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Friday said that the Delhi government has submitted the proposals to the Centre for the relaxations that people are expecting from the government for the next phase of coronavirus lockdown 4.
The Minister emphasized that people are stressing for the resumption of public transportation in limited manner.
"We have sent proposals to the Centre. Most people have given a proposal to wear mask in public space and maintain social distancing," said Jain while speaking to reporters.
He added: "The people have suggested that movement of buses and metro rails may be started in limited numbers to maintain social distancing."
13:51 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
'There's no plan for this sort of photography': PTI's Atul Yadav on the migrant crisis' most defining image so far
"His name was Rampukar — but he didn't tell me that. I only found out a few days later in a newspaper report. At the time, I couldn't even ask him his name," recalls Press Trust of India's chief photo correspondent Atul Yadav, "He was unable to say very much beyond 'udhar (there)' — which is where he was trying to go."
On Monday, Yadav was driving through Delhi's Nizamuddin area, when he spotted Rampukar Pandit (as identified by Hindi daily Hindustan). "It was at around 5.15 pm when I saw him sitting by the side of the road a little before the Yamuna bridge. I stopped my car and pulled over near him," he tells Firstpost, adding, "I then rolled down my window and photographed the man before getting out to go and check on him."
Read full article here...
Image coutersy: Atul Yadav's photograph of Rampukar Pandit. PTI
13:31 (IST)
Sena Bhavan closed after soldier tests positive
A portion of the Sena Bhavan was sealed off for sanitation today after one soldier tested positive for COVID.Contact tracing of the affected personnel is underway as per protocol, an official release said.
13:21 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
SP, BSP express concern over plight of migrant labourers returning home
Amid reports of accidents involving migrant labourers on their way back home, the opposition Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party expressed concern over their plight.
SP president Akhilesh Yadav in a tweet said, "The government is giving passes to industrialists to bring workers to work but there is no arrangement for the helpless labourers returning home who are forced to die of hunger and thirst on the road." "By now, all have come to know that this government is with the rich and against the labourers, farmers and poor. The BJP has been exposed."
BSP supremo Mayawati said in a tweet, "Videos of millions of migrants labourers, their helpless families on the streets returning home, their hunger and deaths on the way shown on TV are heartbreaking and sad. In such a situation, effective arrangements should be immediately made by central, state governments to help them in their life-and-death battles."
13:16 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Maharashtra govt forms two coordination panels on COVID-19
The Maharashtra government has set up two committees at state and district level for better coordinationbetween public and private hospitals in tackling the spread of COVID-19. The decision to constitute the coordination panels was taken on Thursday after a meeting between representatives of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Maharashtra Chief secretary Ajoy Mehta, according to the government.
12:59 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Himachal Pradesh Latest Updates
Man tests positive in Himachal Pradesh's Una
A 33-year-old man in Una has tested positive for COVID-19. "The man arrived from Maharashtra and was under institutional quarantine. He is now being sent to Haroli COVID-19 hospital," Dr Raman Kumar, CMO, Una said.
A total of 74 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported from Himachal Pradesh as of Thursday.
12:38 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
At least 1,061 Maharashtra Police personnel test positive
As many as 1,061 personnel of Maharashtra Police including 112 police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 so far. Of the total infected police personnel, 174 have been cured while nine have lost their lives, said the Maharashtra Police.
12:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Two infants recover from COVID-19 in Kalyan
Two infants were among 51 COVID-19 patients who recovered from the viral infection at Kalyan taluka in Maharashtra's Thane district, Madhuri Phopale, public relations officer of Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation told news agency PTI.
As many as 51 COVID-19 patients, including a one-month-old girl and a two-month-old boy, were discharged from different hospitals, following their recovery, said the official.
12:26 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
GoM meeting over COVID-19 underway at Health Ministry
A Union Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting over COVID-19 is underway at the Health and Family Welfare Ministry. Senior Ministers present in the meeting include Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.
With an increase of 3,967 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the number of coronavirus cases reached 81,970 cases, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday.
12:13 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Over 2 lakh migrant labourers ferried in 145 Shramik trains on Thursday: Railways
The Indian Railways operated 145 'Shramik Special' trains on Thursday and ferried home close to 2.10 lakh migrants stranded in various parts of the country amid the lockdown enforced in view of the novel coronavirus.
12:05 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Bangladesh Latest Updates
First COVID-19 case detected in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh
Authorities have reported the first positive coronavirus case in the crowded camps for Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh, where more than 1 million refugees are sheltered.
The person from the Rohingya community and a local person who lives in the Cox's Bazar district who also tested positive have been isolated, Mahbub Alam Talukder, said the country's refugee commissioner.
11:54 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Yogi Adityanath holds COVID-19 review meeting with senior officials
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath conducted a meeting with 'COVID-19 management Team - 11' and other senior officials to review the situation in the state, ANI reported.
11:35 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Kerala Latest Updates
Plea filed in Kerala HC seeking COVID-19 testing of all expatriates returning to India
A plea was filed in the Kerala High Court seeking COVID-19 testing of all expatriates and other additional safety protocol for those Indians returning from other countries to India, Bar and Bench reported.
According to the petitioner, currently only those returning from UAE are subjected to rapid antibody test.
Plea in Kerala HC urging for COVID-19 testing of all expatriates and other additional safety protocol for those Indians returning from other countries to India amid #COVID19
Petitioner says that at present only those returning from UAE are being subjected to rapid antibody test
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) May 15, 2020
11:19 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Narendra Modi discusses COVID-19 situation with Bill Gates
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and philanthropist Bill Gates on Thursday discussed the global response to COVID-19, and the importance of global coordination in scientific innovation and research to combat the pandemic.
During a video conference, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates and Modi agreed that given India's willingness and capacity to contribute to global efforts, it was important for New Delhi to be included in the global discussions for coordinating responses to the pandemic.
11:03 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
World Bank approves $1 bn for India as social security fund for urban poor, migrants
The World Bank has approved $1 billion for India as social security technology fund for country’s urban poor and migrant workers. The focus will be to enable India to integrate all of its 400-plus social security schemes at a technology level, the bank said.
Hindustan Times quoted Junaid Ahmad, country director, World Bank, as saying, "The project will be crucial to rebalance social security towards urban poor, as much as rural."
10:57 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
FM to announce third tranche of Centre's economic stimulus package
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will address a press conference at 4 pm on Friday. The details of the third tranche of the Centre’s economic rescue package of Rs 20 lakh crore will be announced.
The second tranche, announced on Thursday, focussed on migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, the self-employed and small farmers.
10:49 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Odisha Latest Updates
Odisha reports 672 COVID-19 cases
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Odisha climbed to 672 after 48 more individuals tested positive for the viral infection on Friday, said the state health department.
10:47 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Nitin Gadkari to hold webinar on impact of higher education amid pandemic
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will address a webinar on 'Impact of Higher Education in the post COVID-19 economy' on Friday from 12.30 pm till 1.30 pm, News18 reported.
10:34 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Badrinath temple opens, devotees restricted to enter
The gates of the Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand were opened at 4.30 am on Friday, news agency ANI reported. Officials said only 27 people, including the head priest, will be allowed at the temple.
"Devotees will not be allowed entry into the temple during that time. The decision has been taken in view of the guidelines issued by the centre amid the COVID-19 pandemic," Anil Chanyal, sub-divisional magistrate of Joshimath, said in a statement.
#WATCH Uttarakhand: The portals of Badrinath Temple opened at 4:30 am today. 28 people including the Chief Priest was present at the temple when its portals opened. (Video Source: ITBP) pic.twitter.com/Yr6pamv7Kk
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
10:12 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
India's COVID-19 recovery rate at 34%
The COVID-19 recovery rate in India stood at 34 percent after 27,920 patients were discharged as of Friday, according to the recent data released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
10:07 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
India's confirmed cases swell to 81,970 after 3,995 more test positive
India registered 81,970 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday after 3,995 more tested positive across the nation in the past 24 hours. The COVID-19 toll stood at 2,649 with 100 more patients succumbing to the infectious disease.
Of the total 81,970, there are 51,401 active cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
09:41 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Three migrant workers killed, four injured in road accident in UP's Barabanki
Three migrants were killed, while four injured in a road accident in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh around 2.30 am on Friday. The incident took place when the labourers were coming Surat in Gujarat and were heading towards Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh.
Those injured have been admitted to Trauma Centre in Lucknow.
09:23 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
Two migrant workers, including a woman, killed in road accident in UP's Jalaun dist
At least two migrant workers were killed, 14 seriously injured in a road accident in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday night, according to media reports. The incident took place when a DCM carrying migrant labourers was hit by by a vehicle in Girthan village located in NH-27 of Etah police station area, TV9 reported.
The report also mentioned, that a woman was among the two killed of the total 46 migrant workers in the DCM vehicle. All the injured have been admitted to the Government Medical College Orai.
09:07 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
INS Jalashwa to sail again from Male to repatriate at least 700 Indians
Indian navy ship INS Jalashwa will sail again from Maldives capital of Male on Friday to repatriate around 700 residents of Kerala and Lakshadweep under the Samudra setu mission.
The pre-embarkation activities have begun and people are being ferried from different points of Male to the airport where emigration and medical checkup etc. are to be carried out. The ship will depart in the afternoon.
08:51 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Maharashtra set to extend lockdown till end of May, will send report to this effect to Centre today
The Maharashtra government has called for an extension of lockdown in the State till 31 May, and is likely to send a report to this effect to the Centre by Friday.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with State Cabinet ministers to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state and the measures needed to be implemented to contain the fast-spreading virus.
According to a senior minister, a consensus was reached on that the lockdown has to be extended in certain parts of the State, especially in red zones such as the Mumbai and Pune metropolitan regions, Malegaon and Solapur.
The Hindu quoted the minister as saying, "It was also agreed upon that the lockdown from now on has to be strictly implemented in red zones, especially in containment areas. At the same time, further relaxations could be given in orange and green zones," adding that the recommendation will be sent to the Centre on Friday.
08:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Bihar Latest Updates
Bihar registers 999 COVID-19 cases as 46 more test positive
With 46 more people testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Bihar, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state climbed to 999 on Thursday, a senior official said.
08:26 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Air India to open bookings for select repatriation flights from Delhi
Air India is taking bookings for about 30 outbound flights — mainly from Delhi — for some destinations in the US, Canada, UK, Paris, Frankfurt, Singapore and Australia.
These flights will operate from 17-28 May as part of the Vande Bharat Mission-II to fly back Indians stranded abroad.
08:05 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Uttar Pradesh Latest Updates
In Photos: Delhi migrant workers walk home to different parts in UP
Delhi: Migrant workers reach Delhi-Ghazipur border to return to their homes in different parts of Uttar Pradesh. One of them,Rita,says "My home is in Hardoi. My landlord has kicked me out as I couldn't pay rent. My children are young but there's no other option but to walk home." pic.twitter.com/2dPw1Gh5ZJ
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2020
08:02 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Flight attendants to wear face shield, gown and mask when airlines resume ops
Cabin crew members of Indian airlines will have personal protective equipment (PPE) like face shields, gowns and masks as part of their attire on commercial passenger flights when they resume operations, industry sources said.
Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, Vistara and AirAsia India have decided to go with the new attire in order to ensure safety of cabin crew members as they are in close proximity to passengers during flights, the sources said.
"While AirAsia India will have face shields, masks, gowns, aprons and gloves as a part of their PPE attire for cabin crew members, Vistara would have a lap gown, face mask and face shield as the new dress code," a source said.
07:44 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
25 new COVID-19 deaths in Mumbai
Of the 44 deaths recorded in Maharashtra, 25 COVID-19 patients succumbed to the infection in financial capital Mumbai, 10 in Navi Mumbai, five in Pune, two in Aurangabad and one person each died in Panvel and Kalyan.
07:36 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in Maharashtra Latest Updates
Maharashtra registers highest single-day jump with 1,602 new COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra on Thursday reported 1,602 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike so far, taking the state’s overall count to 27,524, according to state health department data.
With 44 deaths registered today, the death toll in Maharashtra due to the contagious coronavirus disease has now breached the 1000-mark and stands at 1019.
07:32 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
India reports second-highest spike in COVID-19 cases with total inching towards 80,000
In the biggest surge in COVID-19 infections in Delhi, 472 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Thursday, as India's total neared 80,000 with 3,995 fresh cases reported, the second-highest rise in a day.
While this was the fifth consecutive day of over 3,500 cases being added to the country's overall count, the growth rate of the infection has gradually decreased during this period.
07:23 (IST)
Coronavirus Outbreak in India Latest Updates
Centre to provide free food grain to migrants, concessional credit to farmers
The government on Thursday announced a Rs 3.16 lakh crore package of free foodgrains for migrant workers, concessional credit to farmers and working capital loan for street vendors as part of the second tranche of fiscal stimulus to heal an economy hit hard by coronavirus lockdown.
At a news conference, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said 8 crore migrant workers will get 5 kgs of grains and 1 kg of pulses free for two months, while 50 lakh street vendors rendered jobless by the lockdown would be given a working capital loan of Rs 10,000 each.
Nirmala Sitharaman on Economic Package Latest Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will announce the third tranche of the mega economic package announced by the prime minister on Tuesday
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka surged past 1,000, with 45 people testing positive, the state health department said on Friday. Total number of positive cases in the state stood at 1,032.
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the Madras High Court order which had asked the Tamil Nadu government to close state-run liquor vends. Following the stay on the high court order by the apex court, the state-owned liquor shops may reopen in the state.
A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, SK Kaul and BR Gavai stayed the 8 May order of the High Court after taking note of the appeal of government firm Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) which sells alcoholic beverages in the state
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said the state has written to the Centre urging it to extend the ongoing lockdown by two more weeks from 18 May. The third phase of the coronavirus lockdown is scheduled to end on 17 May.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sonowal said all states were supposed to give their feedback on the extension of the lockdown by Friday, and the Assam government has already conveyed its stand to the Centre.
As many as 1,061 personnel of Maharashtra Police including 112 police officers have tested positive for COVID-19 so far. Of the total infected police personnel, 174 have been cured while nine have lost their lives, said the Maharashtra Police.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will address a press conference at 4 pm on Friday. The details of the third tranche of the Centre’s economic rescue package of Rs 20 lakh crore will be announced.
The second tranche, announced on Thursday, focussed on migrant workers, street vendors, small traders, the self-employed and small farmers.
The World Bank has approved $1 billion for India as social security technology fund for country’s urban poor and migrant workers. The focus will be to enable India to integrate all of its 400-plus social security schemes at a technology level, the bank said.
Hindustan Times quoted Junaid Ahmad, country director, World Bank, as saying, "The project will be crucial to rebalance social security towards urban poor, as much as rural."
India registered 81,970 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday after 3,995 more tested positive across the nation in the past 24 hours. The COVID-19 toll stood at 2,649 with 100 more patients succumbing to the infectious disease.
Of the total 81,970, there are 51,401 active cases, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Indian navy ship INS Jalashwa will sail again from Maldives capital of Male on Friday to repatriate around 700 residents of Kerala and Lakshadweep under the Samudra setu mission.
The pre-embarkation activities have begun and people are being ferried from different points of Male to the airport where emigration and medical checkup etc. are to be carried out. The ship will depart in the afternoon.
At least two migrant workers were killed, 14 seriously injured in a road accident in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh on Thursday night, according to media reports. The incident took place when a DCM carrying migrant labourers was hit by a vehicle in Girthan village located in NH-27 of Etah police station area, TV9 reported.
The report also mentioned, that a woman was among the two killed of the total 46 migrant workers in the DCM vehicle. All the injured have been admitted to the Government Medical College Orai.
The Maharashtra government has called for an extension of lockdown in the State till 31 May, and is likely to send a report to this effect to the Centre by Friday.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held a meeting with State Cabinet ministers to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state and the measures needed to be implemented to contain the fast-spreading virus.
According to a senior minister, a consensus was reached on that the lockdown has to be extended in certain parts of the State, especially in red zones such as the Mumbai and Pune metropolitan regions, Malegaon and Solapur.
The Hindu quoted the minister as saying, "It was also agreed upon that the lockdown from now on has to be strictly implemented in red zones, especially in containment areas. At the same time, further relaxations could be given in orange and green zones," adding that the recommendation will be sent to the Centre on Friday.
Maharashtra on Thursday reported 1,602 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike so far, taking the state’s overall count to 27,524, according to state health department data.
With 44 deaths registered today, the death toll in Maharashtra due to the contagious coronavirus disease has now breached the 1000-mark and stands at 1019.
The number of deaths from COVID-19 disease rose to 2,549 and the number of cases climbed to 78,003 on Thursday, registering an increase of 134 fatalities and 3,722 infections in the last 24 hours since Wednesday 8 am, according to the Union Health Ministry.
The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 49,219 while 26,234 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, it said.
Meanwhile, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the media for the second day in a row, and spelt out more details of the Centre's Rs 20-lakh-crore special economic package. She said the second tranche of economic stimulus package will be for the benefit of migrant workers, street vendors and small farmers.
FM announces concessional credit for farmers, free food grains for migrants
Sitharaman on Thursday announced a Rs 3.16 lakh crore package comprising free food grains for migrant workers, Rs 2 lakh crore concessional credit to small farmers and working capital loan for street vendors in a bid to help those hit hard by the nationwide lockdown.
Together with the Wednesday's Rs 5.94 lakh crore package that mostly comprised off-budget credit line and support to small businesses, shadow banks and electricity distribution companies, the government has unveiled over Rs 9 lakh crore plans out of the Rs 20 lakh crore package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to heal Asia's third-largest economy that was seen hurtling towards its first full-year contraction in four decades.
Sitharaman said each of the eight crore migrant workers, who had to leave their workplaces after imposition of the lockdown on 25 March, will get 5 kg grains and 1 kg pulses free for two months.
Also, 50 lakh street vendors who were rendered jobless as the government ordered stay-at-home would be given a working capital loan of Rs 10,000 each to restart their businesses.
For farmers, the finance minister announced a Rs 2 lakh crore concessional credit through Kisan Credits Cards, benefiting as many as 2.5 crore farmers.
However, the Congress criticised the economic package as a "jumla" saying it has so far been way short of what Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised and the entire press conference of the finance minister was classic display of "arrogance, ignorance and insensitivity".
Senior spokesperson of the party Anand Sharma said the country believed that Modi was serious when he made the "dramatic" announcement of giving 10 percent of the GDP as a package to revive the economy and support workers and migrant labourers and that expectations had soared.
"The finance minister's announcement dashed all hopes," he said.
State-wise deaths and cases
India has reported a total 134 deaths deaths since Wednesday morning, of which 54 were in Maharashtra, 29 in Gujarat, 20 in Delhi, 9 in West Bengal, seven in Madhya Pradesh, four in Rajasthan, three in Tamil Nadu, two each in Telangana and Karnataka and one each in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.
Of the 2,549 fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 975 fatalities, Gujarat comes second with 566 deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh at 232, West Bengal at 207, Rajasthan at 121, Delhi at 106, Uttar Pradesh at 83, Tamil Nadu at 64 and Andhra Pradesh at 47.
The toll reached 34 in Telangana, 33 in Karnataka and 32 in Punjab on Thursday. Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir have reported 11 fatalities each due to the respiratory disease while Bihar has registered seven and Kerala has reported four deaths.
Jharkhand, Chandigarh and Odisha have recorded three COVID-19 fatalities each while Himachal Pradesh and Assam have reported two deaths each. Meghalaya, Uttarakhand and Puducherry have reported one fatality each, according to the ministry data.
According to the ministry's website, more than 70 percent of the deaths are due to comorbidities.
According to the health ministry data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country is from Maharashtra at 25,922, followed by Gujarat at 9,267, Tamil Nadu at 9,227, Delhi at 7,998, Rajasthan at 4,328, Madhya Pradesh at 4,173 and Uttar Pradesh at 3,729.
The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 2,290 in West Bengal, 2,137 in Andhra Pradesh and 1,924 in Punjab. It has risen to 1,367 in Telangana, 971 in Jammu and Kashmir, 959 in Karnataka, 940 in Bihar and 793 in Haryana.
Kerala has reported 534 coronavirus cases so far, while Odisha has 538 cases. A total of 187 people have been infected with the virus in Chandigarh and 173 in Jharkhand.
Tripura has reported 155 cases, Assam has 80 cases, Uttarakhand has 72, Himachal Pradesh has 66 cases, Chhattisgarh has 59 and Ladakh has registered 43 cases so far.
Thirty-three COVID-19 cases have been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Meghalaya and Puducherry have registered 13 cases each while Goa has seven COVID-19 cases.
Manipur has two cases. Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have reported a case each till now.
Doubling time has slowed to 13.9 days, says health minister
The doubling time of novel coronavirus cases has slowed to 13.9 days in the last three days and India now has a capacity of 1,00,000 COVID-19 tests per day with nearly 20 lakh carried out till now, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said.
Vardhan, who visited the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Delhi and dedicated a COBAS 6800 testing machine to the nation, said 14 states and Union territories have not reported any case of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours.
These states and UTs are Gujarat, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Puducherry.
Also, Daman and Diu, Sikkim, Nagaland and Lakshadweep have not reported any cases so far.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to use one time RT-PCR based pooled sampling for COVID-19 screening of migrant workers and returnees from abroad kept in quarantine facilities.
The same testing technique would also be used for monitoring in green zone districts which have reported no cases till now or in the last 21 days, the health ministry said while issuing "Guidelines for RT-PCR based pooled sampling for migrants/returnees from abroad/green zones".
806 shramik special trains brought into operation till now, says Railways
The Railways has operated 806 shramik special trains since 1 May, ferrying home 10 lakh migrant workers who were stranded in various parts of the country due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown, officials said on Thursday. Of these, Uttar Pradesh received the maximum number of trains followed by Bihar, they said.
"As on 14 May, 2020, a total of 806 'shramik special' trains have been operationalised from various states across the country. More than 10 lakh passengers have reached their home state.
"Trains are being run by the Railways only after concurrence is given both by the state which is sending the passengers and the state which is receiving them," the railways said.
Out of the 806 trains which have been operated so far, 166 are in transit while 640 have terminated at various stations. Sixty-three more are in the pipeline, an official said.
These 806 trains were terminated in various states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
With inputs from PTI
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