Midday News |
1400 HRS
08.05.2021 |
THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the meeting of European Council today as a special invitee.
- Govt allows hospitals, nursing homes to accept cash payments of over two lakh rupees for Covid-19 treatment.
- Karnataka and Tamil Nadu impose complete lockdown from the 10th of May due to surge in covid cases.
- Centre provides over 17 crore 49 lakh vaccine doses to States and Union Territories free of cost till now.
- Over 16 crore 73 lakh vaccine doses administered to beneficiaries in the country.
- India registers over four lakh new Covid cases in the last 24 hours.
- Over three lakh 18 thousand patients recovered from COVID-19 during the last 24 hours.
- Trinamool Congress MLA Biman Bandopadhyay elected as the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly today.
- Government procures 49 per cent more Wheat during the current Rabi Season compared to the corresponding period last year.
- Indian wrestler Seema Bisla qualifies for Tokyo Olympics.
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As the number of Covid cases is on the rise, we appeal to our listeners to take all precautions and all those above 18 years of age to get vaccinated without any hesitation. The vaccination for persons of age between 18 and 44 has begun at designated facilities.
Stay safe and protected by following these three simple steps:
· Wear a face mask.
· Maintain Do Gaz Ki Doori for social distancing
· Focus on hand and face hygiene.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the meeting of the European Council today as a special invitee. The India-EU Leaders’ Meeting is being hosted by Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa. Portugal currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the virtual meeting along with the Heads of State or Government of all the 27 European Union, EU Member States. The EU27 have met in this format only once before, with the US President in March this year. The leaders will exchange views on the COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare cooperation, fostering sustainable and inclusive growth, strengthening the India-EU economic partnership as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. The India-EU Leaders’ Meeting is an unprecedented opportunity for discussion with all the leaders of the European Union Member States. It is a significant political milestone and will further build on the momentum witnessed in the relationship since the 15th India-EU Summit in July last year. Anupam Mishra, AIR News, Delhi.”
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The meeting of the leaders of the European Union and India is a moment of profound geopolitical significance. By bolstering the dialogue between the world’s two largest democratic spaces, it will provide new impetus to our partnership – with a positive effect on international trade and investment. This was stated in a joint Op-Ed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa written ahead of the pivotal India-EU Leaders’ Summit today. The Op-Ed said, India’s role as a major regional and global player is set to continue to expand over the coming years, and a strengthened partnership would offer Europe an opportunity to diversify relations in a strategic region of the world. The two leaders said, the EU and India have periodically pledged to expand the cooperation, building on the architecture set out in the1994 Strategic Partnership. But the realization of that ambition has remained a challenge compared to the opportunities offered by our economies, and the dynamics of technological development.
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The Union Government has provided over 17 crore 49 lakh vaccine doses free of cost to States and Union Territories so far. Of this, the total consumption of doses including wastages is over 16 crore 65 lakh. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has said that more than 84 lakh vaccines doses are still available with the States and Union Territories.
The Ministry has assured that more than 53 lakh 25 thousand vaccine doses will be provided to States and Union Territories within the next three days. The Health Ministry has said, vaccination is a crucial pillar in the fight against the corona virus and the third phase of Covid-19 vaccination has already started in the country. The Ministry has informed that over nine lakh 88 thousand vaccine doses are available in Uttar Pradesh, to be administered to the beneficiaries followed by Tamil Nadu with over seven lakh 28 thousand doses.
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Over 16 crore 73 lakh Covid vaccine doses have been administered to the beneficiaries in the country so far. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has said that over 22 lakh 97 thousand doses have been administered to the beneficiaries within 24 hours in the country. As the phase 3 of the nationwide vaccination drive is gaining momentum in the country, over 14 lakh 88 thousand beneficiaries of the age group 18 to 44 years have received their first dose so far.
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The country registered over four lakh new Covid cases in the last 24 hours. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry today said that the active cases are continuously rising in the country due to a spike in cases in several States and Union Territories.
The Ministry has said that there are over thirty seven lakh 23 thousand active cases in the country at present which comprises 17 per cent of the total positive cases. It said, a total of four thousand 187 deaths have been reported in the country within 24 hours, taking the toll to over two lakh 38 thousand across the country. The Health Ministry has said that over three lakh 18 thousand patients have recovered from this infectious disease within 24 hours. So far, over one crore 79 lakh patients have recovered from this disease. However, with the rising number of fresh cases, the recovery rate has declined to 81.90 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research has informed that over 18 lakh COVID tests were conducted within 24 hours. So far, over 30 crore COVID tests have been conducted in the country.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu today on the Covid related situation in the State. Informed sources in the Central Government said that Mr. Modi took stock of the situation of health related facilities and vaccination in Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister spoke to the Chief Ministers of Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim on the Covid related situation in these States yesterday.
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In Tamil Nadu, the State Government has imposed full lockdown measures from the 10th to the 24th of this month. Chief Minister M.K.Stalin announced the lock down measures after holding a review meeting with the District Collectors yesterday. It is worth to recall that the State reported more than 26 thousand cases yesterday with death toll nearing 200.
“According to the new lock down measures,from Monday district borders will be closed for transports in the State. Passengers from other Countries and State by air and rail have to e-register themselves in the State Government website. Essential shops selling groceries, vegetable, fish and meat will be allowed to function till 12 noon. TASMAC liquor outlets will be closed. Take away services in hotels and restaurants will be allowed to function with no air condition facilities and upto 50 percent customers. Retail shops in wholesale vegetable market at Koyambedu and wholesale markets in districts will be closed. Essential departments at the State Secretariat will function and others will remain closed. Places of worship, Tourist places, beaches, historical monuments, zoos and museums will remain closed. Educational institutions and summer camps in their campuses, sports training academies will remain closed. Courier, health, ambulance, freight services of essential commodities , Amma canteens will be allowed to function. Joy, AIR News,Chennai.”
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In Maharashtra, the Navi Mumbai municipal corporation (NMMC) has started the drive-in vaccination in the malls of the towns of NMMC.
“The unique concept of drive-in vaccination caters to people above 45 years of age, senior citizens and divyaangs in Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. The basic objective of the NMMC which has come up with this concept is to facilitate hassle free vaccination of senior citizens and divyaangs. The first drive-in vaccination began at the Grand Central Mall at Seawood-Nerul and at Vashi’s In-Orbit mall on the fifth of this month. A token number was issued to the people who came in their vehicles to take the jabs. Their Aadhaar card number was checked and thereafter they were given shots of vaccine against Covid-19. After being inoculated the beneficiaries were observed by the personnel from the health department for thirty minutes. This apart, people who faced any side-effects from the vaccine were asked to honk to the health department staff. On day one when the drive-in vaccination began a total of 146 people were given jabs at both the malls which rose to 200 on the following day. With Swapna Haralkar from Navi Mumbai, this is Kunal Shinde, AIR NEWS, Mumbai.”
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In Maharashtra, a Task Force of family doctors will be set up to curb the spread of coronavirus in rural areas. Addressing a press conference at Ratnagiri, MP Vinayak Raut said that this project will be implemented under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
“The state task force of family doctors will coordinate directly with family doctors in rural areas to curb the spread of Covid-19. This force will reach out to family doctors spread across rural areas through video conferencing. MP Vinayak Raut said that the patients in rural areas are always in touch with their family doctor for minor ailments. Therefore, it will be helpful to curb the spread of Coronavirus in rural areas with the help of these doctors. He informed that four thousand doctors from Mumbai and suburbs have been contacted for this task force and about two thousand doctors from Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts will be contacted next week. Madhuri Pange, AIR News, Mumbai.”
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In Karnataka, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has issued directions to set up Ward Decentralised Triage and Emergency Response Committee for containment and management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee will have legislators, BBMP officials, Ward Committee members, Resident Welfare Association representatives, civil society members and disaster support organisations as its members.
“All the 198 Municipal wards in Bengaluru will have this Committee to take up Ward level planning, containment and management of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has an objective to strengthen disaster response at a local level and provide better supervision at the ward level. The Committee will support vaccination programme and testing protocols. It will also help in creating awareness on Covid appropriate behaviour. The Committee members will be asked to support hospitals engaged in testing, tracking and treatment of Covid positive patients. It will also the Government on the shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. The system is said to reduce the time taken to report Covid positive patients and their admission to the Covid hospitals. Sudhindra, AIR News, Bengaluru.”
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In view of COVID-19, the government has relaxed the provisions of Income-tax Act. Now, all hospitals, nursing units, dispensaries and COVID care centres will be able to accept cash over two lakh rupees from the patients. Talking to AIR News, economist Naveen Gupta said that the relaxation has been granted between 1st April to 31st May this year.
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The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has restored the facility for trade by providing option to submit an undertaking in lieu of bond upto 30th June. This has been done to ensure that there are no delays or disruptions in EXIM trade due to COVID-19 pandemic. Importers and Exporters availing this facility shall ensure that the undertaking furnished in lieu of bond is duly replaced with a proper bond by the 15th of July. Representations from trade had been received by the board citing difficulties faced in different regions of India due to resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic.
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Niti Aayog member Dr VK Paul has said that mucormycosis known as black fungus affects those people who are suffering from diabetes. Reacting to reports of mucormycosis or black fungus amongst the Covid-19 patients, he said, the infection affects only those who have a high blood sugar level. Dr Paul said, it is a fungus that breeds on wet surfaces and it is very uncommon to happen among patients who do not have diabetes. He asked the people to control their sugar level to prevent this disease. He said, overuse of steroids must be avoided as it can create ill effects. Dr. Paul said that there are several means to contain COVID-19.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Maharashtra’s efforts in the fight against Covid-19. During the telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the Prime Minister said that Maharashtra is fighting a good battle against the second wave of Coronavirus. The Chief Minister requested more oxygen for the state of Maharashtra. He also informed the Prime Minister about the plans to face the third wave of Covid-19 and thanked him for accepting some suggestions from Maharashtra.
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In Andhra Pradesh, many patients suffering from Covid-19 have started practicing PRANAYAMA, to have natural oxygen. As many as 850 patients staying in Patrunivalasa Covid Care Centre, at Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, have been practising yoga to improve their health under the supervision of yoga teachers.
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The Centre has increased the quota of vials of Remdesivir injections from 87 thousand eight hundred to one lakh fifty thousand to Bihar. The state has so far received 50 thousand vials in the last ten days while the remaining one lakh vials will be supplied by the 16 of this month.
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Delhi Police raided a restaurant in the Khan Market area of the national capital yesterday and recovered nine oxygen concentrators. These oxygen concentrators were to be sold in the black market at exorbitant prices. Delhi Police said the case has been transferred to Crime Branch and efforts are on to trace further links.
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In Ladakh, the recovery rate of Covid infection has improved to 90 percent. The number of recovered patients outnumbered the new cases. This is much above the national average of recovery. Several measures including short period covid curfew are being implemented to contain the spread of virus in the UT. Leh district is under 80-hours of lockdown since Thursday night from 9 pm till Monday morning 5 am.
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National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) is undertaking large scale covid vaccination drives for employees of the Ministry of Power and various PSUs and organizations under the Ministry in the Delhi NCR region. The vaccination drive is being carried out for the safety of power sector personnel so that uninterrupted power supply on a 24×7 basis is ensured. NHPC organized a vaccination drive at IREDA, New Delhi yesterday in association with Apollo Hospitals. A total of 117 employees aged between 18 and 44 years received their first dosage of Covishield vaccine during the drive. The vaccination drive has been extended till today to enable vaccinations of more employees.
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The Government has ensured that global aid is being effectively and promptly allocated and delivered to States and Union Territories to strengthen their efforts to tackle COVID-19. According to the Health Ministry, a total of 2,933 Oxygen Concentrators, 2,429 Oxygen Cylinders, 13 Oxygen Generation Plants, 2,951 ventilators/ Bi PAP/ C PAP and more than 3 lakh Remdesivir vials have been delivered so far.
The Global Community has been extending a helping hand in supporting efforts of India to meet the challenges and requirements of the unprecedented surge in the number of COVID19 cases during the second wave.
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An IAF aircraft carrying 3 oxygen generators and 360 oxygen concentrators arrived from Israel last night. Each generator has the capacity to meet the oxygen needs of a 120 bed hospital. India said it deeply values this support from Israel and this will boost the country’s oxygen capacities.
India has also expressed gratefulness to US biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences for the gift of another 25,600 vials of Remdesivir that arrived in Mumbai this morning. Earlier, Gilead Sciences had donated over 1.5 lakh vials of Remdesivir. India has also expressed appreciation for the gift of 200 oxygen cylinders and 10 oxygen concentrators from ASEAN partner Thailand that arrived today. The Indian community in Thailand has donated another 100 oxygen cylinders and 60 oxygen concentrators.
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In Madhya Pradesh, there has been a decrease in infections due to Corona curfew and prohibitions. Less than 100 cases were reported in 18 out of 52 districts yesterday.
“As per health department bulletin, 11 thousand 708 new cases of corona were reported in the state yesterday, while 4815 patients recovered from the infection. More than 200 new cases were found in 14 out of 52 districts of the state, while less than 100 new patients were found in 18 districts. On the other hand, in a major decision, the state government has extended the last date for purchasing crop on MSP till 25 May, the last date for repaying the loan has also been extended till 31 May. Rashid Ahmad Khan from Bhopal.”
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In Chhattisgarh, constant efforts are being made to increase health facilities to provide better treatment to the Covid-19 patients.
“In a unique effort in the Balodabazar district of Chhattisgarh, the warehouse of Agricultural Mandi has been converted to Covid Care Hospital. The district administration has set up this 500-bed hospital in just twenty days. It also has 120 oxygenated beds. To provide desired information to Covid patients and their family members, a free helpline service dial 104 is also in operation. People can get information like availability of beds in hospitals, ambulance service, and home isolation guidelines. Apart from this, co-ordination centers are being set up at the state level as well as district level to take the help of NGOs and other social organizations to deal with Covid crises in the state. Vikalp Shukla, AIR News, Raipur.”
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Odisha government has made adequate arrangements for uninterrupted supply of oxygen to hospitals in the state. While health institutions in every district in the state have been tagged to one or more oxygen refilling centres, the government yesterday directed the collectors to increase the frequency and number of vehicles used to refill oxygen cylinders so as to ensure its seamless supply.
“While Odisha has been supplying medical oxygen to other states for Covid-19 patients, the state government has also ensured that the hospitals back home are kept oxygen-ready, particularly in view of the increasing number of infected cases. On the other hand, the state has also managed to keep the vaccine wastage rate at -2.20 per cent by prudently using the extra dose in each vial as wastage. Meanwhile the state is now battling with an incremental active caseload of Covid-19 patients, that now has reached almost 87 thousand. Girish Chandra Dash, AIR News, Bhubaneswar.”
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Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that the Central Vista project will be ready in time to host the Republic Day Parade in the 75th year of Indian independence. In a series of tweets today, Mr. Puri said, it will have more public space with refurbished lawns, paved walkways along Rajpath, improved landscape, clean canals and adequate public amenities. He urged the public not to believe in fake photos and canards about work at Central Vista Avenue.
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Government has procured 49 per cent more Wheat during the ongoing Rabi Season compared to the corresponding period last year. So far over 323 Lakh Metric Tonnes of wheat has been procured against the last year corresponding purchase of around 216 Lakh Metric Tonnes. Nearly 32.21 Lakh farmers have already benefitted from the ongoing procurement operations with MSP value of over 63 thousand 924 crore rupees. Paddy procurement in the ongoing season is continuing smoothly in the procuring States. So far over 727 Lakh Metric Tonnes paddy have been procured against the last year corresponding purchase of around 671 Lakh Metric Tonnes. About 109 lakh farmers have already benefitted from the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season procurement Operations with MSP value of over one lakh 37 thousand crore rupees.
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BJP Central leaders are holding a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Senior Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to discuss the leadership issue in the new government. The meeting is being held at the residence of party president J P Nadda in the national capital. Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP General Secretary B L Santosh are also attending the meeting. In the recently held assembly elections in Assam, the BJP has registered a decisive victory, but the party is yet to take a decision on who will be the Chief Minister in the new government.
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Trinamool Congress MLA Biman Bandopadhyay has been elected as the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly today. He has been elected for the third consecutive term. In the first session of the new house today, Mr Bandopadhyay was unanimously elected by voice votes. BJP MLAs did not attend the session as the party decided to boycott Speaker’s election as well as assembly sessions until post poll violence is stopped in the state.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated that instructions have been issued to lodge FIR wherever incidents of violence are reported and asked all the MLAs to be attentive in their respective constituencies.
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The United States will join a New Zealand-led global campaign to stamp out violent extremism online, making a policy change two years after the administration of former president Donald Trump declined to participate. Biden administration spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement yesterday that, the US would join the Christchurch Call to Action to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online.
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A state of emergency has been extended in several regions of Japan as Covid-19 cases surge, less than three months before the Tokyo Olympics. Restrictions in Tokyo, Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto had been due to end on the 11th of May, but will now remain in place until the end of the month.
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Indian wrestler Seema Bisla has secured a Tokyo Olympics berth in women’s 50kg after reaching the finals of the World Olympic Qualifier at Sofia in Bulgaria yesterday. Seema becomes the fourth woman and eighth overall wrestler to qualify for the quadrennial event. With this, India equals its previous best qualification of eight wrestlers from the 2016 Olympics. Seema joins the elite company of Ravi Kumar Dahiya (57kg), Sumit Malik, (125kg) Bajrang Punia (65kg) and Deepak Punia (86kg) in men’s freestyle and Vinesh Phogat (53kg), Anshu Malik (57kg) and Sonam Malik (62kg) in women weights for those who have qualified for the Olympics.
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Weather Report and Forecast for today.
The National Capital Delhi is having a mainly clear sky. The maximum temperature will be around 39 degree Celsius. The minimum was 24 degrees.
Mumbai with partly cloudy sky will see a maximum temperature of around 35 degrees Celsius, rising from a lower level of 27 degrees.
Kolkata is having a partly cloudy sky. The city temperature will move from 25 degree Celsius to around 36 degrees.
Chennai is witnessing a partly cloudy sky. The upper limit of temperature will be 35 degree Celsius while the lower limit was 28 degrees.
Srinagar is facing thunderstorm with rain. The temperature will hover between 11 and 24 degree Celsius.
Jammu is having partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm or Duststorm. The temperature will rise from a minimum of 21 degree Celsius to a maximum of around 34 degrees.
Leh is witnessing generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle and the upper limit of temperature will be around 20 rising from minimum of six degree Celsius.
Gilgit is having a partly cloudy sky. The temperature will move from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 30 degree Celsius.
In Muzaffarabad, the sky is sunny. The temperature will increase from 11 degree Celsius to around 23 degrees.
Dehradun is experiencing a partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm or duststorm. The upper limit of temperature will be around 34 degrees rising from a minimum of 17 degrees.
In Chandigarh, the sky is clear. The temperature likely to rise up to 36 degree Celsius from 23 degrees.
In Hyderabad Rain or thundershowers would occur towards evening or night. The temperatures will fluctuate between 26 to 36 degree Celsius.
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