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Mon, 05 April 2021
Covid: Centre rushes health teams to Maha, Punjab
Timeline Refresh
Fire at mall hospital in Bhandup
23:18 Mumbai civic body orders fire safety audit of all hospitals
In view of two separate fire incidents at COVID-19 centres in the recent past, the Mumbai civic body on Monday directed to conduct the fire safety audit of all hospitals in the city.
In its order, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has directed the chief fire officer to inspect all private hospitals, government hospitals and municipal hospitals, and submit a report within 15 days.
On Sunday afternoon, a minor fire had broken out at the Dahisar-based jumbo COVID-19 facility ofthe civic body. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
On March 26, 10 people lost their lives in a major fire at Sunrise Hospital based in the Dreams Mall building in suburban Bhandup.
"The fire safety audit of the private, government and municipal hospitals should be done on priority to ensure fire safety compliance under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006.
"In case of any shortcomings/deficiencies observed from the fire safety point of view during such inspection, action under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act-2006 shall be initiated," the order stated. -- PTI
22:48 Covid: Centre rushes health teams to Maha, Punjab
The central government has constituted 50 high-level multi-disciplinary public health teams and deployed them to 50 districts across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab in view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
The teams are being rushed to 30 districts of Maharashtra, 11 districts of Chhattisgarh and nine districts of Punjab to assist the state health department and local authorities in COVID-19 surveillance, control and containment measures, the Health Ministry said on Monday.
The two-member high-level team consists of a clinician/epidemiologist and a public health expert.
"The teams will visit the states immediately and monitor the overall implementation of COVID19 management, especially in testing, including surveillance and containment operations, COVID-appropriate behaviour and its enforcement, availability of hospital beds, sufficient logistics, including ambulances, ventilators, medical oxygen, etc. and COVID-19 vaccination progress," the ministry said.
Three senior officers from the central government have been appointed as nodal officers for Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab.
Vijoy Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Textile is the nodal officer for Punjab, Richa Sharma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal officer for Chhattisgarh and Kunak Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs is the nodal officer for Maharashtra.
The high-level teams will report to and coordinate with the nodal officers for the three states, the ministry said.
They will submit daily reports on five aspects, including testing, contact tracing, hospital infrastructure, enforcement of COVID-appropriate behaviour and vaccination, it said.
The Union government has been leading the fight against the global pandemic with a 'Whole of Government' and 'Whole of Society' approach under the umbrella strategy of 'Cooperative Federalism', the ministry stated.
As an ongoing effort to strengthen efforts of various state and UT governments for COVID management, the Centre has been deputing teams from time to time to visit various states and Union Territories.
These teams interact with authorities and get a first hand understanding of the challenges and issues being faced by them to strengthen their ongoing activities and remove bottlenecks, if any. -- PTI
22:01 COVID-19 surge: Police issues prohibitory orders in Mumbai
The Mumbai Police on Monday issued prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC banning the assembly of five or more people at public places in the city from 7 am to 8 pm from Mondays to Fridays till April 30.
The order also imposed a night curfew on weekdays and a strict lockdown on weekends beginning from 8 pm on Friday till 7 am on Monday.
The order was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (operations) S Chaitanya which will remain in force till April 30 unless withdrawn earlier.
It stated that a strict lockdown will be enforced during weekends.
"No person will be allowed to roam outside without a valid reason from 8 pm on Friday till 7 am on Monday," as per the order.
The order asked people to adhere to the COVID appropriate behaviour including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing at public places.
Those found violating the new curbs will be booked under section 188 (disobeying public servant's order) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act and the Disaster Management Act, it said.
Mumbai had reported the highest 11,163 cases in a day on Sunday.
As on Monday, Mumbai's caseload stood at 4,62,302.
Alarmed by the huge rise in cases over the last few days, the state government on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown and night curfew during the weekdays from Monday to April 30, in addition to a slew of other restrictions like the closure of private offices, theatres and salons.
The weekend lockdown will start from 8 pm on Fridays and last till 7 am on Mondays. Besides, prohibitory orders will be in force during the daytime on weekdays, the Chief Minister's Office had said in a statement. -- PTI
21:51 5.4 magnitude quake strikes Sikkim
An earthquake of 5.4 magnitude hit Sikkim on Monday night, the National Centre for Seismology said.
The quake occurred at 8.49 pm at a depth of 10 km near the India-Bhutan border.
People got frightened and rushed out of their houses but no loss of life or property has been reported so far, an official said. -- PTI
21:13 Whats going at the IIAS?
In the last two years, the Indian Institute of Advanced Study has witnessed a record number of fellows being shown the door out of its sylvan surroundings because the mandated mid-way review of their work recommended the termination of their two-year fellowships. On the face of it, there can be no grudge against peer reviews of academic work. But a closer examination reveals a pattern that smacks of favouritism and a shoddy review process, where the director gets to play a major role, reports Akshaya Mukul in The Wire, here.
Uddhav Thackeray
21:10 Uddhav asks PM to lower age for vaccine to 25 yrs
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to further lower the age group eligible for vaccination to 25years old to curb the intensity of the rising cases in the state.
Mumbai on Monday reported 9,857 novel coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, a small dip in cases from Sunday where it recorded 11,163 cases.
The total tally of infections in the financial capital of India rose to 4,62,302, the city civic body said.
Amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases across the state, the Maharashtra government has announced new restrictions including a night curfew in the state and a "strict lockdown" over the weekends from Friday 8 pm to Monday 7 am.
20:53 4th wave of COVID-19 in Delhi: Minister
Delhi is witnessing a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic and to tackle it testing capacity has been ramped up while micro-containment zones are being created where two or more cases are reported, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Monday.
The national capital recorded 3,548 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Monday, while 15more people succumbed to the infection taking the death toll to 11,096, according to the Delhi health department.
Jain on Monday said Delhi is witnessing a fourth wave of the pandemic and the government is taking all relevant measures to contain its spread.
"The case positivity rate was 4.64 per cent. Random tests are being done at a fast pace and capacity is being ramped up. More than 80,000 tests are being conducted a day which is five times more than the national average," he told reporters.
The Arvind Kejriwal government is taking a number of other decisions to contain the contagion, the minister said, adding micro-containment zones are being created wherever two to three COVID-19 cases are getting detected.
Jain, a COVID survivor, appealed to the people who have recuperated from the disease to donate plasma.
"I appeal to all citizens of Delhi to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour and not show any negligence. I believe that taking necessary precautions is of utmost importance to stop the spread of the infection," he said.
Asked about the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, Jain said, "The severity of the cases (this time) is comparatively lower vis-a-vis the previous waves."
"The Delhi government is taking appropriate measures, the most significant one being boosting daily testing capacity. Around 80,000 tests are being done each day. Moreover, asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients are being kept in home isolation, while and moderate to severe cases are being treated in the hospitals," he said.
"Genome tracing is also being carried out... Additionally, micro containment zones are being created to prevent the spread of the virus."
About the coronavirus variants, he said let scientists look into the variants.
"It would not make much difference. Scientists say that the current coronavirus variant is spreading at a fast pace with less severity and the mortality rate is also low. The central lab is doing the study on the variants." -- PTI
20:40 Maha: Shirdi temple shut amid spike in COVID-19 cases
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and the Maharashtra government's notification on restrictions, weekend lockdown and night curfew to contain it, officials of the renowned Saibaba temple in Shirdi decided to keep it shut
from Monday night till further orders.
As per the Maharashtra government notification, religious places will remain closed due to the rise in COVID- 19 cases, and, therefore, the Saibaba temple will remain closed for devotees from Monday 8 pm till further orders, said Ravindra Thakre, the officiating chief executive officer, Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust.
However, the daily affairs inside the temple premise will go on asusual, though accommodation and 'prasadalay' ( dining hall for devotees) will remain closed, he said. -- PTI
20:32 Music systems set to go under proposed MP autorickshaw rules
Autorickshaws in Madhya Pradesh will not be allowed to install music systems as per rules proposed by the state government, officials said on Monday.
The state's Autorickshaw Regulations Scheme 2021 lays down that three-wheeler owners cannot make changes to the vehicle, including installation of music systems, and violations could result in the permit being cancelled, they said.
These rules are a result of a MP High Court order on February 15 asking the state government to come up with regulations for the autorickshaw sector.
As per the proposed regulations scheme, if a driver is fined twice for not driving his autorickshaw in a designated lane, and is caught two times for jumping traffic signals, or caught driving at high speed or under the influence of alcohol, he won't be employed as a three-wheeler driver.
Permits for petrol and diesel autorickshaws cannot be renewed after 10 years, and these will be replaced with CNG three-wheelers, it said.
The scheme also lays down that speed governors, with a upper limit of 40 kmph, as well as vehicle tracking device connected to the state transport department must be installed.
Meanwhile, Indore Auto Drivers Mahasangh founder Rajesh Bidkar said the regulations were impractical and would be opposed by the sector. -- PTI
19:50 Dilip Walse Patil is new Maharashtra home minister
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday forwarded Home Minister Anil Deshmukh's resignation to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and informed him that Dilip Walse Patil will now be taking charge of the state Home department.
Dilip Walse Patil is currently Mahrashtra's minister for labour and excise.
The Maharashtra government also decided that the Excise Ministry will be given to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who is already in charge of the State Finance Ministry.
The labour ministry portfolio, however, will be given to Hasan Mushrif.
19:25 Mumbai's Covid tally rises by 9,857 cases
Mumbai on Monday reported 9,857 novel coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, a small dip in cases from Sunday where it recorded 11,163 cases.
The total tally of infections in the financial capital of India rose to 4,62,302, the city civic body said.
With 21 patients succumbing to the COVID-19 infection, the death toll mounted to 11,797, according to the health bulletin.
Amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases across the state, the Maharashtra government has announced new restrictions including a night curfew in the state and a "strict lockdown" over the weekends from Friday 8 pm to Monday 7 am.
19:06 March third warmest in 121 years: IMD
March was third warmest in 121 years in terms of monthly average maximum temperature, the India Meteorological Department on Monday said.
The IMD, in its review for the month, said the observed monthly average maximum, minimum and mean temperature for the country as a whole during March this year are 32.65 degrees Celsius, 19.95 degrees Celsius and 26.30 degrees Celsius, respectively, against the normal 31.24 degrees Celsius, 18.87 degrees Celsius and 25.06 degrees Celsius based on the climatology period 1981-2010.
"The all India average monthly maximum temperature during March 2021 with 32.65 degrees Celsius is the warmest in the last 11 years, and third warmest in the last 121 years with 2010 and 2004 as the ever warmest and second warmest month with 33.09 degrees Celsius and 32.82 degrees Celsius, respectively," the IMD said.
Several parts of the country had recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in March.
-- PTI
18:44 'Sooryavanshi' release postponed indefinitely
The makers of Akshay Kumar-starrer "Sooryavanshi" on Monday announced that the cop drama has been pushed yet again and will not release on April 30 due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra.
The Rohit Shetty-directed cop drama was originally scheduled for a release on March 24 last year, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, the makers said Shetty attended a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday and decided to push the April release date owing to the situation in the state.
"The Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr Uddhav Thackeray had a discussion with director Rohit Shetty yesterday.
"In the meeting, Mr Uddhav Thackeray appreciated Rohit Shetty as he took the brave and difficult decision of postponing Sooryavanshi owing to the current COVID situation in the state," the makers said in a statement.
The Maharashtra government on Sunday announced a weekend lockdown in the state from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in a bid to curb the growing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state.
The night curfew will continue to be imposed in the state and strict restrictions will be in force from Monday 8 pm onwards.
On Sunday, Kumar, 53, also tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to a city hospital as a "precautionary measure" on Monday.
Last June, Reliance Entertainment, which is backing "Sooryavanshi", had announced to release the film during Diwali.
However, in October the movie was again postponed due to theatres being shut in Maharashtra and in some parts of the country.
-- PTI
18:28 Harsh Vardhan to meet CMs of states with high Covid numbers
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan will on Tuesday hold a meeting with health ministers of 11 states and Union Territories, which has been witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases, to review the situation there.
These 11 states are Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.
According to the health ministry, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab have shown a steep rise in daily COVID cases, accounting for 81.90 per cent of the over 1 lakh infections reported in a day.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 57,074 which is 55.11 per cent of the new cases reported nationwide. It is followed by Chhattisgarh with 5,250 cases and Karnataka reported 4,553 fresh infections.
-- PTI
18:04 Dinesh Trivedi's 2 secrets to winning Bengal
The culture of violence and corruption is holding West Bengal back despite the state having a formidable army of skilled labour, trained engineers and professionals, and vast natural resources, former Union minister Dinesh Trivedi, who recently switched over to the BJP, said.
He said job creation, infrastructure building and harnessing Bengal's standing as a knowledge hub to build industry, will be among the focus areas for the BJP, if it comes to power in the state.
The 71-year-old former minister said the party expects investment in infrastructure to create jobs and the pull needed to attract industry. Development of highways, railways, ports and airports will all create the jobs, he said.
"Bengal is a knowledge hub, yet we have failed to cash in on that to transform the state industrially and create jobs. There is scope to build a parallel Silicon Valley here given the number of software engineers the state trains every year," he said in an interview with PTI.
The Left Front government which preceded TMC had set up an IT hub in Salt Lake, but it is considered a paler version of Bangalore, the IT and start-up capital of the country. Software techies from Bengal's engineering colleges and universities continue to throng IT hubs elsewhere in the country and abroad, he said.
Trivedi, as the railway minister, had planned to set up an engine manufacturing and coach building hub in Bengal, before his tenure was cut short and he was asked to resign by TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in March 2012.
"Bengal which was an industrialised state long before many others, slipped as successive governments failed to deliver it from a cycle of violence, corruption and `tolabaji (extortion)," said Trivedi who started his political career with the Congress, became a Rajya Sabha MP of the Janata Dal in 1990, before switching over to the TMC in 1998. The BJP's manifesto called 'Sankalp Patra, too, had lamented that Bengal's share in India's industrial production had fallen from 30 per cent to 3.5 per cent.
"This has happened despite the best brains and resources because of this endless cycle (of violence and corruption). When Mamata Banerjee came to power, replacing the Left, we spoke of 'Bodol' (change). The only change was in the party which ruled Bengal, not in the governance style. "She simply copied the CPIM)'s model of interfering at every stage of our social, political, and economic life down to the village level. The few jobs that were there were bought and sold. Government benefits depended on political patronage," Trivedi, an alumnus of Kolkata's St Xavier's College and Texas University, said.
He said dance bars and liquor vends increased in numbers but not industry. The state now earns a significant slice of its revenues from liquor sales and lottery business, he claimed. As jobs got scarce, the coal mafia became a major employer, employing thousands in unsafe and exploitative environment in illegal coal mines, something which needs to be stopped and legal mining operations expanded, he noted. "We feel there is a need to bring about a paradigm shift and that can only happen once this cycle is broken, said Trivedi. PTI
17:58 IT stocks stand tall as Sensex takes a dive
After plunging over 1,400 points earlier in the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex on Monday pared some losses to finish at 49,159.32, down 870.51 points or 1.74 per cent.
Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty sank 229.55 points or 1.54 per cent to 14,637.80.
Bajaj Finance was the top laggard in the Sensex pack, plunging 5.81 per cent, followed by IndusInd Bank, SBI, M&M, Axis Bank, Bajaj Auto and ICICI Bank.
IT stocks stood tall amid the carnage, with HCL Tech leading the gainers' chart with a jump of 3.08 per cent.
TCS, Infosys, Bharti Airtel and Tech Mahindra were the other winners, gaining up to 2.32 per cent.
17:54 Maha govt to respond after studying HC order on Deshmukh: Raut
The Maharashtra government will come out with its response after studying the Bombay High Court judgement ordering a preliminary CBI probe into the allegations of corruption against Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said on Monday.
Earlier in the day, the HC directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh against Deshmukh. Deshmukh, a senior leader of the NCP, a key ally in the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government, resigned from the cabinet after the HC order, his party announced.
Talking to reporters, Raut said the MVA government will study the judgement and then respond. "No investigating agency is an incarnation of God. The issue is political, too. Our tradition is that we honour decisions of the judiciary," the Sena MP said. The judgement needs to be studied in detail after which Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray or someone from the government would respond on his behalf, Raut said.
17:50 PM to interact with CMs on Thursday over COVID situation
Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chief ministers on Thursday to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive, sources said Monday.
Modi's last interaction with chief ministers was on March 17 during which he had expressed concern over the rise in COVID-19 cases in parts of the country and called for "quick and decisive" steps to check the "emerging second peak".
Coronavirus cases in India hit a record daily high since the outbreak of the pandemic with 1,03,558 new infections pushing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,25,89,067, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
At a high-level meeting with senior officials, Prime Minister Modi had on Sunday reviewed the COVID-19 situation and vaccination exercise in the country amid the "alarming rate of growth" in infections and deaths. Modi had said the five-fold strategy of testing, tracing, treatment, COVID-appropriate behaviour and vaccination, if implemented with utmost seriousness and commitment, would be effective in curbing the spread of the pandemic, according to an official statement that was released after the meeting.
The reasons for the sharp rise in cases could be mainly attributed to the severe decline in compliance of COVID-appropriate behaviour, especially in the use of masks and social distancing, pandemic fatigue and lack of effective implementation of containment measures at the field level, according to the statement. A special campaign for COVID-appropriate behaviour with emphasis on 100 percent mask usage, personal hygiene and sanitation at public places, workplaces and health facilities will be organised between April 6-14, the statement had said. In the meeting, the prime minister had highlighted the need to enforce the COVID-appropriate behaviour in the coming days and ensure the availability of beds, testing facilities and timely hospitalisation.
17:36 Kejri: Can get Delhi vaccinated in 3 months if...
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking relaxed norms for opening vaccination centres, and asserted that all people here can be vaccinated against the coronavirus within three months if requisite permission is granted.
"The increased transmission of Corona across the country has presented a new concern and challenge. We will have to move the vaccination campaign more rapidly," he said in his letter to the prime minister.
Kejriwal demanded relaxation of norms for opening vaccination centers and removal of age limit for getting inoculated. If the rules for opening new centers are simplified and everyone is allowed to get vaccinated, the Delhi government can inoculate all Delhi residents in three months, he claimed.
17:08 No one ever succeeded by intimidating Bengalis: Jaya
Update: In an apparent dig at the BJP, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan said on Monday that no one has ever succeeded by "intimidating" Bengalis. Addressing a press conference at the Trinamool Congress headquarters here, the veteran actor hailed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asserting that she was fighting a battle all alone for democracy in Bengal.
Bachchan said that she was in West Bengal to campaign for the TMC on the instruction of her party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
"Mamata is fighting all alone against the atrocities, and for democratic rights of the people of Bengal. Her leg is broken, but she is still fighting," Bachchan said.
She said no one has ever succeeded by "intimidating" Bengalis, in an apparent dig, targetting the BJP.
"Bengalis never bow their heads before threat or intimidation," she added. Bachchan said shame on them who are criticising Banerjee.
"She is fighting for the rights and respect of the people of Bengal. This is is the safest state for women. Those who are criticising her, I would only say shame, shame!" she said. PTI
Rahul Gandhi rides an auto in Wayanad yesterday
17:05 52K cops, drones, for Kerala polls tomorrow
Kerala heads for a single-phase assembly elections on Tuesday under the security of 59,292 police personnel and 140 companies of central forces.
Kerala Police chief Loknath Behra had on Saturday said that all security arrangements have been finalised for the smooth conduct of the assembly polls with a total of 59,292 police personnel and a drone system to detect crowds and obstruction of voters in the hinterlands on polling day. Behra had said that the entire state will be divided into special security zones and police will be deployed under the leadership of senior officers.
Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena had earlier said that 140 companies of central forces have reached the state for the election, adding that the poll body is fully geared up to conduct free, fair, independent and credible election in the state.
"Detailed guidelines have been issued for the political parties, for voters, officers to maintain the social distancing as well as to provide all the COVID kits at the polling booths," he said.
The central forces include personnel from CISF, CRPF and BSF. Central forces, especially trained to deal with violent mobs, have also been provided with weapons, including automatic rifles. This is the first time that so many central forces are deployed for elections.
The security arrangements are being made under the leadership of the district police chiefs, dividing 481 police stations in the state into 142 election subdivisions.
"A total of 59,292 police personnel, including 24,788 special police officers, are providing security for the polls. These include 4405 sub-inspectors, 784 inspectors and 258 DySPs. There will be 34,504 officers on the rank of civil police officer and senior civil police officer," a press statement from Kerala Police said.
"The drone system will be used to detect crowds and obstruction of voters in the hinterlands on polling day. The footage collected by the drone will soon be handed over to the police patrol party and the culprits will be caught."
The police said that officers from the crime branch, vigilance, railway police, officers from the fire force, excise, forest, Marine Enforcement, Motor Vehicles department, officers from police battalions and training centres have also been deployed for monitoring the elections.
"There will be 1694 group patrol teams connecting 13,830 places where polling booths are located. Polling booths in eight or ten places are arranged in such a way that a team can move around within a maximum of 15 minutes. Each team will have a videographer. In addition, a Law and Order Patrol Team comprising Central Army personnel has been deployed at each police station and a special patrol team has been deployed in each Election Sub Division under the leadership of the DySP to maintain law and order. The Special Operations Group and Thunderbolt will be on 24-hour vigil in Naxal-hit areas," read the statement.
16:54 Family awaits CRPF jawan missing in Naxal attack
Family of CRPF jawan Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, who was part of the party that was attacked by naxals in Chhattisgarh and has been missing, awaits his return. His cousin Govind Singh says, "We've been told by the control room that he's still missing and they are looking for him."
16:45 They haven't been able to break Didi's heart: Jaya
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Bachchan in Kolkata: "My party leader Akhilesh Yadav has asked me to come here to give my support to TMC. I have the utmost love and respect for Mamataji, a single woman fighting against all atrocities.
"Head broken, leg broken but they have not been able to break her heart, brain, and her determination to move ahead and make Bengal one of the best in the world. I believe, whatever Mamataji wants to do, she will do it. "
Jaya is expected to campaign for the TMC candidate from Tollygunje.
Earlier, Babul Supriyo, the BJP candidate from Tollygunge, said, "I welcome her (Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan) in West Bengal. I won't talk about family relations with her but she knows me very well. She will speak against BJP but she will never say anything against me."
Jaya Bachchan's visit to the Bengal comes after after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to opposition party leaders to campaign against the BJP in the Assembly polls.
Banerjee called "for a united and effective struggle against the BJP's attacks on democracy and Constitution" and suggested that a meeting should be held after the assembly polls to "deliberate the issues and chart out a plan of action". She had also sent the letter to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
16:42 Will be in big trouble if we don't win Hooghly: Mamata
Admitting wrongdoings by sitting TMC MLAs Tapan Majumdar and Tapan Dasgupta of Chunchura and Saptagram respectively, who have been fielded by the ruling party, Mamata Banerjee today asked voters to forgive them and give them an opportunity "as they will not do it again".
"We will be in big problem if we do not win from Hooghly district," she said.
The TMC, which had a sway over most of the 18 assembly seats in Hooghly district till the 2016 assembly polls, lost a lot of ground to the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She claimed that the Centre has refused permission to the TMC government in the state to take over the closed Jessop and Dunlop Industries situated in Hooghly district, leaving thousands of employees of these two companies, in the lurch. PTI
Uddhav said he was worried about lack of healthcare workers
16:06 'Enlist fresh MBBS grads to tackle Covid in Maha'
Social activist Amrut Bang on Monday said the Maharashtra government must enlist services of 2,900 MBBS doctors who have completed there course in March- April this year in order to tackle the surge in COVID-19 cases.
On April 2, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had spoken about the relentless rise in COVID-19 cases having the potential to put the state's health infrastructure under severe strain. "We will increase the number of beds, ventilators, oxygen but what about health professionals? How will we get more manpower? In the last one year, most of them have suffered from COVID," the CM had said in a live webcast.
Speaking to PTI, Bang said, "Around 2,900 doctors who have completed their MBBS course and internship from various state and civic run medical colleges will be available in March-April 2021. They have also signed a bond that they would work for the state health services for one year."
"If the state government so wishes, these 2,900 doctors can be available for the fight against COVID-19," he added. Bang also claimed the state government can create funds for the COVID-19 fight by recovering at least Rs 500 crore from doctors who have defaulted on this bond over the past three to four years. PTI
15:57 Personal details of 533 million Facebook users leaked online
Personal details of about 533 million Facebook users globally, including 6.1 million from India, were allegedly leaked online and posted for free on hacking forums, according to a cybersecurity executive.
The leaked details allegedly include names, phone numbers and other details of users of Facebook, a social media giant that had 2.80 billion monthly active users (MUAs) as of December 31, 2020.
"All 533,000,000 Facebook records were just leaked for free. This means that if you have a Facebook account, it is extremely likely the phone number used for the account was leaked," Alon Gal, co-founder and chief technical officer of cybersecurity firm Hudson Rock, has said in a tweet flagging the issue.
A list of countries that was shared in the tweet, showed that information of 6.1 million users from India, 32.3 million from the US, 11.5 million from the UK and 7.3 million from Australia, was part of the leaked data. When contacted, a Facebook company spokesperson said: "This is old data that was previously reported on in 2019. We found and fixed this issue in August 2019".
15:55 Guv Koshyari gets 2nd jab
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari receives second shot of anti-COVID vaccine at Sir JJ Group of Hospitals in Mumbai.
15:53 Nadda holds road show in Kolkata
BJP chief JP Nadda holds a roadshow from Tollygunge Tram Depot to Garia junction in Kolkata. The third phase of the eight-phase West Bengal polls will be held tomorrow.
Doctors have warned of an unprecedented rise in Covid-19 cases in Bengal due to the polls.
15:46 Govt more concerned with image than saving lives: AAP
"Government exported more vaccine doses than it administered to the citizens. To improve his image at global level, PM Modi took the decision and exported over 64.5 million vaccine doses to 84 countries. Govt is more concerned about its image than saving people's lives," Raghav Chadha, AAP, bells the cat.
15:32 NCP's Dilip Walse-Patil likely to be Maha HM
NCP veteran and Labour and Excise Minister Dilip Walse-Patil may get the Home Department.
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh resigned on Monday after the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of extortion against him by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh. Deshmukh submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, NCP minister Nawab Malik told reporters.
Deshmukh also tweeted a copy of the letter, in which he said the high court had passed an order for a preliminary probe by the CBI into the petition filed by advocate Jayshri Patil into the allegations.
"I don't have the moral right to continue in office after the court order.I have decided to quit. Kindly relieve me from my post," Deshmukh's resignation letter said.
15:11 Spike in COVID-19 cases: Leaves of doctors, nurses in Kashmir Valley cancelled
Authorities in Kashmir on Monday ordered cancellation of leaves of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff in the valley hospitals in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases in the union territory. In an order issued in Srinagar, Director Health Services, Kashmir, asked all the chief medical officers/medical superintendents and other territorial offices falling within the jurisdiction of the Directorate to cancel the leaves amid upsurge of the pandemic.
All the leaves either sanctioned or under consideration at Directorate level or at respective offices of CMO's and other DDO's in respect of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and other official of this Department are here by cancelled forth with except maternity leave and leave taken in view of extreme medical exigencies, the order said.
The director also directed the chief medical officers/medical superintendents and other territorial offices to refrain from forwarding any kind of leave to his office till further orders. Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a spike in daily cases over the last few weeks.
The Lieutenant Governor's office on Sunday also ordered closure of schools up to class 9 for two weeks and class 10 to 12 for a week. -- PTI
15:02 Maharashtra HM Anil Deshmukh resigns
Maharashtra Home minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday resigned from the post after the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe into corruption charges levelled against him. The Bombay High earlier today ordered a CBI probe into the graft charged against him by former Mumbai Police chief Param Bir Singh. The court directed the central agency to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days.
"Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has resigned," NCP minister Nawab Malik said. He added that Deshmukh met NCP chief Sharad Pawar soon after the Bombay HC's order.
Deshmukh sent his resignation to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who heads an alliance government of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress. In his letter penned in Marathi, Deshmukh said he is stepping down on 'moral grounds' after the Bombay High Court's order.
14:38 NIA seizes high-end bike belonging to Waze aide
The National Investigation Agency has seized a high-end bike, suspected to be registered in the name of an alleged woman associate of API Sachin Waze, arrested for his alleged role in planting an explosives-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, an official said on Monday.
Sleuths of the NIA brought the bike in a tempo to its office in south Mumbai on Monday, he said.
The woman, an alleged associate of suspended assistant police inspector Waze, was questioned by the NIA on Friday, sources said.
The probe agency had on Thursday searched a flat in Mira Road area which was in the woman's possession, they said.
The NIA suspects she accompanied Waze to a city-based hotel on February 16, before the explosives-laden SUV was found near Ambani's residence 'Antilia' in Mumbai on February 25, the sources said.
The NIA had earlier seized eight high-end vehicles used by Waze, who was arrested in the case last month.
The NIA is also conducting a probe into the death of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of the SUV before it was found with explosives near Ambani's house.
Hiran was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5. -- PTI
A sweetmaker adds finishing touches to a mud figure of the CM
13:56 Will win Bengal on 1 leg, Delhi on both: Mamata
West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee in Debanandapur, Hooghly: "I will win Bengal on one leg and in the future, will get victory in Delhi on two legs."
Asserting that she was winning the election from Nandigram, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that she does not need his "suggestion" on contesting from an alternate seat.
The prime minister had on Thursday asked Banerjee to clarify whether there is truth in "rumours" that she would file her nomination for another seat going to the polls in the last phase, maintaining that the TMC chief has admitted defeat in Nandigram.
Security personnel at the spot of the attack in Jagdalpur
13:55 Govt determined to end Naxal menace, says HM Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the government is determined to take the ongoing fight against the unrest created by naxals to its logical conclusion. The minister, who is on a visit to Chhattisgarh, made the comment after paying tributes to the 22 security personnel who were killed by naxals in the state on Saturday.
"Paid tributes to the brave security personnel who were martyred while fighting the naxalites at Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
"The country will never forget your bravery and sacrifice. The whole country stands behind the bereaved families. We are determined to take the ongoing fight against the unrest created by the naxals to its logical conclusion," said Shah.
The minister will chair a meeting at the Police Coordination Centre in Jagdalpur to review the security situation arising out of Saturday's incident and also meet some of the injured security personnel in hospitals, an official said. Thirty security personnel were injured in the ambush by naxals and were admitted to different hospitals in the state, officials had said on Sunday.
After arriving in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur town from Delhi, Shah paid his last respects at the Police Lines, where the mortal remains of 14 personnel were kept in coffins draped with the national flag. Besides Shah, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and other dignitaries also laid wreaths on the coffins. This is Shah's first visit to the Bastar region of the state after assuming charge of Union home minister, an official said.
Sweets in Bengal depicting the three-way poll contest
13:34 TMC obstructed poll meet, says BJP
A day before phase III voting in West Bengal, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) levelled charges against Trinamool Congress (TMC) for obstructing an election meeting in Kamarhati Assembly constituency of North 24 Parganas district on Monday.
According to BJP, TMC-backed miscreants disrupted the meeting on Sunday night. It is also alleged that TMC-backed miscreants burned down the hoardings and BJP flags.
However, Belgharia Police rushed to the spot after receiving a complaint to control the situation and evacuated people of both parties.
The TMC and BJP are at loggerheads in the poll-bound West Bengal. Polling for the first two phases of the West Bengal elections were held on March 27 and April 1 respectively. The next phase of polling will take place on April 6. -- ANI
13:04 Vicky Kaushal tests positive for Covid-19
Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The actor on Monday informed his fans via a social media post, urging all those who came in contact with him to get tested.
The news comes soon after actor Bhumi Pednekar revealed that she had tested positive for the deadly infection.
The 'Raazi' actor took to his Instagram handle and shared a statement informing fans about his current health condition. Vicky wrote, "In spite of all care and precautions, unfortunately, I have tested positive for COVID-19. Following all essential protocols, I am under home quarantine, taking medication as prescribed by my doctor."
13:01 Dassault paid middleman 1 million euros for Rafale deal: Expose
In an investigative report, Mediapart has reported that in the 2016 7.8-billion-euro deal between India and France for 36 Rafale jet fighter, Dassault also agreed to pay one million euros to a middleman who is now under investigation in India in connection with another defence deal.
In the first part of Mediapart's expose, Yann Philippin reports that the French anti-corruption agency Agence Francaise Anticorruption (AFA) discovered this separate arrangement during a routine audit of Dassault, here.
In the first part of Mediapart's expose, Yann Philippin reports that the French anti-corruption agency Agence Francaise Anticorruption (AFA) discovered this separate arrangement during a routine audit of Dassault, here.
12:54 SBI hikes home loan rate to 6.95 pc
Country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has revised its home loan rate to 6.95 per cent effective April 1. With the revision, the lowest rate of 6.70 per cent regime for limited period ended in March 31.
During the limited period, the bank offered home loan starting from 6.70 per cent for loans up to Rs 75 lakh and 6.75 per cent for loans in the range of Rs 75 lakh-Rs 5 crore.
As per information posted on its website, the new rate effective April 1 is 6.95 per cent. Compared to teaser rate for the limited period, the new rate is 25 basis points higher at 6.95 per cent. The hike in minimum home loan rate by SBI is likely to prompt other lenders to follow suit.
12:48 Can't vaccinate IPL players due to age bar: Malik
Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik says IPL permission has been granted, and matches will be played with restrictions.
"People are not allowed to sit in the stadium, only relays can be done. Players and others involved in IPL will be required to isolate themselves at the same place. The BCCI has demanded that all players should be vaccinated (for IPL), but as per ICMR guidelines, age limit is 45 years+ . Until and unless it issues new guidelines, we can't vaccinate. As soon as we get permission, more people will be vaccinated."
12:32 Suspicious object at Raisina Road in Delhi
A suspicious object has been found near the National Media Centre near Raisina Road in New Delhi on Monday morning, according to the Delhi Police. The dog squad of Delhi Police has reached the spot. Further details are awaited.
Representational image
12:14 Covid-19 affecting children more than in first wave, says pediatrician
India reported more than one lakh daily coronavirus cases for the first time on Monday with cases surging during the second wave of the pandemic.
According to Dr Subash Rao, Consultant Pediatrician at Reliance Hospital and Fortis Hospital, Navi Mumbai, the Covid-19 virus has undergone a double mutation (changes in genetic structure), and the current strain is highly infectious infecting many people, especially children.
Answering the most frequent queries of parents about the impact of Coronavirus on children, Dr Rao said that a reverse trend is being seen in the second wave where children develop symptoms before the adults.
"The second wave of Covid is known to affect the children much more than in the first wave. Also, a reverse trend is being seen that is - children develop symptoms first, and then adults are getting it from them. The difference is while in the first wave most of the children were asymptomatic, in the second wave they are coming with symptoms like fever, cold, dry cough, loose motions, vomiting, not feeding well, fatigue, loss of appetite, among other common symptoms. Few may also have breathing difficulties and rashes like any other viral fever," he said.
"Also another reason of rising infection among children is increasing exposure due to playing outdoor, travelling and inappropriate behaviour and laxity," he added.
The pediatrician said that if a child is showing symptoms of Covid-19 infection, an RT PCR test should be done by the second day.
"Don't delay or hesitate out of fear to do the test. Early diagnosis helps in early treatment. In case of an asymptomatic child with both parents Covid-19 positive, there is no need for a test but they should be kept in home quarantine for 14 days," he told the parents.
The doctor said if a child had a fever for two days, but recovered later, they should be home quarantined for 14 days unless they were tested for Covid-19 and their report is negative on the fifth day. -- ANI
Fast-rising Covid cases are cramping the markets
12:09 Investors lose Rs 4.54 lakh cr as market crashes
Investors' wealth tumbled over Rs 4.54 lakh crore in morning trade on Monday as markets crashed amid a sharp spike in coronavirus cases in the country.
The 30-share BSE benchmark index plummeted 1,449.03 points to 48,580.80 in morning trade. Following this, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies dived Rs 4,54,987.72 crore to Rs 2,02,71,414.07 crore.
From the 30-share pack, 27 companies were trading lower led by banking companies -- IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, State Bank of India, Axis Bank and HDFC.
"The fundamental factors influencing markets are changing fast. There are both positives and negatives. ... the fast-rising COVID cases is a cause of concern. Restriction of economic activity in many areas might impact growth recovery. But, as of now, there are no signs of a slowdown in the economy," V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.
Former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh
12:00 HC asks CBI to probe Param Bir Singh's allegations against Deshmukh
Update: The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into allegations of corruption and misconduct made by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni said this was an "extraordinary" and "unprecedented" case that warranted an independent inquiry.
It directed the Central Bureau of Investigation's director to complete the preliminary inquiry within 15 days and then take a decision on further course of action.
The bench was presiding over three public interest litigations, including one filed by Singh himself, another by city-based lawyer Jayshree Patil, and the third by teacher Mohan Bhide, seeking various reliefs. The bench disposed of all the three pleas.
On March 25, Singh filed a criminal public interest litigation seeking a CBI probe against Deshmukh, who he claimed asked police officers, including suspended cop Sachin Waze, to collect Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants. The minister has denied any wrongdoing. PTI
11:58 Bhumi contracts Covid
Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar on Monday confirmed that she has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently under home quarantine.The 'Bala' actor took to her Instagram handle and shared a post informing fans about the news.
Bhumi wrote, "I HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. As of today, I have mild symptoms, but am feeling ok and have isolated myself. I am following the protocol given by my doctor and health professionals. If you have been in contact with me, request you to please get tested immediately. Requesting people to practice caution," she added, "Steam, Vit - C, Food and a Happy Mood are my go-to. Please don't take the current situation lightly, even though I followed utmost precaution and care I've contracted it. Wear a mask, keep washing your hands, maintain social distancing and be mindful of your general behaviour."
Recently, Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Paresh Rawal, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Rohit Saraf, among others had tested positive for COVID-19.
11:56 Naxal op incompetently executed: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the operation against Naxals in Chhattisgarh, in which 22 security personnel were killed, was "incompetently" executed and "poorly designed".
"Our jawans are not cannon fodder to be martyred at will," Gandhi said on Twitter.
Out of the 22 fatalities in the Saturday Naxal attack in the state, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) lost eight men, including seven CoBRA commandos, while one jawan is from the Bastariya battalion, eight from the DRG and five from the Special Task Force.
Citing a media report quoting CRPF Director General Kuldeep Singh as saying there was no intelligence failure in the operation and an equal number of ultras were killed, Gandhi said, "If there was no intelligence failure then a 1:1 death ratio means it was a poorly designed and incompetently executed operation."
Officials on Sunday had said that a CRPF inspector is still missing. Thirty-one security personnel were also injured in the ambush by naxals. The security personnel were ambushed by naxals when they were out on a combing operation in a forest along the border of the Bijapur and Sukma districts of the state.
Director General Singh had acknowledged that his personnel were "surprised and ambushed" during the attack on Saturday that lasted several hours. Other officials in the know of the developments said the forces may have been waylaid by the naxals. PTI
Petitioner Dr Jaishri Patil
11:52 HC asks CBI to begin probe against Param Bir
On a petition of Dr Jaishri Patil, Bombay HC asks the CBI to start a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into corruption allegations of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. While hearing Dr Jaishri Patil's plea regarding allegations of Param Bir Singh, court says Anil Deshmukh is the Home Minister and no impartial probe can be done by the police.
Bombay High Court has asked the CBI director to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days and to register an FIR if any cognizable offence is found.
11:14 Naxal ambush: HM pays respects to 14 martyrs
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel lay wreaths at the coffins of 14 security personnel who lost their lives in the Naxal attack, in Jagdalpur.
A group of an estimated 400 Maoists had ambushed security personnel who were part of a large contingent deployed for a special operation, leading to the killing of at least 22 personnel and injuries to 30 others, official sources said on Sunday
They said the contingent of about 1,500 troops drawn from CRPF'S specialised jungle warfare unit CoBRA, some teams from its regular battalions, a unit of its Bastariya battalion, the Chhattisgarh Police affiliated District Reserve Guard and others had launched a search and destroy operation along the border of Bijapur-Sukma district around noon after they got inputs of some Maoists presence in the area.
At least 400 Naxals, an officer said, led by the most wanted Maoist commander and leader of the so-called 'People's Liberation Guerrilla Army battalion no 1'-- Hidma-- and his associate Sujatha are suspected to be behind the Saturday's ambush that took place in an area that is a strong-hold of the ultras due to the difficult terrain, large tracts of forests and less number of security forces camps.
The Maoists rained bullets from light machine guns and used low-intensity improvised explosive devices to mount the attack that went on till evening.
He said that the Maoists carried their dead, estimated to be about 10-12, on tractor trolleys.
11:04 HM in Chhattisgarh
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in Jagdalpur, received by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
10:57 Sensex slumps 1200+ points amid Covid fears
Update: Sensex slumps over 1,200 points to trade at around 48,818, Nifty falls over 330 points to around 14,540.
Coronavirus cases in India hit a record daily high since the the outbreak of the pandemic with 1,03,558 new infections pushing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,25,89,067, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The single-day rise in cases surpassed the earlier peak of 97,894 infections reported on September 17, last year, making it the highest so far. The death toll increased to1,65,101 with 478 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. Last year, it took 76 days for the single-day rise in coronavirus cases in India to reach the then peak of 97,894 from 20,000.
However, this time the daily rise in cases have galloped at a much faster pace taking just 25 days (March 10 to April 4) to cross the grim milestone of one-lakh infections.
10:53 HM, CM to attend wreath-laying ceremony of martyrs
Chhattisgarh Naxal attack: Wreath-laying ceremony for 14 security personnel to be held in Jagdalpur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel to attend the ceremony.
Speeding up vaccination is the only way out of the crisis
10:50 Nifty drops below 15K amid Covid worries
Equity benchmark indices were on a downswing during early hours on Monday amid worries over rapidly increasing Covid-19 cases in the country.At 10:15 am, the BSE S&P Sensex was down by 1,046 points or 2.09 per cent at 49,984 while the Nifty 50 edged lower by 249 points or 1.67 per cent to 14,618.
Except for Nifty IT which jumped by 1.8 per cent, all other sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were in the red with Nifty private bank down by 2 per cent, PSU bank and financial service by 1.9 per cent each, realty by 1.4 per cent and auto by 0.8 per cent.
Among stocks, IndusInd Bank lost by 3.6 per cent to Rs 962.05 per share while Axis Bank was down by 2.4 per cent and ICICI Bank by 2.2 per cent.
State Bank of India fell by 2.3 per cent, Bajaj Finance by 3.6 per cent and Bajaj Finserv by 2 per cent. Home loan lender dropped by 2.3 per cent to Rs 2,472.90 per unit.
However, IT software major Infosys was up by 2.5 per cent, Wipro by 2.2 per cent and HCL Technologies by 2 per cent. Wipro, Britannia, JSW Steel and Cipla too traded with a positive bias
10:27 Prisoners in MP jail get vaccinated
Prisoners of Central Jail in Gwalior are being vaccinated for COVID-19. "We are vaccinating all above 45 years of age," said Manoj Sahu, Central Jail Superintendent. India recorded an all-time high of 1,03,558 coronavirus infections in a day pushing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,25,89,067, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The single-day rise in cases surpassed the earlier peak of 97,894 infections reported on September 17, last year, making it the highest since the pandemic began in India, while the death toll increased to1,65,101 with 478 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
10:22 Dadar vegetable market this morning
Covid? What Covid? Shoppers at a vegetable market in Dadar, Mumbai, flout Covid-19 protocol and government imposed Sec 144, as they buy provisions this morning. Mumbai reported 11,163 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths yesterday. The state govt has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC between 7 am and 8 pm, banning the gathering of more than five people at a place.
10:16 India's daily Covid cases cross 1L for 1st time
India reports 1,03,558 new COVID-19 cases, 52,847 discharges, and 478 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry.
Total cases: 1,25,89,067
Total recoveries: 1,16,82,136
Active cases: 7,41,830
Death toll: 1,65,101
Total vaccination: 7,91,05,163
09:22 Amit Shah to visit Bijapur Naxal attack site
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Monday visit the site where Naxals attacked security personnel at the Sukma-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh.
Shah will also meet the injured jawans at the hospital.
At least 22 security personal have lost their lives in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur Naxal attack on Saturday.
"22 security personnel have lost their lives in the Naxal attack at Sukma-Bijapur in Chhattisgarh," said Bijapur Superintendent of Police, Kamalochan Kashyap.
Around 31 sustained injuries in the encounter in Bijapur on Saturday, Chhattisgarh Police said.
Director-General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Kuldiep Singh, who is in Chhattisgarh to monitor the situation following the Naxal attack, on Sunday said that there was absolutely no intelligence or operational failure in the operation.
Singh informed that around 25-30 Naxals were also killed though the exact number is yet to be ascertained.
"There is no point in saying that there was some kind of intelligence or operational failure. Had it been some intelligence failure, forces would have not gone for the operation. And if there was some operational failure, so many Naxals would have not been killed," DG CRPF told ANI.
Speaking on casualties of Naxals in the encounter, the DG said, "Three tractors were used by Naxals to carry injured and dead bodies of Naxals from the site. It is tough to say right now the exact number of Naxals killed in the operation but it should not be less than 25-30," he added. -- ANI
08:53 UP CM Yogi Adityanath receives first jab of Covid vaccine
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday received his first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine at Civil Hospital in Lucknow and urged people to take all precautions amind growing cases of coronavirus.
"I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Ministry for making the vaccine available free of cost. I also thank the scientists of the country. The vaccine is completely safe. We all should take it when our turn comes," Adityanath said after taking the first dose.
"I appeal to the people to take all precautions even after taking the vaccine. The new COVID-19 wave is the result of our complacency in observing COVID appropriate behaviour," he added.
On Sunday, in view of the increase in COVID-19 cases, Ghaziabad District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey had issued an order directing commercial complexes, cinemas, malls, hotels, restaurants, and parks in Ghaziabad to have a token system for visitors with entry and exit timings and allow people only according to their capacity.
At present, Uttar Pradesh has 16,496 active cases. -- ANI
08:34 NCP workers crowd meeting, organiser booked
In violation of COVID-19 norms, a large number of Nationalist Congress Party workers, many of them without wearing a face mask, on Sunday attended a bypoll meeting in Pandharpur town in Solapur district of Maharashtra which was addressed by state unit president and minister Jayant Patil.
Police on Sunday night registered a case against NCP's Pandharpur taluka president Vijay Deshmukh, who had organised the event, for violating COVID-19 rules under section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, an officer said.
Addressing the meeting, Patil, who removed his mask while speaking, had sarcastically said, 'it seems coronavirus has left the world as I can see your faces (without masks)'.
This meeting was held at a time when the local administration has imposed strict measures like the closure of shops and commercial establishments on weekends because of the rise in cases.
"After seeing your faces, I am pretty sure that there is no corona (virus) in the world now...so I am also removing my mask while speaking," Patil told the gathering.
When queried about his remarks after the event, Patil told reporters that he spoke sarcastically.
"Whatever I said (at the meeting) was sarcasm. People were sitting in the meeting as if COVID-19 has ended. No one was wearing a face mask. During my speech, I also talked about the serious situation caused by a surge in infections in Maharashtra," he said.
The meeting was held ahead of the Pandharpur- Mangalvedha Assembly bypoll scheduled to be held on April 17.
Patil also added that rallies were held in the state but no one wears a mask.
"People are behaving as if they will never contract COVID-19 or they might be thinking that all of them are vaccinated. But this is not right," he added. -- PTI
IMAGE: An artist creates a mural of the Monalisa wearing a mask to spread awareness for the prevention of coronavirus in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo
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