A Maharashtra Congress leader on Saturday said constituents of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi dispensation should stop commenting on the Congress leadership if they want a "stable" government in the state.

State Congress working president and Women and Child Minister Yashomati Thakur's remarks came a day after NCP chief Sharad Pawar's reported comments on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

"Everybody should followthe basic rules of coalition. Being a working president of MPCC, I must appeal to colleagues of MVA that if you want stable government in Maharashtra then stop commenting on leadership of Congress (sic)," Thakur tweeted.

"Our leadership is very strong and stable. Formation of MVA is a result of our strong belief in democratic values," she added.

The Sena, NCP and Congress are partners in the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government. They had joined hands after the Assembly elections held last year.

In an interview given to a Marathi daily, Pawar had reportedly said Rahul Gandhi appeared to lack consistency. 

"There are some questions here....There seems to be less consistency," he had said. -- PTI 

 

Farmers' group went on a 'maun vrat' (vow of silence) during their fifth round of talks with the government and sought a reply in 'yes' or 'no' on their key demand of repealing the three new farm laws, union leaders said.

   

As their meeting with three union ministers, including Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, continued for nearly four hours, farmer leaders told the government to reply in "black and white" that whether it will repeal the laws or not.

 

"Farmer union leaders are sitting on a 'maun vrat'," Punjab Kisan Union leader Ruldhu Singh said.

 

Kavitha Kuruganti of AIKSCC (All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee) said the government was not responding to the pinpointed question of farmer leaders.

 

Gurlabh Singh Mahal, legal advisor to Punjab Kisan Union, also said the farmer leaders wanted the government to answer in 'Yes or No'. 

 

Some farmer leaders present in the meeting were seen putting finger on their lips and holding a paper written 'Yes or No' on that.

 

"All members of delegation have decided to keep silent. The government side is trying to draw us out. But there is utter silence from our side," Kuruganti said. -- PTI

Seeking to break the deadlock over protests against new farm laws, the government on Saturday told representatives of agitating farmers that their concerns are being looked into but the union leaders stuck to their demand for repeal of the legislations and threatened to walk out of the talks.

The government side, however, managed to convince the farmer leaders to continue the talks, which began at 2.30 PM earlier in the day.

 

This is the fifth round of talks between the government and representatives of farmers, thousands of whom are protesting at various borders of the national capital against what they claim are the laws meant to end the mandi system and minimum support price procurement system to give for benefits of corporates.

 

As the meeting resumed after a tea break in the evening, during which the farmer leaders had their own food and tea, they threatened to walk out if the government was not willing to scrap the the three laws enacted in September.

 

While the government managed to convince them to continue with the talks, sources said some kind of division emerged among the participating farmer leaders on various issues proposed by the ministers.

 Another source said the government also offered to take back cases filed against farmers for stubble burning, as also the cases filed against some farmer activists.

 

Later in the evening, the ministers began talking to smaller groups of 3-4 farmer leaders, out of the total 40 representatives present there.

Several former sportspersons from Punjab including Padma Shri and Arjuna awardees left for Delhi on Saturday to return their awards in support of the farmers' protest against the Centre's three agriculture reform laws.

 

They will join the farmers camping at the national capital's Singhu border on Saturday before returning their awards to the president the next day.

Farmers from Punjab and Haryana have been camping at five Delhi gateways for the past nine days to press their demand for a repeal of the recently enacted farm laws.

"We have left for Delhi today and will join the farmers' protest," said former wrestler Kartar Singh, who is a Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee.

"Many former players like Sajjan Singh Cheema who could not join us because of health or other issues have given their sports awards to us," he said.

The sportspersons said they have sought time from President Ram Nath Kovind to return the awards.

"If are not allotted a time to meet the president, we will place our awards outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday," said former hockey player Rajbir Kaur.

Other former sportspersons who are headed to the national capital are Dhyan Chand awardee hockey Olympian Gurmail Singh, Arjuna awardee Kabaddi player Hardeep Singh, and Arjuna awardee weightlifter Tara Singh.

On Friday, former national boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu, during whose tenure India won its maiden Olympic medal in the sport, Padma Shri boxer Kaur Singh and Arjuna awardee boxer Jaipal Singh had announced that they would return their awards.

Enacted in September, the three farm laws are anticipated to bring "reforms" in the agriculture sector by removing middlemen and allowing farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country.

Farmers worry these laws will eliminate the safety net of the minimum support price and do away with mandis that ensure earning. But the government says the MSP system will continue and the new laws will give farmers more options to sell their crop.

The government is holding talks with farmers, who have called for a 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 and threatened to occupy toll plazas. -- PTI 

Mumbai's coronavirus test positivity rate has fallen to five per cent for the first time since March, municipal commissioner I S chahal said on Saturday.

When the virus outbreak began, this rate was 35 to 36 per cent (which means 35 to 36 per cent of tested samples were positive for the infection), he said in a statement.

"COVID test positivity for the last ten days looks promising but we should not be complacent and should not lower our guard," the commissioner warned.

On December 4, as many as 16,394 tests were conducted in the city, of which 825 or 5.03 per cent came out positive, he said.

The test positivity rate was 6.69 per cent on November 25, the commissioner noted.

Of 16,394 tests conducted on Friday, 8,867 were RTPCR and 7,527 Antigen. As many as 684 RTPCR tests and 141 Antigen tests were positive.

The financial capital of the country has been reporting less than 1,000 cases for the last six days. -- PTI

In a statement, the group's management said, 'Sadly, just as the pandemic, lockdown and unprecedented economic crisis have laid low many great ideas and initiatives before they could fully take root, they came as a body blow for the still-young brand. Not only has the newspaper industry been among the hardest-hit in terms of revenues, it has been weighed down by an import duty that has added to newsprint costs. 

'With the long-held hope of a stimulus not materializing and the Indian economy now officially in recession, it is with a heavy heart that the group has decided to cease publication of Mirror in Pune and relaunch Mumbai Mirror as a weekly. They will, however, continue to have a strong digital presence.' 

'Following months of discussions and deliberations, we have made this extremely difficult and painful decision to recalibrate our portfolio of publications. We truly value the contribution of our journalists and other staff towards building such a strong brand in a relatively short time, and thank them for their hard work and great effort.'

Seeking to break the deadlock over protests against new farm laws, the government on Saturday told representatives of agitating farmers that they are ready to address all their concerns with an open mind, sources said.

 

At the beginning of the fifth round of talks in New Delhi at Vigyan Bhawan, Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar told a group of 40 representatives of various farmer unions that the government is committed to cordial talks and welcomed all positive feedback on the new farm laws, sources said.

 

Later, minister of state for commerce Som Parkash, an MP from Punjab, addressed the leaders in Punjabi and said the government understands the sentiments of Punjab.

"We are ready to address all your concerns with an open mind," a source quoted Parkash as telling the union leaders.

 

The talks between the government and the protesting unions began around 2.30 pm and was also attended by railway, commerce and food minister Piyush Goyal.

 

In his opening remarks, Tomar, who is leading the talks for the Centre, said the government is committed to "peaceful talks with farmers' leaders and does not intend to hurt farmers' sentiments".

 

The agriculture minister welcomed feedback on the three farm laws, while agriculture secretary Sanjay Agarwal summarised the proceedings of the previous four rounds of talks with farmer unions during the meeting, sources said.

 

The two sides are believed to have discussed contentious issues like provision of dispute resolution and registration of traders in proposed private mandis under the new laws.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for new Parliament building and will perform 'Bhoomi Pujan' on December 10.

"On December 10, the prime minister will perform Bhumi Pujan for the new state-of-the-art Parliament building," Lok Sabha Speaker Birla told ANI.

Last week, Birla along with officials had taken a round of the building to assess the site for foundation laying ceremony.

"It was to formally invite PM Narendra Modi for foundation laying ceremony and 'Bhumi Pujan' of the new Parliament that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla went to meet the Prime Minister," said a senior official.

The construction will begin this month in which the Lok Sabha chamber will have seating capacity for 888 members against present strength of 543 members whereas Rajya Sabha chamber will be able to accommodate 384 seats against current strength of 245 members.

The maximum capacity for Lok Sabha chamber is expected to be of 1272 seats for joint sittings.

Secretary-general Utpal Kumar Singh while taking charge of his new office informed that the agencies will try and finish the construction within less than two years so that 75th year of Indian independence can be commemorated in the new Parliament.

The proposed built-up area of the new building is estimated to be 64500 square metres. 

HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited has won the contract of building new Central vista and Parliament building that will have four floors with separate access for President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Rajya Sabha chairperson, Members of Parliament and public.

With construction expected to start this month and Parliament session expected next month, the secretariat stated that all measures have been taken after consultations with agencies to ensure there would be no air or noise pollution.

The new building will be equipped with digital interfaces to create a paperless office.

Apart from the offices of MPs and ministries, the new building will have a Constitution hall to showcase the original Constitution. 

The officials inform that big statues that adorn the space between house and entry of Parliament will also get relocated as per the design. -- ANI

The Congress said on Saturday it's too early to make an assessment on the likely impact of Rajinikanth's party in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, citing lack of clarity on ideology, programme and electoral roadmap of the proposed outfit.

     

The party's in-charge of Tamil Nadu affairs, Dinesh Gundu Rao also claimed that "many of the BJP people" are associated with the Tamil superstar now.

     

He said Rajinikanth's party is not yet registered, his proposed outfit's ideology and programme are not known and there is no clarity on whether it will fight next year's assembly polls in Tamil Nadu independently or strike an

electoral alliance.

     

"Once that clarity comes, we will be able to assess (the possible political impact of the party); right now, it's too early to say", the former Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President said.

     

"What is his party structure, what exactly he is going to do, no body knows", the Karnataka MLA and a former State Minister said.

     

"Till then, how can we judge anything?"

     

"Is he going to be with the BJP... what he wants to do... that all has to be seen", the son former chief minister late R Gundu Rao added.

     

Rajinikanth announced on Thursday he would launch a political party in January 2021 to contest in the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. -- PTI

After Haryana minister Anil Vij -- who took a trial dose of Covid vaccine, Covaxin, a fortnight ago -- tested positive for coronavirus, the vaccine developer on Saturday said it that the clinical trials are based on a 2-dose schedule, given 28 days apart, and vaccine efficacy will be determined 14 days after the second dose.

"COVAXIN clinical trials are based on a two-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined 14 days after the second dose. COVAXIN has been designed to be efficacious when subjects receive both the doses," Bharat Biotech, which is developing the vaccine in collaboration with ICMR, said in a statement.

Vij tweeted that he has tested positive for the coronavirus and is admitted to Civil Hospital in Ambala.

"I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted to Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact with me are advised to get themselves tested for corona," the Minister tweeted.

Bharat Biotech added the Phase-III trials are double-blinded and randomised, where 50 per cent of subjects will receive the vaccine and 50 per cent will receive placebo.

"As per CDSCO-DCGI guidelines for reporting adverse events, patients are required to contact the site Principle Investigator (PI) during active follow up, or when the PI determines the severity of the adverse effect; then the reports are submitted to site Ethics Committees, CDSCO-DCGI, Data Safety Monitoring Board and the sponsor," the pharma giant said.

The fifth round talks between the government and agitating farmer unions over the new agri laws has begun.

Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, railway minister Piyush Goyal are present in the meeting alongwith farmers' representatives.

Before the crucial meet, Union ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliberate over proposals likely to be made to the agitating groups.

A key route connecting Noida and Delhi was completely closed on Saturday as farmers opposing the Centre's new farm laws intensified their stir at the border.

 

The Delhi-Noida Link Road via Chilla border had one carriageway (Delhi to Noida) open until Saturday morning, however, the protesters blocked it at around 11 am.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ganesh Saha said, "The closure of the route is not official and we are assessing the situation."  

The district traffic police had earlier advised commuters to opt for the Delhi-Noida Direct expressway or Kalindi Kunj routes instead of the Chilla border to travel to and fro Delhi.

Farmers from western Uttar Pradesh districts like Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Firozabad, Kasganj, Gautam Buddh Nagar and belonging to groups like Bharatiya Kisan Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Bhanu) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lok Shakti) are protesting at the border here.  

 

Thousands of farmers are currently staying put at Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in protest against the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.  

They have expressed apprehension that these laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporations.  

 

However, the government has maintained that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture. -- PTI  

Ahead of the crucial meeting with the government, farmers' representatives have refused to accept government's offer to amend the new farm laws.

"We want the withdrawal of the laws. We won't accept government's offer to amend the laws," says Harsulinder Singh of Doaba Kisan Sangharsh Committee.

According to some reports, the government may amend the new farm laws to end the deadlock.

India's total COVID-19 active caseload dropped to 4,09,689 on Saturday, the lowest in 136 days, according to the Union health ministry. 

 

India's present active caseload comprises 4.26 per cent of the total positive cases, and new recoveries have led to a net decline of 6,393 in the total active cases, the ministry said in a statement.

"India's total active caseload has dropped below 4.10 lakh (4,09,689) today. This is the lowest after 136 days. The total active cases were 4,11,133, on July 22," it said.

The ministry said that for the past eight days, the daily new recoveries recorded in the country have been more than the daily cases. 

"The number of daily new cases in the last 24 hours is 36,652. 42,533 cases recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours," it said.

"The rising recoveries have also improved the recovery rate to 94.28 per cent today. The total recovered cases stand at 9,058,822. The gap between recovered cases and active cases is nearing 86.50 lakh and presently, stands at 8,649,133," the ministry said.

It said that 78.06 per cent of the new recovered cases were reported from 10 states and union territories -- Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.

India's COVID-19 caseload rose to 96.08 lakh with 36,652 new cases in a day, while 90,58,822 people have recuperated from the disease so far pushing the national recovery rate to 94.28 per cent on Saturday, according to the Union health ministry data.

The total coronavirus cases mounted to 96,08,211 and the death toll climbed to 1,39,700 with the coronavirus claiming 512 lives in a span of 24 hours in the country, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The COVID-19 case fatality rate was recorded at 1.45 per cent. -- PTI 

Only repealing of the new farm laws will end the stalemate, an All India Kisan Sabha official said on Saturday, ahead of the fifth-round of talks between the government and protesting farmer organisations over the legislations.

 

The fourth round, which was held on Thursday, failed to end the standoff, with protesting farmers sticking to their demand of scrapping the laws.

"There is no doubt in our minds that only repeal of the laws will end the agitation. We will not budge. We want the government to take their proposals to the Parliament and let a Parliamentary committee discuss the issues. We will not agree to anything short of repeal of the laws," AIKS finance secretary Krishna Prasad said.

Undeterred by the winter chill, thousands of farmers have stayed put at various border points of Delhi for the past nine days as part of their protest against the Centre's farm laws.

 

"At this juncture, we have transport unions, retail businesses and other associated groups who have shown solidarity with us. Our movement is not just about farmers," Prasad said.

He claimed that these laws seek to allow foreign intervention in agriculture and said this will allow corporates to monopolise the farm sector.

AIKS also demanded that the government unconditionally withdraw cases filed across India on protesting farmers. 

"AIKS strongly condemns the cowardly effort by the Modi Govt to use the Delhi Police in a bid to intimidate leaders, activists protesting against the Anti-Farmer Acts," the farmer union tweeted from its official handle. -- PTI 

Haryana health minister Anil Vij tweeted on Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted to a hospital.

 

Vij (67), who is also the state's home minister, urged all those who had come in contact with him recently to get tested.

"I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona (sic)," he tweeted.

On November 20, Vij was administered a trial dose of a coronavirus vaccine as part of the third phase trial of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. 

He had earlier announced on Twitter that he will be the first volunteer in his state for the anti-Covid vaccine.

Delhi's air quality turned "severe" on Saturday with slow wind speed allowing the accumulation of "locally generated" pollutants, according to India Meteorological Department officials.

 

However, it is expected to improve by Monday as the wind speed is likely to pick up.

At 10 am, the city's air quality index (AQI) was 401, which falls in the "severe" category.

The 24-hour average AQI was 382 on Friday, 341 on Thursday, 373 on Wednesday, 367 on Tuesday, 318 on Monday and 268 on Sunday.

Air pollution in the neighbouring cities of Ghaziabad (AQI 446), Greater Noida (401) and Noida (406) also entered the "severe" zone.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

The wind speed remained slow allowing the accumulation of pollutants generated locally, V K Soni, head of the IMD's environment research centre said.

"Easterly winds carrying moisture also led to the formation of secondary particulate matter. All these factors together pushed the air quality in the 'severe' zone," he said.

However, Soni said, the air quality is likely to improve to the "poor" category by Monday as the wind speed is expected to pick up.

According to the IMD, the maximum wind speed is likely to be 8 kmph on Saturday, 10 kmph on Sunday and 15 kmph on Monday.

The minimum temperature in Delhi was 11 degrees Celsius on Saturday and the maximum is expected to settle around 28 degrees Celsius, the weather department said.

However, the minimum temperature is likely to dip again with the wind direction changing to northwesterly by Monday, according to IMD officials.

Westerly and northwesterly winds blow from snow-laden western Himalayas towards the plains.

Shallow to moderate fog is also predicted over the next two days, the IMD said. -- PTI

Eighteen of the 23 workers were killed in a coal mine in China  due to an excessive level of carbon monoxide, local officials said on Saturday.

The accident happened at around 5 pm on Friday at the Diaoshuidong coal mine in the district of Yongchuan in Chongqing Municipality, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Eighteen miners were confirmed dead due to excessive level of carbon monoxide, it said.

Rescuers, including police officers and firefighters, are trying to reach the trapped miners.

The cause of the accident is under further investigation, the report said.

The Diaoshuidong coal mine, which was established in 1975 and became privately-owned in 1998, has an annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes of coal, according to the local emergency management department.

Hydrogen sulfide poisoning in the mine left three dead and two injured in March 2013, Xinhua report said.   -- PTI

Ahead of the fifth round of meeting with agitating farmers, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Narendra Singh Tomar reach PM Narendra Modi's residence in New Delhi.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal also reaches the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi.

More details awaited.  -- ANI

JUST IN: With 36,652 new COVID-19 infections, India's total cases rise to 96,08,211.

With 512 new deaths, toll mounts to 1,39,700.

Total active cases at 4,09,689. Total discharged cases at 90,58,822 with 42,533 new discharges in the last 24 hours.   -- ANI

Amid farmers' agitation in Punjab against the three recently enacted farm Acts, Western Railway on Friday said it had to divert a few trains and short terminate and accordingly short originate some others.

Bandra Terminus-Amritsar Special train, whose journey commences on December 5, will be short terminated at Chandigarh and remain partially cancelled between Chandigarh and Amritsar.

Consequently, Amritsar-Bandra Terminus Special train will short originate from Chandigarh on December 7 and will remain partially cancelled between Amritsar and Chandigarh.

The Railways has diverted 02904 Amritsar-Mumbai Central Special train, whose journey commenced on December 4, via Amritsar-Tarn Taran-Beas instead of Amritsar-Jandiala-Beas.

The farmers have been protesting against The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 since they were enforced in September.   -- ANI

Delhi minister Satyendar Jain on Friday visited the Singhu border, a site of the ongoing farmers' agitation, and said the Aam Aadmi Party is available to serve the agriculturists at all times.

'The farmers are the backbone of our nation. If standing with the farmers is politics, then everyone should be involved in this revolution,' he said.

'Instructions have been issued to make more arrangements for fire and water proof tents,' Jain was quoted as saying in a statement.

It said Jain visited the Singhu border which is witnessing the ongoing farmers' agitation in solidarity with the protesters and also to review the amenities made available for them by Delhi government during their peaceful revolution.

He said health camps, ambulances, water supply are being provided to the farmers.

The minister also alleged that the Punjab chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party were 'working in unison to harass the farmers', and that if they wanted, a solution could have been devised at the earliest.

'We have set up health camp, ambulances, 24-hour water supply. Delhi government is providing full support to the farmers.

'I want to say that the farmers are the backbone of the nation and they have been forced to travel for kilometres,' he said.

'Capt Amarinder Singh came to Delhi, met with Union minister Amit Shah and went back. He did not come to meet the farmers who are protesting in Delhi's cold. Capt Singh staged an act to nullify the bills, when in reality, he didn't at all,' Jain alleged.

On the amenities provided by the Delhi government, Jain said, 'We have provided for more than 300 toilets, 40 tanks of water, and ambulances and health teams are also available. The only problem we are facing is that toilets across the barricades are not seeing water supply since yesterday.'

He said he will appeal to the police to allow provision of water in the toilets, adding that instructions have been issued to make arrangements for providing fire and water proof tents.   -- PTI

The fifth round of talks between the central government and farmers is scheduled to be held today.

A large number of farmers have gathered in and around Delhi to protest against the three farm laws.

On Thursday, the farmers held the fourth round of talks with the Centre and said the government had talked of some amendments to farm laws.

In the fourth round of the meeting, farmer leaders suggested the government to hold a special session of the Parliament and sought the abolition of the three farm laws.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had said after the talks that the government has no ego and it was discussing the issues raised by farmers with an open mind.

"The government will discuss points that emerged at the meeting on Friday and hopes that talks will move towards finality when the next round of discussions are held on Saturday," the minister had said.

He reached out to protesting farmers over their demands, saying MSP will not be touched, the government was open to their suggestions for parity between mandis under APMC Act and that outside, for disputes under the new farm laws being adjudged in courts and for registration of traders.

Talking to media persons after the fourth round of talks between the government and representatives of protesting farmers, he said the government has no ego and it was discussing the issues raised by farmers with an open mind.

Previously on December 1, during a round of talks with the union agriculture minister and other leaders, the farmers had refused the tea invitation from the government stating that they had come to demand their right from the government and not to drink tea.

The farmers are protesting against the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. -- ANI