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Wed, 16 September 2020
Why play victim card on & on: Urmila to Kangana
Timeline Refresh
23:41 75 army personnel killed in ceasefire violations by Pak since 2014
Seventy-five Indian Army personnel were killed in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014, the government said on Wednesday.
Replying to a question on death of Army personnel during conflicts with neighbouring countries, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik also mentioned killing of 20 soldiers while guarding the Line of Actual Control, in a reference to the Galwan Valley clash.
India lost the 20 soldiers in the clash on June 15 triggering a massive escalation in tension with China in eastern Ladakh.
Overall, Naik put the figure of total "battle casualties" (fatal) at 738 between 2014 and September 14 this year.
The maximum of 137 "battle casualties" was reported in 2017 while the figure was 133 in 2016.
To a separate question, Naik said 901 Indian Army personnel committed suicide between 2010 and 2019. The figure in the IAF for the period was 182 and it was 40 in the Indian Navy.
He said the Defence Institute of Psychological Research, after conducting a number of studies, listed domestic and personal problems, marital discord, stress and financial problems as major causes of suicide by armed forces personnel.
-- PTI
23:15 Why play victim card on & on: Urmila to Kangana
Kangana Ranaut should come out with all her issues once and for all, instead of going on and on, said actor Urmila Matondkar on Wednesday.
She said if Kangana Ranaut has issues with the film industry, she should come out with it, find a solution and clean the dirt in the film industry.
Urmila Matondkar was speaking to India Today TV's Executive Editor Rajdeep Sardesai for an exclusive interview on the issues and allegations that Kangana Ranaut has been levelling off late.
"You have to decide do you want to constantly play the victim card non-stopsay main toh victim hun, victim hun, victim hun," Urmila asked.
"Everything that you have got today, the name, the fame and the money is all thanks to Mumbai and the film industry. Why is it that you have not spoken in the last so many years and are speaking about all this only in the last couple of months? The timing seems funny. Everything seems going a bit berserk," she said.
22:50 Jaya Bachchan is doing politics over Ravi Kishan's drug claim, says Jaya Prada
Actor-turned-BJP leader Jaya Prada on Wednesday slammed Samajwadi party MP Jaya Bachchan for her rousing speech in Parliament for which she has earned praises from several Bollywood personalities.
In an attempt to exonerate the film industry from the onslaught of attacks, Jaya Bachchan on Tuesday said the image of the industry cant be tarnished because of a few people. They are biting the hand that feeds them, the actor-politician said, a day after Bhojpuri actor-turned-BJP MP Ravi Kishan raised the issue of drug addiction problem in Bollywood.
Extending her support to Ravi Kishan, Jaya Prada, who was defeated by SPs Azam Khan on Rampur Lok Sabha seat, said, I completely support Ravi Kishan jis remarks about saving youth from the problem of drug trafficking/addiction. We need to raise our voice against the use of drugs & we need to save our youth. I think Jaya Bachchan ji is doing politics over the issue.
On Monday, Ravi Kishan raised the drug addiction issue in the Lok Sabha, which Bachchan termed as a tactic to divert attention from graver issued like unemployment and economy. I think the government must stand by the entertainment industry because it always comes forward to help the government in whatever good work it takes up, Jaya Bachchan said.
On Wednesday, a day after Jaya Bachchan made her statement in Parliament, Mumbai Police provided security at Bachchan residence in Mumbai, Jalsa.
22:26 SAD asks Rajya Sabha MPs to oppose farm Bills
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Wednesday issued a whip to its members in the Rajya Sabha, asking them to oppose the Centre's farm-related legislations in the House.
It was issued by the party's chief whip Naresh Gujral.
They were directed to opposed the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020; Farmers' Produce, Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020; and Farmers' (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.
SAD chief and Ferozepur Lok Sabha MP Sukhbir Singh Badal too had on Tuesday voted against the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the lower house of Parliament.
The party has three members in the Rajya Sabha--Naresh Gujral, Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Dhindsa is now a rebel Akali leader.
-- PTI
22:02 35 armed forces personnel died of COVID-19: Govt
The coronavirus pandemic has killed 35 armed forces personnel and infected 19,839 of them, according to details provided by the government in the Lok Sabha.
Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said 32 Army personnel and three from the Indian Air Force died of COVID-19.
"The number of COVID-19 cases in Army, Navy and Air Force are 16,758, 1,365 and 1,716 respectively," he said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
All the three services have taken a series of measures to insulate their personnel from coronavirus infection, the minister said. The total number of coronavirus cases in India has crossed 50 lakh while the death toll has surpassed 82,000, according to official figures.
-- PTI
21:39 Nitin Gadkari tests positive for Covid-19
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has tested positive for coronavirus.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Yesterday, I was feeling weak and consulted my Doctor. During the course of my check up, I have been tested COVID 19 positive. I am at present doing well with the blessings and good wishes of all. I have isolated myself. I request everyone who has come in my contact to be careful and follow the protocol. Stay safe."
21:31 Maha COVID-19 cases cross 11 lakh; 474 die
Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally spiked to 11,21,221 on Wednesday with the single-day addition of 23,365 new cases, state health department said.
With 474 deaths during the day, the total count in the state mounted to 30,883, it said.
Mumbai city reported 2,378 cases in the day, taking its count to 1,75,974 while the cumulative death toll rose to 8,280, including 50 in the day.
The Mumbai division, which consists of Mumbai city and satellite towns, reported 5,603 new cases, raising the total count to 4,14,377.
A total of 14,378 people have died so far in the region, the official said.
-- PTI
21:05 382 doctors dead due to Covid: IMA
Reacting sharply to MoS Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey's statement that the Centre does not have data on health workers who died due to Covid-19, the Indian Medical Association has shot off a scathing letter to the government.
In the letter, the IMA has accused the government of being indifferent to the sacrifice of doctors and health care workers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"No nation has lost as many doctors and health care workers like India. To feign that this information doesnt merit the attention of the nation is abominable. If the government doesnt maintain the statistics of the total number of doctors and health care workers infected by Covid-19 and the statistics of how many of them sacrificed their life due to the pandemic, it loses the moral authority to administer the Epidemic Act 1897 and the Disaster Management Act," the IMA said in the letter.
Calling the government hypocrite, the IMA letter alleged that while on one hand, the government called health care workers corona warriors, on the other hand, it left the families of deceased doctors to fend for themselves.
The association has published a list of the doctors who died in the Covid-19 pandemic and has urged the government to provide support to the families of the deceased doctors.
"Their families and children deserve solace and solatium from the government," the IMA said in a press note issued on Wednesday.
The IMA has also recommended to the government to seek similar data from the representatives of nurses and other health care workers.
20:29 India's ties with China have not deteriorated: MoS MEA
"No", said Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in Lok Sabha in response to a written question on whether India's bilateral ties with neighbouring countries like Nepal, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Myanmar have deteriorated recently.
The question was asked by Trinamool Congress member Sougata Ray.
The minister's response that relations with China and five other countries have not deteriorated came at a time when Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a bitter standoff in eastern Ladakh.
Ray also asked two other supplementary questions: whether China is keeping good relations with any of the five countries mentioned, and the steps taken for cordial relations with neighbouring countries of India.
Answering these questions, Muraleedharan said the government accords the "highest priority" to India's relations with its neighbouring countries.
"India is an active political and economic partner of its neighbours and is involved in various projects, including development projects with these countries," Muraleedharan said.
He further said India also has extensive education, culture, trade and investment linkages with neighbouring countries.
"India's relations with other countries stand on their own footing and are independent of the relations of those countries with third countries," he said.
-- PTI
20:01 LS passes Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill
Lok Sabha passes Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said amendments to the banking regulation law seeking to extend the supervision of RBI to cooperative banks are aimed at improving their governance and protecting depositors' money.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said amendments to the banking regulation law seeking to extend the supervision of RBI to cooperative banks are aimed at improving their governance and protecting depositors' money. Moving the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the government was compelled to come out with an ordinance during the lockdown period as the condition of the cooperative banks was "grave".
Balli Durga Prasad
19:35 Tirupati MP Balli Durga Prasad of YSR Congress dies of Covid-19
Member of Parliament from Tirupati, Balli Durga Prasad of the YSR Congress, died of Covid-19 today. He was 64 years old.
He was undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital, Chennai.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has condoled Prasad's death.
19:19 Pre-Covid life won't return till '22: WHO expert
It might not be until 2022 when the world can begin thinking about returning to "pre-Covid" life, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chief science officer at the World Health Organization in Geneva, said.
"We're looking at 2022 at least before enough people start getting the vaccine to build immunity. So for a long time to come, we have to maintain the same kind of measures that are currently being put in place with physical distancing, the masking and respiratory hygiene," said Swaminathan, speaking to reporters during a virtual meeting hosted by the United Nations Foundation.
"Those will have to continue after the vaccine starts getting rolled out, because we need 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the population to have immunity before you will start seeing a dramatic reduction in transmission of this virus," Swaminathan said. "We also don't know how long these vaccines will protect for -- that's the other big question mark: How long does immunity last? And it's possible that you will need a booster."
Swaminathan added that health officials are currently looking to control the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, rather than eliminate it at this point.
Swaminathan added that she doesn't think the coronavirus will become a seasonal virus as time goes on, but instead we could expect to see "ups and downs" in cases and transmission.
19:09 Delhi records 4,473 new COVID-19 cases, highest single-day spike so far
Delhi recorded the highest single-day spike of 4,473 fresh coronavirus cases pushing the caseload to more than 2.30 lakh on Wednesday, authorities said.
As many as 62,593 tests were conducted the previous day, according to Delhi government's health bulletin.
The bulletin said that the death toll has risen to 4,839 with 33 fatalities. Four of the 33 fatalities are from the previous days.
The total number of cases stands at 2,30,269, of which 30,914 are active cases and 1,94,516 have recovered, migrated out of the city or discharged.
The positivity rate stands at 7.15 per cent while the case fatality rate is 2.1 per cent. The number of containment zones is 1,637, it said.
-- PTI
18:39 Rajnath to address RS tomorrow on China issue
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement on the India-China border issue in Rajya Sabha tomorrow at 12 noon, two days after addressing the Lok Sabha on it.
Singh had earlier told the House that the Indian Army has repeatedly foiled China's attempts to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control and that the Indian forces are fully geared and "prepared to deal with all contingencies".
18:27 Understand chronology: Rahul's latest jibe at govt over China
Rahul Gandhi may not be in the country as Parliament takes place but the Congress MP has continued his attacks on the Narendra Modi government over the India-China border stand-off.
Gandhi, who accompanied his mother Sonia Gandhi as she flew out last week for a medical check-up, tweeted: "Aap chronology samajhiye (Please understand the chronology)" and claimed that days before PM Modi said China had not crossed into Indian territory, the government "took a huge loan from a China-based bank".
The tweet doubled as a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah, who used the same phrase last year about the controversial CAA and NRC programmes.
"Aap chronology samajhiye (Please understand the chronology). PM said no one entered the border... Then took a huge loan from China-based bank... Then defence minister said China had encroached ... Now Minister of State for Home said no encroachment," Mr Gandhi tweeted.
"Is Modi government with Indian Army or China? Modiji, why so scared?" he asked.
17:55 Tatas to build new Parliament for Rs 861.9 cr
The new parliament building will be constructed by Tata Projects at a cost of Rs 861.90 crore.
The Tatas beat Larsen and Toubro, who had submitted a bid of ₹ 865 crore.
The Central Public Works Department opened the financial bids for the construction of a new parliament building today.
The project is likely to be completed in a year.
The government civic body had estimated a cost of Rs 940 crore.
The new building is said to be designed as a triangle.
17:32 Maharashtra to recruit 12,500 police personnel
The Maharashtra government has decided that 12,500 more police personnel will be recruited in the state police, State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, announces.
As many as 371 Maharashtra police personnel tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while eight succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, the Maharashtra police informed in a press statement on Tuesday.
So far, a total of 19,756 police officers have contracted the infection, out of which 202, including 20 officers, have died.
While 15,830 policemen have recovered from the infection, 3,724 at present are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the state.
A total of 17,066 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Maharashtra on Monday taking the total count of cases in the state to 10,77,374.
17:26 Govt calls all-party meet in RS
Government calls informal meeting of parties which have five or more members in Rajya Sabha. Issues that parties wanted to raise in the Business Advisory Committee will be taken up for discussion. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Thaawarchand Gehlot, Prahlad Joshi and V Muraleedharan, and Rajya Sabha MPs Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and T Siva present in the meeting.
17:19 Delhi police file 17,500-page riots chargesheet
The Delhi police have named 15 people in a chargesheet filed over the Delhi riots that raged through the capital city in February this year, leaving more than 50 people dead and property worth crores damaged.
The 17,500-page filing includes more than 2,600 pages detailing the charges against the accused and thousands of pages of annexures. Charges against the accused include those under the tough anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.Delhi Police Special Cell files charge sheet against 15 accused in riots case under sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, IPC and Arms Act.
The charge sheet filed today does not have names of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam as accused. As they were arrested a few days ago, their names will be in the supplementary charge sheet.
Evidence includes WhatsApp chats of February 24, the time when riots were taking place. Key conspirators were guiding foot soldiers. At least 25 WhatsApp groups were specially created for each site; police have identified each group and its role.
16:49 Geared up for full-fledged war along LAC: Army
Asserting that it is fully prepared to fight a full-fledged war even in winters in eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army on Wednesday said if China created conditions for war, they will face a better trained, better prepared, fully rested and psychologically hardened Indian troops.
In a statement, it said compared to physically and psychologically battle-hardened Indian troops, Chinese troops mostly are from urban areas and not used to hardships or prolonged deployment under field conditions.
The Army' Northern Command headquarters made these assertions reacting to China's official media Global Times reports that India's operational logistics is not geared up adequately and it will not be able to fight through winters effectively.
"This can best be attributed to ignorance. Indian Army is fully prepared and more than capable of fighting a full-fledged war even in winters in eastern Ladakh," a Northern Command spokesperson said.
"India is a peace-loving country and wishes to have good relations with its neighbours. India always prefers to resolve issues through dialogue. While talks are in progress to resolve the border issues with China in eastern Ladakh, at the military level it is well prepared for the prolonged stand-off," he said.
He said altitudes in Ladakh range from high to super-high altitude and there is a lot of snowfall up to 40 feet after November. Coupled with this, the temperature dipping down to minus 30 to 40 degree Celsius is a usual phenomenon. Wind chill factor makes matters even worse for the troops. The roads also get closed due to the snow. But despite all this, the most encouraging part for India is that the Indian soldiers have a huge experience of winter warfare and are psychologically tuned to operate at short notice, the spokesperson said.
While these facts are known to the world, he said, adding the operational logistics capabilities, however, are hardly known. Logistic capability relates to mobility, habitat and billeting, quality services for health, special rations, repair and recovery, heating systems, high-quality weapons, ammunition, quality clothing, and so on.
While much of these capabilities existed earlier and troops could simply plug and play, a lot has also been boosted since May this year when China showed first signs of aggression, he said.
The spokesperson said it is important to understand that the Army has the experience of Siachen, the highest battleground in the world, where conditions are much more demanding than the frontiers with China. Traditionally there were two routes for moving into Ladakh, that is through Zojila (Srinagar-Leh Highway) and Rohtang Passes (Manali-Leh). Recently India commissioned a third road from Darcha to Leh which is much shorter distance-wise and less prone to closure, he said.
The spokesperson said completion of Atal tunnel on the Rohtang route has force multiplied the logistic capacities. In addition, we have a large number of airbases with the help of which we can maintain the Army well. Modern snow clearing equipment has also been placed on these routes to keep them open beyond November, thus giving us more time for daily maintenance of the troops, he said. -- PTI
16:11 NEP backward looking document, says Kharge in RS
Terming the new National Education Policy as a "backward looking document", senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Wednesday that education should be based on principles of the Constitution and not on ancient cultural values. Raising the issue as a Zero Hour mention in Rajya Sabha, Kharge, who was recently elected to the upper house, said the entire NEP is a "backward looking document" that is looking 2000 years back instead of planning and preparing our children for the future.
"Therefore the values of moral education in schools and higher education should be based on the principles of the Constitution and not on ancient cultural values," he added.
The NEP-2020 is the first education policy of the 21st century, which was announced 34 years after the previous National Policy on Education in 1986. The NEP-2020 is directed towards major reforms at both the school and higher education level, the government has said Kharge noted that a provision in the Constitution states that in state and state-aided institutions there should be no religious instructions.
According to Article 28 (1), no religious instructions shall be provided in any educational institutions wholly maintained out of the state fund, he said. In cities, Kharge said, children who have access to quality nursery education learn to read and write by the time they join class 1.
However, he said poor children in towns and villages will be at a disadvantage because there is no proper policy defined for training of Aanganwadi teachers. Poor children will start with a disadvantage of not having learnt for three years before joining class 1.
"Nearly 50 per cent of students drop out after Class 10. There is no plan that has been suggested to reduce this drop outs. It is estimated that 32.4 per cent of these student drop outs are Dalits, 25.7 per cent minorities and 16.4 per cent are tribals," Kharge said.
15:56 Amid China tension, army readies Bofors guns
Amid the ongoing tensions over transgressions by the Chinese in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army is keeping its formidable Bofors howitzers ready for operations. In a visit to the maintenance facilities for the Bofors guns in Ladakh, ANI could see the effort with which the engineers of the force are servicing and maintaining the 155mm Bofors gun in Ladakh.
The Bofors gun, which was inducted into the regiment of artillery in the mid-1980s, is capable of firing both in low and high angles will be deployed in Ladakh once they will be serviced.
In Ladakh, Army Engineers were seen servicing one such Bofors gun which they said that it will be ready to roar in a few days.
According to the officials, the gun required periodical servicing and maintenance to keep roaring for which technicians have been deployed to keep it in working.
Bofors was instrumental in winning many battles of Operation Vijay was displayed in Dras in Jammu and Kashmir recently.In the workshop, Army Engineers are responsible to maintain and service all such weaponry required in odd situations.
"From a firing pin to engine assembly of a tank, Technical store groups job is to provide everything. This vehicle behind is mobile spares van, through this we provide components in the forward areas to repair technicians," Lt Colonel Preeti Kanwar said while briefing about Army's preparation in regards to servicing and maintenance in the forward areas. -- ANI
15:48 MHA seeks suggestions from governors, CMs, CJI
The home ministry has sought suggestions from governors, chief ministers, Lt governors, the Chief Justice of India and chief justices of various high courts on comprehensive amendments in criminal laws.
Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy told Rajya Sabha that a committee has been constituted under the chairpersonship of the Vice-Chancellor of the National Law University, Delhi to suggest reforms in the criminal laws.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs has also sought suggestions from governors, chief ministers of states, lieutenant governors (LGs) and administrators of union territories, Chief Justice of India, chief justices of various high courts, Bar Council of India, bar councils of various states and various universities and law institutes on comprehensive amendments in criminal laws," he said in a written reply to a question.
Reddy said the suggestions received and the report of the committee are subject to examination by the ministry in consultation with all stakeholders. PTI
15:43 Centre extends facilities to religious minorities from Pak, B'desh living in India: MHA
The Centre has extended various facilities to many people belonging to religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have come to India and are staying on long-term Visas, Union Minister Nityananda Rai said here on Wednesday.
The Minister of State, Home, said this in reply to a written query by Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai in the Upper House of the Parliament.Desai had asked whether a large number of people from minority religions in Pakistan and Bangladesh had taken shelter in India and if so, what were the facilities given by the Centre to them.
"A large number of persons belonging to minority communities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, namely, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians have come to India and are staying on Long Term Visa (LTV). Government has extended various facilities to such persons living in India on LTV," Rai's reply read.
He further added that the facilities include grant of LTV for five years at a time, allowing their children to take admission in schools and colleges. Allowing them to get employment in private sector jobs, purchase of accommodation, re-entry to India, among others are also extended to them by the Centre.
Rai further clarified that such persons have not been included in the voter list as, "Only Indian citizens are eligible to be included in the voter list", and added that the state-wise breakup of Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals staying in India on LTV is not maintained centrally.The Monsoon session of the Parliament began on Monday and is scheduled to continue till October 1
15:09 Russia to supply 100 mn doses of Covid vaccine to India
Russia to supply India's Dr. Reddy's Laboratories with 100 million doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine against COVID-19 once it receives regulatory approval in India, says ANI.
LK Advani, Uma Bharti, MM Joshi have been asked to be present in court
15:06 Babri verdict on Sept 30; Advani, Uma in court?
A special CBI court hearing the Babri mosque demolition case will pronounce its judgment on September 30. Judge SK Yadav has directed all accused to remain present in the court on the day of judgment. Prominent among the 32 accused are former deputy prime minister L K Advani and BJP leaders M M Joshi, Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar.
CBI counsel Lalit Singh told PTI that arguments of the defence and prosecution concluded on September 1 and thereafter the special judge started writing the judgment. The CBI has produced 351 witnesses and about 600 documentary evidence before the court. The Babri mosque in Ayodhya was demolished by karsevaks on December 6, 1992. PTI
15:00 Total tax collection falls 22.5% till Sep 15
Total tax collection of the Centre, including advance tax collection for the second quarter, fell 22.5 per cent to Rs 2,53,532.3 crore till September 15 of the current fiscal as compared to the year-ago period, according to an income tax department source.
The source shared some details about the provisional data. During the same period ended September 15, 2019, total tax collection stood at Rs 3,27,320.2 crore, the income tax department source from Mumbai zone told PTI over phone on Wednesday.
However, the source refused to share the advance tax numbers separately for the current quarter. The numbers are provisional as banks will be able to update the final data by the end of the day, the source said. During the first quarter ended June, gross tax collections fell 31 per cent driven down by a massive 76 per cent plunge in advance tax mop-up, as the country was in a full lockdown due to the pandemic. -- PTI
14:53 Centre approved anti-viral medicines to treat Covid patients: SC
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said there was an approval by the Central government on use of Remdesivir and Fabiparivir as medicines to treat Covid-19. The top court was hearing a plea seeking registration of an FIR by the CBI against ten Indian pharmaceutical firms for manufacturing and selling these two medicines for treating Covid-19 patients allegedly without valid licences.
Remdesivir and Favipiravir are antiviral drugs and their efficacy in treating COVID-19 patients have been a matter of debate among medical experts. A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian referred to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2018 and said these medicines have been permitted by the government for using in treatment of novel coronavirus patients.
"You have not noticed this rule (New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules) and filed this petition. We are adjourning this matter, you see the rules and then come back," the bench told lawyer M Sharma who has filed the PIL.
Adjourning the hearing by two weeks, the bench said, "There is approval by the Government of India for Remdesivir and Fabiparivir". Seeking CBI probe, Sharma had filed the PIL alleging that these two medicines have been wrongly manufactured and sold for treating COVID-19 patients without any valid licences from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.
"That respondent no.3 to 10 are Indian pharmaceutical company who have signed partnership agreements with foreign companies that are Gilead Science Inc -USA and Fujifilm Japan, to manufacture and sale impugned drug, Remdesivir and Avagin (Favipiravir) in India. Without having a licence, the are manufacturing and selling impugned drugs as a medicine for corona in India," the PIL alleged.
Sharma has sought prosecution of the Indian companies for offences of cheating and criminal conspiracy besides under the provisions of the Drug Act, 1940. The PIL said that these medicines have not been certified as medicines for Covid-19 till date by any country. "They are under trial and no country, including India, have issued licence to manufacture and sale them in the country...," it said.
The companies are manufacturing and selling them at very high rates in India and people are paying that "due to the fear of COVID-19 infection" and are dying, it said.
More than 300 doctors have died in hospitals where these two medicines have been supplied and it amounted to "exploitation of public" due to the fear of death. Remdesivir was introduced by Gilead Science Inc.
USA to treat Ebola Virus in Africa but it was not effective to treat Ebola virus as well, it said. Favipiravir was developed by Fujifilm Toyama Chemical and was actually approved to treat Influenza . The PIL has made the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation as parties. -- ANI
14:01 More security for Bachchans after Jaya's RS speech
Mumbai Police on Wednesday stepped up the security around celebrity couple Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan's Mumbai residence - Jalsa.Mumbai Police said the security has been enhanced as a precautionary measure after actor turned politician Jaya Bachchan in a fiery speech slammed those who are tarnishing the film industry's image in the Upper House of the Parliament.
Without naming BJP MP Ravi Kishan who had on Monday raised the issue of the use of drugs in the film industry, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan on Tuesday stated that she was "ashamed that yesterday one of our members in the Lok Sabha, who is from the film industry, spoke against it."
The lawmaker also said the government should stand by the entertainment industry when some people are trying to tarnish its image.She also added people working in the entertainment industry are being "flogged" by social media.Jaya Bachchan, a four-time Rajya Sabha MP had on Tuesday given a zero hour notice in the Upper House over an alleged conspiracy to defame the film industry. -- ANI
Nawazuddin in Raat Akeli Hai
13:40 Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer 'Serious Men' to hit Netflix on October 2
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra's upcoming feature "Serious Men", headlined by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, will premiere on Netflix on October 2. Writen by Bhavesh Mandalia, the movie isbased on a 2010 novel of the same name by Manu Joseph. Siddiqui said "Serious Men" brings to end his long wait to collaborate with Mishra. "I am excited about this film as I waited almost 20 years to work with Sudhir Mishra. It's a dream come true. I can't wait for the audience to watch 'Serious Men' and join this journey with me, this Gandhi Jayanti," the actor said in a statement.
The film chronicles the story of an ambitious underachiever who capitalises on his son's newfound fame as a boy-genius to improve his family's fortunes. Produced by Bombay Fables and Cine Raas, "Serious Men" also stars Aakshath Das, Shweta Basu Prasad, Nassar, and introduces actor Indira Tiwari. Siddiqui was last seen in Netflix's crime-thriller "Raat Akeli Hai", directed by Honey Trehan. PTI
13:36 70-kg laddoo for PM's 70th
Ahead of PM Narendra Modi's birthday, BJP workers offered a 70-kg laddoo at Sri Kamatchi Amman Temple and distributed it among people in Coimbatore. The PM turns 70 tomorrow.
13:28 Economy showing signs of stability: RBI governor
India's economic recovery is likely to be gradual as the country is still reeling from the impact of coronavirus (Covid-19) and rising infections continue to pose a risk, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Wednesday.
However, the latest data suggests some stabilisation in economic activities in the second quarter of the current fiscal year, he said while addressing the FICCI National Executive Committee Meeting through video conferencing.
"High-frequency indicators of agricultural activity, the purchasing managers' index (PMI) for manufacturing and certain private estimates for unemployment point to some stabilisation of economic activity. The contraction in many other sectors is simultaneously easing," said Das.
"But the recovery is not yet fully entrenched. In some sectors, the optics noticed in June and July appear to have leveled off. By all indications, the recovery is likely to be gradual as efforts towards reopening of the economy are confronted with rising infections," he added.
Das said the RBI stands battle-ready and whatever measures are required will be taken up. His comments came days after official data showed the country's GDP contracted by a record 23.9 per cent in the April to June period. -- ANI
13:05 Covid: Centre has no data of police harassment
The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday informed Rajya Sabha that since police and public order are State subjects, the Centre has no records of complaints, FIRs, regarding harassment/injury or death of individuals by police measures while enforcing the Covid-19 lockdown in the country, Minister of State (MoS) Home G Kishan Reddy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, said "Police and public order are State subjects as per 7th schedule of Constitution of India. Hence, the actions are taken by the respective State government."
It also added that the data pertaining to complaints and cases/FIR registered regarding such incidents are "not maintained centrally."
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge had questioned the Centre whether it had any details of "excessive police measures leading to harassment/injury or death of individuals in enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown and the action taken against such police personnel who have carried out such acts.
The COVID-19 induced nationwide lockdown was imposed in the last week of March.The Monsoon session of the Parliament began on Monday and is scheduled to continue till October 1. -- ANI
12:59 Arts scholar Kapila Vatsyayan dies in Delhi home
Kapila Vatsyayan, renowned scholar of art history, architecture and Indian classical dance, died at her Delhi home on Wednesday. She was 91. "She passed away at 9 am today at her home in Gulmohar Enclave, Kanwal Ali, secretary of the India International Centre where she was a lifetime trustee, told PTI.
Vatsyayan was also chairperson of the Asia Project at the IIC. She was the founding director of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. The final rites will be held at the Lodhi Cremation Ground on Wednesday afternoon. It's scheduled for today at 2 pm, but due to the current restrictions (because of COVID-19), only a limited number of family members would be present there, Ali said. PTI
12:42 No infiltration reported along India-China border in past six months: MHA
No infiltration has been reported along the India-China border during the last six months, according to Union Minister Nityanand Rai on Wednesday. The Minister of State (MoS) Home Affairs said this in a written reply to a query posed by MP Dr Anil Agrawal in the Rajya Sabha over the issue of infiltration from both Pakistan and China increasing in the past six months.
According to it, 47 attempted infiltration along the India-Pakistan border were made during the last six months. These occurred in the months of February (0), March (4), April (24), May (8), June (0), July (11), respectively.
"The government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross border infiltration, which inter-alia includes multi-tiered deployment along the International border/Line of Control, improved intelligence and operational coordination, border fencing, deploying technological solutions and taking pro-active action against infiltrators," Rai further said.
The Monsoon session of the Parliament began on Monday and is scheduled to continue till October 1. -- ANI
12:40 Sena backs Jaya for standing up for Bollywood
The Shiv Sena on Wednesday came out in support of Rajya Sabha MP and veteran actor Jaya Bachchan for slamming those who claimed there was a problem of drug addiction in the film industry. "Those who make such claims are hypocrites and their statements smack of double standards," the Shiv Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.
Jaya Bachchan on Tuesday criticised those tarnishing the image of the film industry. Her remarks came a day after BJP's Lok Sabha MP and Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan said there was a problem of drug addiction in the film industry.
Supporting Bachchan's stand, the Marathi daily said, "A doping test should be conducted on those who claim that all artists and technicians in the film industry are under the influence of drugs."
The Shiv Sena said the foundation of the Indian film industry was laid by Dadasaheb Phalke, a Maharashtrian. The industry made a start with silent movies like 'Raja Harishchandra' and reached the present pinnacle of success due to the hard work of lakhs of people. It also said actors like Sunil Dutt and his colleagues would tour the borders to entertain soldiers, Manoj Kumar always produced patriotic films while Raj Kapoor's films catered to social issues. "Several artistes raised their voice against the Emergency for which they had to pay a heavy price," it said. PTI
12:31 Core pillars of democracy being tampered: Cong
On the International Day of Democracy on September 15, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Abhishek Singhvi, attacked the Central government and said that the core pillars of the Indian democracy including both institutional and non-institutional are being tampered with, at a webinar hosted by Congress leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy.
While speaking on the occasion, Singhvi who is also a prominent lawyer, pointed out various institutional and non-institutional pillars of democracy and their prominent role in shaping the country.
"The press has been moving from sense to sensationalism, from news to notice, balance to extremism. Media being the 4th estate has plummeted in the direction," the senior Congress leader said at the webinar that lasted for one hour.
International Democracy Day is observed across the globe to raise public awareness about the democratic system.The UN General Assembly had decided in November 2007 to observe 'International Democracy Day' every year on September 15. -- ANI
12:15 Three arrested for murder of Suresh Raina's kin
Three people have been arrested in the case of the attack and murder of cricketer Suresh Raina's kin. The three are part of an inter-state gang of robber-criminals. Eleven other accused are yet to be arrested, the Punjab government said.
The gang of robbers who killed former India cricketer Suresh Raina's relatives in Thariyal village of Pathankot district in Punjab late on 19 August had struck two other places in the neighbourhood the same night, but failed to find anything of value.
A special investigation team of the Punjab Police, which is probing the high-profile case, has found that the robbers first entered a godown in the village, then an empty house nearby, before breaking into Raina's uncle Ashok Kumar's house.
12:03 Karnataka HM tests positive for Covid
-- Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai tweets that he tested positive for Covid-19 and is in home isolation, being asymptomatic.
-- One of the members of SIT has tested positive for Covid-19. "We just received antigen test report. In view of that, other members will be tested and protocol will be followed. Accordingly, we've sent back Shruti Modi (Sushant Singh Rajput's manager) who had joined investigations today," the NCB said.
11:24 Buildings with 10+ Covid cases to be sealed: BMC
In a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Mumbai, the city civic body has decided to seal an entire building if 10 or more coronavirus infection cases are found there. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's health department issued the revised protocols on Tuesday after civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal held a meeting to review the the COVID-19 situation.
Earlier, the BMC in July said if there is a COVID-19 case in a society or building, only the particular floor will be sealed and the entire building need not be sealed.
According to the revised BMC protocols, the whole building will be sealed if 10 or more cases are reported from two or more floors, and will be sealed partially if one or more cases are found in a single home.
The respective assistant municipal commissioner or medical health officer can take a call on sealing the entire building to prevent the spread of COVID-19, if sealing of a particular floor or wing is not sufficient, it said. On Tuesday, Mumbai reported 1,585 new COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 1,73,534. The city's death toll increased to 8,227 with 49 more patients succumbing to the infection.
In the wake of the rise in COVID-19 cases, the number of buildings sealed in the city has also gone up. As per official figures, 8,763 buildings here were sealed as of Tuesday, as compared to 6,171 till August 31. As of now, there are 592 COVID-19 containment zones in the city as compared to 567 in August end, according to BMC data. PTI
Congress leader MP KC Venugopal
10:39 Cong raises 'Chinese surveillance' issue in RS
Congress MP KC Venugopal on Wednesday demanded a clarification from the Centre on the issue of 'Chinese surveillance on political leaders and key officials.'
Speaking at the Rajya Sabha, Venugopal said, "As per a media report, Zhenhua Data Information, a Shenzhen based technology company with links to the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government is tracking over 10,000 Indians in its global database of foreign targets.
This includes the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Opposition leader, Army Chief and MPs.
"He has given a Zero Hour notice in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of Chinese surveillance on political leaders and key officials."
"This is a major area of concern. I want to know from the government if it has taken note of it. If so, what actions have been taken?" he added.
The Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Venkaiah Naidu, urged the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to inform the concerned minister to find out its extent.
Earlier yesterday, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor speaking with regard to a media report emerging that the Chinese government and military is watching over 10,000 Indians which include politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, and people belonging to fields of academics as well, had said that the fact that the Chinese authorities "are looking at the details" of 10,000 Indians is no "small thing" further calling it "a deep mining operation". -- ANI
10:24 NCB summons Sushant's business manager
Shruti Modi, former business manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, arrives at the NCB SIT office. She was summoned by the Narcotics Control Bureau yesterday.
10:11 With safety measures in place, gyms re-open in Delhi
Gymnasiums in the national capital started reopening for their patrons on September 14th, five months after they were closed, following the outbreak of COVID-19 and measures taken by the government to curb its spread.
While speaking to ANI, Udit, a trainer at Funkfit gym in Delhi said that all safety measures are in place at the gym and precautions are being taken to prevent any spread of the disease.
He added that the customers are provided hand sanitisers when they enter the gym after which their temperatures are checked using thermal scanners.
"We open the gym at 5.30 am and as soon as a client comes in, we give them sanitiser and check their temperature, only then they are allowed in. We're not allowing more than eight people on the floor in an hour. After every 2 to 2.5 hours, there is a break when all equipment is sanitised and gym is cleaned. Gyms were closed for a long time so we were facing problems. The charges are a little high now," he said.
10:06 PM CARES fund opportunity in disaster: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on the BJP-led Centre alleging its promises made during the Covid-19 crisis phase had failed.
The Wayanad MP accused the Centre of "building castles in the air regarding defeating Corona in 21 days, Arogya Setu app protecting people, 20 lakh crores package, nobody entered our borders and the situation is under control."
The Congress leader, through his tweet, further alleged that "There was one truth too: 'Aapda me Avsar' (Opportunity in Disaster) PM CARES."
The Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund was created in March 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The fund is aimed at strengthening the fight against Covid-19, provide quality treatment and encourage research to combat coronavirus. The Congress has been against the setting up of the PM CARES Fund and had earlier also slammed the Centre for not revealing the names of donors to the fund. -- ANI
09:49 Shinzo Abe's Cabinet resign, clearing way for successor
With Yoshihide Suga set to assume office as Japan's new Prime Minister, the entire Cabinet of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe submitted their resignation on Wednesday.
According to a report by Kyodo News, Yoshihide Suga, the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, is set to take office as Japan's Prime Minister on Wednesday, with the immediate focus on reviving a battered economy while keeping the coronavirus under control.
According to an earlier poll, Suga had secured 377 votes, followed by former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida with 89 votes and former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba with 68 votes.
Kyodo News further reported that Suga has vowed to push forward with Abe's policies, including "Abenomics," a mix of measures including monetary easing and fiscal stimulus aimed at beating deflation and spurring growth in the world's third-largest economy.On August 28, Shinzo Abe had announced his decision to step down citing poor health. -- ANI
09:48 Cong gives notice for discussion on LAC in RS
On the third day of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma has given a short duration discussion notice in Rajya Sabha over 'the incursion of the Chinese army across the Line of Actual Control and military standoff between the armies of the two countries on the LAC'.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will give a statement in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday over the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A day earlier, he gave the statement in Lok Sabha over the same subject.
The Opposition has been demanding a discussion on the issue. Congress also walked out from Lok Sabha over the matter.In his statement, Singh said India has conveyed to China that its attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was unacceptable and noted that the Chinese actions reflect a "disregard" of various bilateral agreements between the two countries. -- PTI
Image: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi arrive at the Parliament, as proceedings of the Rajya Sabha begin.
09:37 India's COVID-19 tally crosses 50 lakh
India's COVID-19 tally crosses 50-lakh mark with a spike of 90,123 new cases, the Union health ministry said.
The country recorded 1,290 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total fatalities to 82,066.
Currently there are 9,95,933 active cases while 39,42,361 patients have been recovered so far.
09:31 Bill Gates Sr., father of Microsoft's co-founder, dies at 94
Bill Gates Sr, a lawyer and father of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, died on Monday at his beach home on Hood Canal, in the Seattle area.
He was 94.
William Henry Gates II was born November. 30, 1925, in Bremerton, Washington,
"My dad was the 'real' Bill Gates. He was everything I try to be and I will miss him every day," Bill Gates tweeted.
According to the New York Times, Gates Sr played a crucial role in establishing the world's largest philanthropy, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
"My dad's influence on our philanthropy was just as big. Throughout my childhood, he and my mom taught me by example what generosity looked like in how they used their time and resources," Bill Gates said in a statement.
In 1994, Gates Sr was 69 and planning to retire from his prestigious law practice in a few years when, one autumn evening, he and his son, Bill, and his daughter-in-law, Melinda, went to a movie.
Standing in the ticket line, Bill told his father that he was being inundated with appeals for charity but that he was far too busy running Microsoft to answer them.
"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation would not be what it is today without my dad. More than anyone else, he shaped the values of the foundation. He was collaborative, judicious, and serious about learning. He was dignified but hated anything that seemed pretentious," Gates Jr said in a statement.
In addition to his son, Bill, he is survived by his wife; his daughters, Kristianne Blake, who is known as Kristi, and Elizabeth MacPhee, who is known as Libby; and eight grandchildren. -- ANI
09:13 Israel, UAE and Bahrain sign Abraham Accord
United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain for the signing of the historic Abraham Accord, which is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.
"We are here this afternoon to change the course of history. After decades of division and conflict we mark the dawn of a new Middle East," Trump said, moments before the accord was signed at the South Lawns of the White House.
The UAE was represented by Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and Bahrain by Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani.
The Arab Accord -- essentially bilateral agreements with Israel -- does not mention the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"Thanks to the great courage of the leaders of these three countries we take a major stride towards a future in which people of all faiths and backgrounds live together in peace and prosperity," Trump said.
The president pointed out that these were the only two peace deals between Israel and the Arab States in more than a quarter of a century.
Egypt was the first Arab State to sign a peace deal with Israel in 1979.
Jordon signed a peace pact in 1994.
"Now we have achieved two in a single month and there are more to follow," Trump said.
As per the agreements, the UAE and Bahrain will establish embassies, exchange ambassadors, cooperate and work together with Israel across a range of sectors, including tourism, trade, healthcare and security.
"They are friends. The Abraham Accords also open the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam," Trump said, amidst applause and cheer from more than 200 invited guests.
Together these agreements will serve as the foundation for comprehensive peace across the entire region, Trump said.
Netanyahu described the accord as a "pivot of history", heralding a new dawn.
"For thousands of years the Jewish people have prayed for peace. For decades, the Jewish state has prayed for peace and this is why today we are filled with such profound gratitude," he said.
"You have heard from the president that he has already lined up more and more countries. This was unimaginable a few years ago. But with resolve, determination, a fresh look at the way peace is done, this is being achieved," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said Israel is eager to invest in a future of prosperity, and peace.
"We've already begun to cooperate on combating coronavirus and I am sure that together we can find solutions to many of the problems that afflict our region and beyond," he said. -- PTI
09:08 Show business is absolutely intoxicating: Kangana
Sharing a picture of herself getting ready in front of the mirror, actor Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday said that the show business is "intoxicating."
The Queen actor who recently made her debut on Twitter took to the platform and shared the picture and her thoughts on "show business".
"Show business is absolutely intoxicating, this make-believe world of lights and camera is designed to make one live and believe in an alternate reality," she tweeted.
"A little bubble of their own, it takes a very strong spiritual core to recognise this delusion," she added.
The picture features the 33-year-old actor in her bathrobe putting her lipstick on, in front of the camera.
Kangana has been in the show business for over 14 years. -- ANI
08:45 India slams Pakistan for persecuting minorities
India on Tuesday described Pakistan as an "epicenter of terrorism" and said no one deserves unsolicited lecture on human rights from Islamabad that has consistently persecuted its ethnic and religious minorities including Hindus, Sikhs and Christians.
Exercising the Right of Reply to the statements made by Pakistan at the 45th session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Indian representative said that it has become habitual for Pakistan to malign India with false and fabricated narratives for its self-serving malicious purposes.
"Neither India nor others deserve this unsolicited lecture on human rights from a country that has consistently persecuted its ethnic and religious minorities, is an epicenter of terrorism, has the distinction of providing pensions to individuals on UN Sanctions list and has a Prime Minister who proudly admits training tens of thousands of terrorists to fight in Jammu and Kashmir," the Indian diplomat said.
The diplomat said that it was not surprising that other relevant multilateral institutions have been raising serious concerns on Pakistan's failure to stop terror financing and lack of effective actions against all terror entities in Pakistan.
Highlighting the nefarious designs of Pakistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the diplomat said, "the mass influx of outsiders has whittled down the number of Kashmiris to an insignificant number in Pakistan occupied parts of Indian Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Laddakh."
"In its zeal to reassert its theocratic ideology, it has ensured that ethnic and religious minorities have no future through systematic persecution, blasphemy laws, forced conversions, targeted killings, sectarian violence and faith-based discrimination," the diplomat said.
"Thousands of Sikh, Hindus and Christian minority women and girls have been subjected to abductions, forced marriages and conversions in Pakistan."
On the plight of people in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, the Indian diplomat said, "Not a single day has gone by when a family in Balochistan doesn't find its members picked up or kidnapped by the security forces of Pakistan.
"Pakistan does well when it comes to intimidation and attacks against journalists, human rights defenders and political dissidents in particular by its state machinery. It is not without a reason that Pakistan has been highlighted by international organizations as a country where journalists are slain and their killers go scot free, the diplomat said.
India also slammed Pakistan for "abusing various HRC mechanisms and platforms for raising issues, which are extraneous to the mandate of the HRC and which relate to internal affairs of India, with a view to distract the attention of the international community from serious human rights violations committed by it against its own people, including in Indian territories occupied by it."
India also rejected the reference made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. -- PTI
08:25 Serum gets nod to resume vaccine trial in India
Drugs Controller General of India Dr V G Somani on Tuesday gave permission to Serum Institute of India to resume clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the country while revoking its earlier order of suspending any new recruitment for phase two and three trial.
The DCGI, however, put certain conditions like taking extra care during screening, providing additional information in informed consent and close monitoring for adverse events during follow-up of the study which have to be "scrupulously" followed by Serum Institute of India.
SII has also been asked to submit to the DCGI's office details of medication used in accordance with the protocol for management of adverse events.
The DCGI had on September 11 directed Serum Institute of India to suspend any new recruitment in the phase two and three clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate till further orders in the backdrop of pharma giant AstraZeneca pausing the clinical trials in other countries because of ''an unexplained illness'' in a participant in the study.
On Saturday, British-Swedish biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford said clinical trials for their coronavirus vaccine have resumed in the United Kingdom after the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority's confirmed that the trials were safe.
SII, which has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing the vaccine candidate for COVID-19, on Tuesday submitted the recommendations of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), UK and DSMB, India, and requested for permission to restart enrolment in the clinical trial.
According to Tuesday's order issued by DCGI, the DSMB, UK, recommended that the investigators recommence all immunization in their clinical trials subject to certain conditions.
DSMB, India, also has recommended to continue the study and enroll the remaining participants in the clinical trial as per protocol subject to certain conditions.
00:04 World still at beginning of pandemic: WHO expert
The world is still at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, a World Health Organisation special envoy on Covid-19 has said.
Dr David Nabarro described the situation as grotesque during a sitting of the UKs foreign affairs committee.
He told MPs: "Its much worse than any of the science fiction about pandemics. This is really serious -- were not even in the middle of it yet. Were still at the beginning of it.
And were beginning to see what damage its going to cause the world. And its getting nastier as we go into this particular phase in Europe of watching the thing come back again.
He added: None of us find the present situation anything other than horrible, grotesque, really embarrassing.
Its a terrible situation, a health issue has got so out of control its knocking the world into, not just a recession, but a huge economic contraction which would probably double the number of poor people, double the number of malnourished, lead to hundreds of millions of small businesses going bankrupt.
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