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Tue, 06 April 2021
India has given over 8.4 cr Covid vaccine doses
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23:32 India has given over 8.4 cr Covid vaccine doses
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country have crossed 8.40 crore, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday.
These include 89,60,966 healthcare workers who have taken the first dose and 53,77,011 HCWs who have taken the second dose of the vaccine. A total of 97,30,304 frontline workers have received the first dose and 42,68,788 FLWs the second dose.
Besides 2,00,51,197 and 3,96,769 beneficiaries, from 45 years to 59 years old, have been administered the first and second doses, respectively, while 3,44,18,802 and 8,61,520 beneficiaries above 60 years have been given the first and second doses, respectively, it said.
"A total of 8,40,65,357 vaccine doses have been given so far in the country," said the provisional report till 8 pm on Tuesday.
The ministry said 5,62,807 vaccine doses were given till 8 pm on Tuesday, the eighty-first day of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination programme. Out of which, 4,57,749 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 1,05,058 beneficiaries received the second dose of the vaccine as per the provisional report.
It said final reports would be completed for the day by late night.
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated and vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2.
The next phase of the drive commenced from March 1 for those over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1.
-- PTI
22:54 No plan to end Kumbh Mela despite Covid surge
Despite the spike in COVID-19 cases, the Union health ministry does not plan to end the holy congregation, Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, prematurely and is hoping that standard operating procedures are being followed there.
On being asked if Kumbh Mela can be a super-spreader of COVID-19, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, "As the super spreader events are concerned, the union government almost a month ago issued an SOP, specifically for practices to be adopted in Kumbh and had a long meeting with the state government's officers."
"One fact that we usually lose sight of is that the duration of Kumbh has already been curtailed, Kumbh wherever it happens is usually for three and a half to four months, the present Kumbh has been curtailed to a month," he added.
Dr VK Paul, the Member (Health) of the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog said, "We hope that the Standard Operating Procedures issued for Kumbh Mela is being followed."
A senior official in the Central government, during a secretary-level meeting over the COVID-19 situation in the country on Monday, expressed apprehension that the ongoing Kumbh might become a "super spreader", according to a top source in the government.
The source said the government is worried about the Kumbh and discussed this at a high-level meeting on Monday.
"If the government does not decide to end Kumbh before the stipulated time, it may become a COVID-19 'super spreader'," a member in the high-level meeting said.
"The government is forming a team that will appeal to all with the help of sadhus and religious leaders to ensure pilgrims, who are visiting the Kumbh, wear masks and follow social distancing," the source said.
-- ANI
22:39 Delhi Metro advises commuters to complete journey by 10 pm
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Tuesday said commuters, who do not fall under essential category, would not be allowed to use the services during the night curfew and advised them to complete their journey before 10 pm.
The Kejriwal government has imposed seven hours of night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am with immediate effect till April 30 as the coronavirus cases continue to soar in Delhi.
The city recorded 5,100 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, while 17 more people succumbed to the infection, the Health Department said.
"In view of the imposition of night curfew in Delhi starting tonight, entry in Metro from 10 pm to 5 am will be allowed only to those passengers who fall in essential category, as per govt order, after verification of their valid IDs by DMRC and CISF personnel," the DMRC said in a statement.
It advised the commuters who do not fall in essential category to complete the journey and reach there destination by 10 pm.
The exemptions include those travelling to and from airports, railway stations, state bus terminus; pregnant women, patients, officials related to the functioning of offices of diplomats and those holding any constitutional post on the production of valid identity card.
Central and Delhi government officials involved in emergency services like health, police, prisons, home guards and civil defence would also be exempted.
People travelling during curfew hours for COVID-19 vaccination will require a soft or hard copy of an e-pass, which can be obtained from the Delhi government website.
-- PTI
22:12 Maharashtra sees 55,469 new COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 55,469 fresh coronavirus positive cases, the second highest spike in the last two days, taking the tally of infections to
31,13,354while 297 deaths pushed the toll to 56,330, the state health department said.
Maharashtra is now left with 4,72,283 active cases.
Mumbai recorded 10,040 new cases and 32 deaths.
At the same time, 34,256 people were discharged on Tuesday, taking the count of the recoveries in the state to 25,83,331, the department said in a release.
The state'srecovery rate now stands at 82.98 per cent and the fatality rate is 1.81 per cent.
Maharashtra had reported the highest spike in daily cases on Sunday, when it added over 57,000 infections.
With 2,01,693 new tests, the number of samples tested so far in Maharashtra has gone up to 2,09,17,486, it said.
-- PTI
21:46 Attorney General K K Venugopal has quarantined himself
A law officer on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that Attorney General K K Venugopal would not be available to assist it in a case related to saving the endangered Great Indian Bustard as he has quarantined himself after a family member of his associate tested COVID-19 positive.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde, hearing a PIL pertaining to the Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican, was told by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that the top law officer was unavailable on Tuesday.
"I would be assisting my lords as the learned AG has quarantined himself," she said, adding that a relative of one of his staff tested positive to the viral infection.
Venugopal has been assisting the top court on issues, including laying of underground cables and source of its funding for protecting the endangered birds.
-- PTI
21:22 EC issues notice to DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin
The Election Commission of India has issued a notice to Dravida Munnetra Kazagham's Udhayanidhi Stalin seeking an explanation by April 7 over his statement on former union ministers late Sushma Swaraj & Arun Jaitley at a rally.
At an election rally earlier, Stalin claimed that Swaraj and Jaitley died as they could not handle the pressure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi put on them.
He made the comment while targeting Modis remark that the DMK scions entry into politics had come at the cost of senior leaders of the party. The DMK leader, who is contesting the Chepauk-Triplicane constituency for the first time in the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, accused Modi himself of sidelining senior leaders of the BJP.
20:57 'Need Rs 3,000 cr to ramp up vaccine production'
Serum Institute of India would require around Rs 3,000 crore to ramp up production capacity for making vaccines for COVID-19, its CEO Adar Poonawalla said on Tuesday.
"We need roughly Rs 3,000 crores which is not a small figure considering we have already spent thousands of crores. We have to find other innovative ways to build our capacity so we can support our nation in light of COVID surge," Poonawalla said in an interview to NDTV tweeted by the channel.
The company hopes to increase its capacity of Covishield to 110 million doses per month from June onwards, he added.
The company is producing 2 million doses per day, Poonawalla said.
"We have delivered over 100 million doses to India alone and exported around 60 million doses to other countries," he added.
Serum Institute along with other vaccine producers have agreed with the government to sacrifice profits. There is no vaccine industry on the planet that has agreed to provide vaccines at such a subsidised price, he added.
In another interview to ET NOW, Poonawalla said that Serum Institute is prioritising temporarily needs of India before others.
The company currently has capacity to produce 60 to 70 million doses per month, he said.
The vaccine industry has sacrificed millions of dollars to support the nation, he added.
-- PTI
20:46 COVID-19 positive Farooq Abdullah getting better
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who was hospitalised last week after testing positive for COVID-19, is responding well to treatment and is getting better, informed his son Omar Abdullah on Tuesday.
"My father has asked me to convey his deep gratitude to all our colleagues for these prayers and all the messages he has been receiving. He is responding well to the treatment and is getting better," Omar said in a tweet.
He also shared images of party workers and supporters across Jammu and Kashmir praying for the leader's speedy recovery.
"NC holds special prayers for speedy recovery of Dr Farooq Abdullah across Jammu and Kashmir Sagar, Kamal lead prayers at Nawa e Subha, similar meetings held at Pir Panjal, Kargil, Jammu, Chenab units," the NC leader had tweeted.
Farooq was admitted to a hospital in Srinagar last Saturday after he tested positive for COVID-19 on March 30.
"Based on the advice of doctors to enable them to better monitor my father, he has been admitted to hospital in Srinagar. Our family remains grateful to everyone for their messages of support and their prayers," Omar had said.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister got diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 30, weeks after he had received his first dose of vaccine against coronavirus at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science in Srinagar on March 2.
-- ANI
20:25 Delhi see 5,100 Covid cases in 24 hours
Delhi has logged 5,100 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, which is its highest single-day Covid figure this year. The sharp rise in cases comes as over a lakh tests were conducted in the national capital in a day for the first time.
The last time the national capital crossed the 5,000 mark was on November 27, when it had reported 5,482 cases.
20:13 Bengal third phase polls: Amid turmoil, polling ends with 77.68% turnout
After a day of turmoil, voting for the third phase of the tightly contested West Bengal assembly elections ended on Tuesday evening with a voter turnout of 77.68 per cent.
According to the Election Commission of India, some instances of violence and brawls were reported in a few areas and some arrests have been made. "One incident happened in Khanakul where a candidate went to different polling stations. There was an altercation between two groups, and four were arrested. In Arambagh, another altercation took place after a candidate reached Arandi and five others were arrested."
The Hooghly district and the Goghat constituency recorded the highest turnout of voters with 79.89 per cent and 84.71 per cent respectively. The districts of Howrah and South 24 Parganas registered a turnout of 77.92 per cent and 76.94 per cent respectively.
-- ANI
19:51 Mumbai's Covid caseload rises by 10,030 cases
Mumbai reported 10,030 novel coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.
The total tally of infections in the financial capital of India rose to 4,72,332, the city civic body said.
With 31 patients succumbing to the COVID-19 infection, the death toll mounted to 11,828, according to the health bulletin.
The recovery rate in Mumbai is 81 per cent while the doubling rate is 38 days.
19:41 Maharashtra traders oppose lockdown restrictions
In Mumbai traders have come out on the streets against the stringent restrictions imposed in the wake of surge in coronavirus cases.
The traders have cpmplained that their business has already been destroyed since last year and the new restrictions will now completely ruin.
Notably, some cities in Maharashtra have already implemented weekend lockdown, night curfew and full lockdown due to which traders are suffering a lot of losses.
The administration's decision to keep all shops closed except for shops connected to the utmost service has forced the traders to take to the streets. The traders not only shouted slogans against the state government but also protested by opening their own shops.
19:07 Harsh Vardhan holds meeting with states on Covid
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan met state health ministers to take stock of covid-19 pandemic situation in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in turn, is holding a review meeting with state chief ministers on Thursday.
The government is concerned as India has been witnessing a rise in daily new cases of covid. Over 96,982 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours. Eight states -- Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat -- have shown a steep rise in covid-19 daily new cases. 80.04% of the new cases are reported from these eight states.
18:47 Covid-positive Kanimozhi casts her vote
DMK MP K Kanimozhi, who has tested positive for COVID-19, casts her vote in PPE kit at a polling station in Mylapore, Chennai.
The Election Commission has designated one hour between 6 pm & 7 pm for voting by COVID positive patients.
Photograph: ANI/Twitter
18:43 India-China military talks on LAC friction possible on April 9
The 11th round of India-China military dialogue may take place on April 9 to resolve the friction at Gogra-Hot Springs and restoring the pre-April 2020 status quo ante along the 1,597-kilometre Line of Actual Control in East Ladakh, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
The Indian Army also wants to resolve long-standing patrolling issues at Depsang Bulge due to friction in the area during the 2013 stand-off with the Peoples Liberation Army.
The dialogue will most probably take place on Friday (April 9) but a confirmation is still awaited from the PLA side, said a senior official. He, however, insisted that there is no delay from the Chinese side.
The last round of military talks to resolve border tensions that began last May was held on February 20. This meeting stretched for 16 hours and ended with two sides agreeing that the Pangong Tso disengagement provided them with a good basis to resolve the outstanding issues at friction points in a steady and orderly manner.
18:22 India's growth rate to jump to 12.5%: IMF
The IMF on Tuesday projected an impressive 12.5 per cent growth rate for India in 2021, stronger than that of China, the only major economy to have a positive growth rate last year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Washington-based global financial institution, in its annual World Economic Outlook ahead of the annual Spring meeting with the World Bank, said the Indian economy is expected to grow by 6.9 per cent in 2022.
Notably in 2020, India's economy contracted by a record eight per cent, the International Monetary Fund said as it projected an impressive 12.5 per cent growth rate for the country in 2021.
China, on the other hand which was the only major economy to have a positive growth rate of 2.3 per cent in 2020, is expected to grow by 8.6 per cent in 2021 and 5.6 per cent in 2022.
Chief Economist at IMF Gita Gopinath said: "We are now projecting a stronger recovery in 2021 and 2022 for the global economy compared to our previous forecast, with growth projected to be 6 per cent in 2021 and 4.4 per cent in 2022."
In 2020, the global economy contracted by 3.3 per cent.
"Nonetheless, the outlook presents daunting challenges related to divergences in the speed of recovery both across and within countries and the potential for persistent economic damage from the crisis," she said in her foreword to the report.
-- PTI
18:07 Gainers and losers as Sensex ekes out slim gains
Stabilising after the previous session's heavy selloff, the 30-share BSE Sensex on Tuesday settled 42.07 points or 0.09 per cent higher at 49,201.39.
Intra-day, it swung around 646 points.
On similar lines, the broader NSE Nifty advanced 45.70 points or 0.31 per cent to 14,683.50.
Asian Paints was the top gainer on the Sensex chart, rising 4.07 per cent, followed by Sun Pharma, HUL, Dr Reddy's, HDFC, Nestle India and M&M.
On the other hand, PowerGrid, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement and ICICI Bank were among the laggards, shedding up to 2.29 per cent.
The IMA has urged the govt to open vaccinations to all adults
17:55 National lockdown can dent GDP by 2%: Report
India's economic recovery is still "shallow" and a month's national lockdown to curb the rising pace of COVID-19 infections can dent the GDP by up to 2 per cent, an American brokerage warned on Tuesday.
Analysts at BofA Securities said there has been a six-times increase in the number of infections to over 1.03 lakh, and state governments have responded with localised lockdowns till now. A national lockdown, which it reckoned as a "last resort", if declared, can have deep impact on the growth process, which is still "shallow", it said.
"We grow even more concerned that rising Covid-19 cases pose a risk to our still shallow recovery...We estimate that a month of national lockdown costs 100-200 bps of annual GDP. Needless to say, this also aggravates fiscal risks," it said.
The country was kept under a lockdown to arrest the spread of COVID-19 infections last fiscal, which is going to be the primary reason for an over 7 per cent contraction in GDP. Analysts are expecting a double-digit GDP growth in FY22 on the base effect.
The brokerage said the infections have crossed the peak and warned that the pace of rise in cases is picking up. In 2020, it took three months for cases to rise from 10,000 levels in mid-June to 90,000 levels in mid-September, whereas in this round, it has taken only six weeks. Overall testing continues to be far from adequate, it said, making it clear that the infections have not risen due to a jump in testing per se.
The death rates are mercifully lower, it said, explaining that the 478 fatalities recorded on Monday were 42 per cent lower than what was observed when the daily cases were at the peak of 97,000. "Given the high economic cost, we expect the Center and State governments to try to contain the spread with the tightening of Covid-19 regulations, night curfews and localized lockdowns," it said. "It remains to be seen if this second wave of Covid 19 cases subsides without a national level lockdown," it added.
17:52 Less than 80% voter turnout in WB, Assam till 5 pm
West Bengal elections: 77.68 per cent voter turnout recorded till 5 pm in 31 seats where polling is underway for third phase
Assam elections: 78.94 per cent of 79.19 lakh voters exercised franchise till 5 pm in 40 assembly seats where polling is underway for third and last phase.
17:48 Farooq Abdullah recovering from Covid: Omar
Former J-K CM Omar Abdullah tweets: "My father has asked me to convey his deep gratitude to all our colleagues for these prayers & all the messages he has been receiving. He is responding well to the treatment and is getting better."
Farooq Abdullah has tested Covid-19 positive.
The National Conference held prayers for his well being across Jammu and Kashmir.
17:46 Sensex: Top gainers and losers
The Sensex and Nifty ended marginally higher on Tuesday after see-saw trade amid concerns over the economic impact of the second wave of coronavirus infections and localised lockdowns in some states. Participants also remained on the sidelines ahead of RBI's policy decision on Wednesday, traders said. Stabilising after the previous session's heavy selloff, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled 42.07 points or 0.09 per cent higher at 49,201.39. Intra-day, it swung around 646 points.
17:34 58% of active Covid cases from Maharashtra
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Tuesday informed that of the top 10 districts having the most active COVID-19 cases in the country, seven are from Maharashtra, one from Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi, each.
Addressing a press conference, Bhushan said, "Of the top 10 districts having most of active COVID cases, seven districts are from Maharashtra, one from Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Delhi each," he said.
India reported over 96,000 cases and 440 related deaths in the last 24 hours. Currently, there are 7,88,223 active cases in the nation.
The Health Secretary further said that death numbers being reported in Punjab and Chhattisgarh are the cause of extreme concern.
"Of all the active cases in the country, 58 per cent of active cases are in Maharashtra. 34 per cent of the total deaths have been reported in Maharashtra," he said.
"We have suggested the state governments to increase the percentage of RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) tests, which is reducing in Maharashtra in the last few weeks. Only 60 per cent of total tests were done through the RT-PCR method in Maharashtra last week. We suggest states take it to 70 per cent or above," Bhushan mentioned.
17:24 Delhi govt is alert; keeping close watch on COVID situation: Jain
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain Tuesday said the AAP government is alert on the pandemic situation here and keeping a "close watch" on it.
Interacting with reporters, he also said over 12 lakh people have been vaccinated in Delhi till date. Jain's remarks on the pandemic situation came hours after the Delhi government imposed night curfew in the national capital from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30 in view of rising COVID-19 cases.
The city had recorded 3,548 fresh cases on Monday, while 15 more people succumbed to the infection taking the death toll to 11,096, according to the Delhi health department. The order for night curfew will continue till April 30. "The positivity rate yesterday was 5.54 per cent, and around 65,000 tests were conducted. Orders were issued to escalate the number of beds in both private and Delhi government hospitals. Almost 5,000 beds are being added for COVID positive cases," he told reporters. So far this year, there has been only one day when the positivity rate had been more than 5 per cent, he said.
"The trend needs to be monitored, and we are keeping a close watch on it. Currently, the positivity rate has crossed the 5 per cent-mark for the entire country. However, in Delhi, we are completely alert and are being cautious," Jain said. He said the trend is being monitored, and the Delhi government is "fully aware". On vaccination front, he said, a record 87,673 people were vaccinated on Monday. Also, 73per cent people have received vaccine at Delhi government hospitals, he added.
17:10 Katrina tests positive for Covid
Actor Katrina Kaif tests positive for COVID-19; she is under home quarantine. In less than a week, actors Bhumi Pednekar, Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Alia Bhatt, Aamir Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, R Madhavan and others contracted the virus.
Empty grounds at Dadar after the new Covid protocols
17:02 PM calls for Jan Bhagidari, Jan Andolan on covid
Health ministry presser: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan:
"We have administered 43 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 24 hours yesterday, which is a record. As a result of today morning, we administered 8.31 crores doses of the vaccine.
"We have deployed 50 high-level multidisciplinary public health teams in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh & Punjab. They will be going to 30 districts of Maharashtra, 11 districts of Chhattisgarh, and 9 districts of Punjab.
"US has a daily average of 30.53 lakh doses of vaccine administration, whereas 26.53 lakhs of vaccine doses are administered in India daily. As per a website, US has administered 16 crore doses in 112 days, while India administered 7.9 crores doses in 79 days.
"Around 4.5% of deaths due to COVID are being reported in Punjab. Compared to Punjab, active cases & death toll are very low in Delhi & Haryana. It is satisfactory that share of RT-PCR tests in average daily tests has increased to 76% in Punjab. They will assist state health department & district administrations in surveillance, control & containment measures. They will be submitting daily reports to state govt & Union Health Ministry.
"Chhattisgarh is a cause of concern for us. Despite being a small state, it reports 6% of total COVID cases & 3% of total deaths in the country. The condition of Chhattisgarh has deteriorated in the second wave of infections."
Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog: "The impact of the pandemic has increased in the country. Warnings were given that the situation should not be taken for granted. The situation of pandemic has worsened and the speed of increasing COVID19 cases is higher than last time. PM Modi has called for Jan Bhagidari and Jan Andolan for COVID-19 management. We can still control the pandemic."
16:44 Migrants responsible for spread of coronavirus in Maha: MNS
MNS chief Raj Thackeray back to being, well, himself.
The MNS chief on Tuesday said migrant workers from other states were responsible for the rapid spread of coronavirus in Maharashtra, which has been reporting a large number of new infections since the last few weeks.
He said the states the migrant labourers hailed from lacked adequate facilities to test them for coronavirus. "Maharashtra is the most industrialised state in India which attracts a large number of workers from other states. The places from where these workers come lacked enough testing facilities.
"During the lockdown last year, I had suggested that migrant workers who returned to their native places should be tested, but it was not done," Raj Thackeray told reporters after a virtual interaction with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Raj Thackeray said he asked the CM to allow sportspersons to join the practice sessions and to permit gymnasiums to function with social distancing.
"The government says manufacturing will be allowed during the time of restrictions but not the shops. If shops are not allowed to remain open then what's the logic behind allowing the manufacturing activity?" he asked.
\He also demanded that the electricity bills of the people be waived during the lockdown period. "....Industrial production is stopped, offices are being
closed and many people are losing their jobs... In such a scenario why should people pay the power bills?" he questioned.
16:33 PM continues 'Didi is losing' speech at Howrah
After Coochbehar, PM Modi is in Howrah, West Bengal.
"The situation is such that Didi's party is not getting polling agents at polling booths. Few days back, didi was accusing EC and security forces of stopping her polling agent. Now she has accepted that her polling agents are revolting against her.
"The truth of whatever Didi did to West Bengal has come out. This is why Didi is threatening people of West Bengal. Didi says 'Amra dekhe nebo', BJP says 'Amra seva korbo'. We are humbly asking for a chance to serve people.
"Didi has accused you of taking money and selling your votes. Do you do this? Isn't this your insult? You must respond to this in the elections. Frustrated over impending defeat, Mamata Banerjee heaping abuse on me."
16:24 Ex-Maha HM moves SC against CBI probe order
Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh also moves SC against HC order directing CBI probe into corruption allegations against him.
The Maharashtra government Tuesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court order directing the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into the allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh against ex-Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. "We have filed an appeal on behalf of state government against the Bombay High Court of yesterday," said Maharashtra standing counsel Sachin Patil.
After the high court order on Monday, Deshmukh, a veteran politician from Vidarbha, resigned from the state government. The high court had said that this was an "extraordinary" and "unprecedented" case which warranted an independent inquiry.
16:11 Sensex, Nifty end marginally higher
Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty ended marginally higher on Tuesday, tracking high volatility amid concerns over the economic impact of the second wave of coronavirus infections in the country.
After swinging around 646 points during the day, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled 42.07 points or 0.09 per cent higher at 49,201.39. The broader NSE Nifty advanced 45.70 points or 0.31 per cent to 14,683.50. Asian Paints was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 4 per cent, followed by Sun Pharma, HUL, HDFC, Dr Reddy's, Nestle India and M&M. On the other hand, PowerGrid, Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, UltraTech Cement and ICICI Bank were among the laggards.
Domestic equities were quite volatile and gave up most initial gains as sharp spike in COVID-19 cases across the country and resultant mobility restrictions continued to weigh on investors' sentiments, said Binod Modi, Head - Strategy at Reliance Securities.
15:56
West Bengal elections: 68.04 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in 31 seats where polling is underway for third phase.
Army Chief General M M Naravane
15:53 India has challenges along borders: Army Chief
India is facing renewed challenges along its borders and armed forces officers, who are under training, must remain abreast of all such developments, said Army Chief General M M Naravane on Tuesday.
He was delivering a lecture on 'Developments along the Western and Northern Borders and their Impact on the Future Road Map of the Indian Army' at Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu.
"He (Army Chief) emphasised that the nation is facing renewed challenges along its borders and exhorted the students on the need to remain abreast of all developments," said the Indian Army's statement.
General Naravane was on a two-day visit to the college. The lecture was delivered to the faculty and officers attending the 76th staff course at the college. DSSC Commandant Lt Gen M J S Kahlon gave an update to Naravane on the ongoing training activities and incorporation of new initiatives with specific reference to professional military training on "jointmanship" among the three services, the Army's statement said.
The Army chief was briefed on the changes being undertaken in the training curriculum and infrastructural development as a step towards enhancing the role of DSSC as a centre of excellence for professional military education, it noted. He complimented the college for maintaining a very high state of training in spite of COVID-19 pandemic constraints, the statement said. PTI
Maharashtra former home minister Anil Deshmukh
15:20 Maha govt to challenge HC's order on Deshmukh
The Maharashtra government will move the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court's order for a preliminary probe by the CBI into allegations of corruption against NCP leader Anil Deshmukh, state Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil said on Tuesday.
Deshmukh resigned as Maharashtra's home minister on Monday after the HC directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry within 15 days into the allegations levelled against him by former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh.
Later, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari handed over the charge of the key department to cabinet minister and NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil. Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Walse Patil said the state government will provide all assistance to the CBI for its probe into the matter. "The government will challenge the high court's order in the Supreme Court," he said.
15:07 Centre asks all 45+ staff to get vaccinated
The Centre on Tuesday asked all its employees aged 45 years and above to get themselves vaccinated to effectively contain the spread of COVID-19. They are further advised to continue to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour even after vaccination by frequent washing of hands and sanitisation, wearing a mask or face cover and observing social distancing, etc., an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.
The government has been monitoring the situation very closely, and based on the strategy adopted for prioritising the groups for vaccination to contain the spread of COVlD-19, currently, all persons of the age of 45 years and above can participate in the vaccination exercise, it said.
In view of the above, all central government employees of the age of 45 years and above are advised to get themselves vaccinated so as to effectively contain the spread of COVID-19, said the order issued to all the central government ministries and departments. The order comes amid an alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in the country in the last few weeks. PTI
14:54 Pakistan to vaccinate 80-yr-olds and above at their homes
A lesson to be learnt from Pakistan. The Maharashtra government has approached the centre for a go ahead to vaccinate the elderly and handicapped through door-to-door vaccination, but the centre says it 'has no policy framed in the matter'. Meanwhile, cases are going up steadily in the country.
Pakistan will administer COVID-19 vaccines to citizens 80 years of age and above at their homes, as the country battles a fresh wave of the coronavirus. In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of National Health Services said Pakistan reported 103 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours, while the number of new cases was 3,953 in the same period.
This was the smallest rise in daily new infections since March 25, when 4,368 new cases were reported. On April 1, 5,234 new cases were reported. The country's total number of cases presently stands at 696,184, with 14,924 related deaths. Over 3,500 patients are in a critical condition.
14:49 Not wearing mask is a crime: MP CM
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said not wearing a face mask amounts to crime and appealed to people to follow appropriate "social behaviour" to check the spread of COVID-19.
The surge in cases now is due to people lowering their guard, Chouhan said after starting a 24-hour 'sit-in' here to spread the awareness among people about following the COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
The CM launched the "Swasthya Agrah" (health request) at the Minto Hall in Bhopal at 12.30 pm on Tuesday and during his 24-hour 'sit-in', he will interact with people online and conduct his official work from the venue.
"Wearing masks and maintaining social distance are not in our habit. Besides these, we have to take other measures also to control the pandemic. So, I am sitting here for a moral request to make these things a part of people's habit," Chouhan told reporters.
He said it is a "crime" if someone is not wearing a mask, because this also affects the health of others around that person. Chouhan said he launched an awareness campaign for wearing masks on Monday. "I ensured that me and my family wear masks...the word 'mask' means 'mera aapka suraksha kavach' (my and your safety shield)," he said.
14:47 'Kumbh might become COVID-19 super spreader'
A senior official in the Central government, during a Secretary-level meeting over the COVID-19 situation in the country on Monday, expressed apprehension that the ongoing Kumbh might become a "super spreader", according to a top source in the government.
The source said the government is worried about the Kumbh and discussed this at a high-level meeting on Monday. "If the government does not decide to end Kumbh before the stipulated time, it may become a COVID-19 'super spreader'," a member in the high-level meeting said.
"The government is forming a team that will appeal to all with the help of sadhus and religious leaders to ensure pilgrims, who are visiting the Kumbh, wear masks and follow social distancing," the source told ANI.
"At the same time, the government also suggested that a message should be given through TV and radio, and posters should be put up at public places to create awareness amongst masses that the pandemic is not over yet," the source added.
However, the Centre is not considering prematurely ending the holy congregation.
The government also asked for ideas from the officials to curb the spread of the infection.
TMC candidate Sujata Mondal
14:37 CRPF mute spectators in violence against us: TMC
TMC's Derek O'Brien issues a statement on the poll violence in the Arambag constituency: "Goons of BJP attacked TMC candidate Sujata Mondal at Arandi-I booth no.263, Mahallapara. Her personal security officer has suffered injuries on the head and is in a critical state. CRPF personnel were silent spectators
You (Election Commission) are called upon to apprehend the goons of BJP, ensure that no corrupt practices take place, ensure the safety of our workers/members, ensure that polls are conducted freely and fairly."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday claimed BJP activists were forcibly occupying polling booths and attacking TMC members, including party candidates, and asserted that she would not get bogged down by such "intimidatory tactics".
Addressing a public meeting here in Alipurduar district, the TMC supremo said her party's nominee in Arambagh, Sujata Mondal, was chased and hit on head near a polling booth by saffron party workers.
"They have inflicted serious injury on our Scheduled Caste candidate Sujata, when she visited a booth. They also hit another candidate in Khanakul. In Canning East, security forces prevented our nominee Shaukat Mollah from entering a booth. There had been numerous such instances of attack on our candidates, party workers across the state," Banerjee said.
The CM further stated that she has received at least 100 complaints of assault and violence since morning, and the EC has been duly informed but to no avail. Alleging that a deep-rooted conspiracy has been hatched by the BJP leadership in Delhi after experiencing "poor turnout" in rallies, Banerjee said "Security forces have been asked not to resist booth capturing."
13:45 53% turnout in WB, Assam, Pudu; 39% TN, Ker 47%
Voter turnout in five-state Assembly Elections till 1 pm: Assam 53.23%, Kerala 47.28%, Puducherry 53.76%, Tamil Nadu 39.00% and West Bengal 53.89%.
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported on Tuesday in some areas where voting is underway in the third phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, even as the overall situation by and large remained peaceful with 34.71 per cent turnout recorded till 11 am, officials said.
13:35 BJP will 50% seats in Assam 3rd phase: Himanta
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win 22 out of 40 seats in the third and final phase of Assembly polls in Assam, claimed State Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday.
Sarma, who is contesting from the Jalukbari constituency, cast his vote earlier today.
"There are 40 seats in this phase, we are expecting to win on 22 of them, number can be higher. In this election, we will win more seats," Sarma said while speaking to ANI.
Sarma further took a jibe at Congress, stating that its alliance partner All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) will perform better than Congress.
"Badruddin Ajmal-led AIDUF will be the second number party in the state and the Congress will just go down and Badruddin will take advantage of that," he said.
Congress is contesting the 126 seat Assam Assembly polls with AIUDF.
The Assembly elections for 126 seats are being held in three phases. The first phase took place on March 27, the second phase took place on April 1 and the final phase of the Assam polls is being held today.
13:11 Kunal Kamra, family test positive for COVID-19
Popular stand-up comic Kunal Kamra on Tuesday said he and his family have tested positive for COVID-19. While the comedian is home quarantined, his parents have been admitted to a hospital. Kamra, 32, said he has informed those he came in contact with recently about his COVID diagnosis. "My parents are COVID positive and they're in a hospital nearby. I'm COVID positive quarantined at home. I've spoken to everyone who I was in contact with. "Me and my family will be fine soon. Please take the second wave very seriously and be super careful," the comedian wrote on Twitter. A day after recording more than 11,000 COVID-19 cases in a day - the highest so far - Mumbai on Monday reported 9,857 COVID cases, taking the tally to 4,62,302. PTI
13:07 PM explains why Mamata has lost Bengal polls
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public rally in Cooch Behar, West Bengal: "Didi has been asking, "Is BJP God that it already knows it is winning polls?" I want to say to her that we're normal people engaged in the service of public. I want to tell the people that I'll return your love with interest in the form of development.
"Didi, the day you did 'khela' at the polling booth in Nandigram, the same day the country knew that you have lost the elections."
"Didi, you are not proud that West Bengal is seeing more than 80% voter turnout. It means that you are losing. Didi, it is certain that you will lose. Didi, you have scored an own-goal (like in football) in these elections.
"Recently, you (Mamata Banerjee) appealed for Muslim unity and said their votes should not divide. It shows that Muslim vote bank, which you considered as your strength, has slipped out of our hands. It shows that you have lost the poll."
Earlier today, the PM while speaking on the occasion of his party's 41st foundation day said, "false narratives" about his government are spread as part of a big conspiracy to create political instability in the country. Modi said blatant lies like farmers' land will be seized, citizenship of some people will be revoked, reservation will be scrapped or the Constitution will be changed are spread by certain individuals and organisations. These false narratives have been spread over his government's measures like farm laws, Citizenship (Amendment) Act and labour laws, he said.
12:45 Exploring all channels to trace jawan: Chhattisgarh Police
Police are exploring all channels, including contacting local villagers, to trace the missing CoBRA commando whom the Maoists claim to have abducted after an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region three days back, a senior official said on Tuesday. Police informers have also been activated to gather information about the missing jawan, he said.
Constable Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, of the 210th battalion of CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), an elite unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), went missing on Saturday after the gunfight along the border of Sukma and Bijapur districts.
Twenty two security personnel were killed and 31 others were injured in the fierce gun-battle. A journalist from Sukma on Monday said he had got a call from Maoists, claiming that the commando is in their captivity and he will not be harmed.
"As of now we cannot confirm that the missing jawan is in the captivity of Naxals as they haven't issued any statementor photographs in this connection. We are trying to trace him through all possible channels," Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P told PTI. The police are also contacting local villagers to check if they have any information related to the missing jawan, he said.
12:28 2 ground-staff members among 3 more positive COVID-19 cases at Wankhede
Two more members of the ground-staff and a plumber at the Wankhede Stadium have tested positive for Covid-19, a day after the facility was cleared to host its share of 10 IPL matches. The stadium is due to host its first IPL game of the season on April 10, following the lung-opener in Chennai between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9.
"Three at the stadium have tested positive, two are grounds men," a Mumbai Cricket Association source told PTI.
Earlier last Saturday, 10 ground-staff members of the stadium had tested positive, but most of them have since recovered.
On Monday, the Maharashtra government cleared the decks for the event in Mumbai despite the weekend lockdown provisions and night curfew in the city. The government allowed teams to practice and travel from their respective hotels to the stadium after 8pm, when the night curfew would be on to curb the pandemic.
12:25 Night curfew imposed in Delhi from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30
The Delhi government on Tuesday imposed night curfew in the national capital from 10 pm to 5 am till April 30 in view of rising COVID-19 cases, officials said.
The city 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. The order for night curfew will continue till April 30. The curfew will be in place from 10 pm to 5 am, said a government official.
The decision has been taken in view of rising COVID-19 cases in Delhi, he added. The case positivity rate in Delhi has also risen to 5.54 per cent amid a massive surge in cases in the last few weeks. PTI
12:23 Tharoor votes
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor casts his vote at a polling station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. "The turnout has been pretty high by 10 am, already 20% , which is unusual for Kerala. As a general rule, when the turnout is high, the UDF will prevail", he says.
Sujata Mondal, TMC candidate from Arambagh
12:21 Clashes erupt between TMC, BJP workers
In Bengal, clash erupts between TMC and BJP supporters in Arambag, as voting in assembly elections is underway. "In Arandi-I area here, we have minority, SC voters who love Mamata Banerjee. Goons of BJP threatened and tortured women voters last night," says Sujata Mondal, TMC candidate from Arambagh.
Around 34.71 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 11.30 am as the polling for the third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections is underway.
The life-saving Covishield vaccine
11:59 India vaccinated 43 lakh people a day, highest so far
More than 43lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in a span 24 hours, the highest single-day coverage till now, taking the total doses given in the country so far to 8,31,10,926, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. A total of 43,00,966 vaccine doses have been given in a span of 24 hours out of which 39,00,505 beneficiaries received the 1st dose while 4,00,461 have taken the 2nd dose, according to the data updated at 7 am.
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala account for 60 per cent of the cumulative vaccine doses given till now. Of the total 8,31,10,926 jabs given in the country, Maharashtra has so far given the highest with 81,27,248 number of doses, followed by Gujarat at76,89,507, Rajasthan at 72,99,305, Uttar Pradesh at 71,98,372 and West Bengal at 65,41,370 doses, the data stated. -- PTI
11:58 AK Anthony votes
Congress leader AK Antony (extreme right) cast his vote at Government High School, Jagathy in Thiruvananthapuram earlier today.
Samajwadi Party leaderJaya Bachchan with TMC candidate Arup Biswas of the Tollygunge constituency
11:53 34.71% voter turnout till 11:30 am in Bengal
Around 34.71 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 11.30 am as the polling for the third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections is underway.
The polling started at 7 am on Tuesday.
In the Kulpi area of Sundarban in South 24 Parganas district, ITBP jawans were seen helping senior citizens to reach the polling booths.
A total of 31 Assembly constituencies in districts including eight in Hooghly, seven in Howrah and 16 in South 24 Parganas are going to polls in phase-III.
There are 205 candidates in the fray in this round of polling.
However, when it comes to women representation, there are only 13 women candidates contesting in this phase, merely six per cent.
Polling for the first two phases of the West Bengal elections were held on March 27 and April 1 respectively. The fourth phase of polling will take place on April 10. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.
11:21 Himanta Biswa Sarma votes
Assam Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma casts his vote at a polling station in Amingaon, Guwahati.
Sachin Waze
11:19 Hiran murder case: NIA takes Waze to CSMT to recreate scene
The NIA took suspended police officer Sachin Waze to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai from where he had boarded a train to neighbouring Thane on the day of businessman Mansukh Hiran's murder, a police official said on Tuesday.
In a CCTV footage of March 4, Waze was seen taking a train from the CSMT to Thane, hence a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took Waze to the CSMT late Monday night to recreate the scene, he said.
Later, the NIA also took Waze to the Mumbra creek in Thane district were Hiran's body was found on March 5.
The NIA is conducting a probe into the case of an explosives-laden SUV found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence in south Mumbai on February 25 and the subsequent murder of Hiran. The probe agency arrested Waze last month for his alleged role in planting the vehicle with explosives near Ambani's house.
During recreation of the scene at the CSMT on Monday, the NIA sleuths asked Waze to walk on its platform no. 4 to compare his movement with the man seen in the CCTV footage, the official said. Later, they took Waze to the Mumbra creek where Hiran's body was found last month.
The NIA team, which spent over an hour each at the CSMT and the Mumbra creek, was accompanied by some witnesses, forensic experts and the Railway Protection Force officials.
Earlier also, the NIA had taken Waze to various places, including a five-star hotel where he stayed on a fake identity, an office in suburban Andheri where a conspiracy meeting was allegedly held, and the Mumbra creek. As part of its probe into the case, the NIA has seized a number of high-end vehicles used by Waze. -- PTI
11:16 BJP, TMC trade charges of booth capturing in WB
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Diamond Harbour, Dipak Haldar, has accused TMC workers of stopping people from casting votes in the third phase of West Bengal assembly polls on Tuesday.
"TMC goons are not allowing people to cast their votes at booth number 180 and 143 Dagira Baduldanga. I have complained to the Election Commission officials," Haldar told ANI.
Meanwhile, the ruling TMC has nullified all allegations levelled by the BJP.
Speaking to ANI, TMC MLA Saokat Molla said, "All allegations (by BJP) are false. When a party weakens, it gives baseless statements. It is they who promote hooliganism. They bring money and people from outside. Whatever they say is a lie. Voters in South 24 Parganas is with TMC and Mamata Banerjee."
"I had received information that ISF workers were hurling bombs at a polling booth in Satsa. I have informed the police and complained to the EC. I will go to that polling booth," added Molla.
In Diamond Harbour, Dipak Haldar is taking on TMC's Pannalal Halder and CPI(M)'s Pratik Ur Rahman.
In Canning Purba, there is a contest between sitting TMC MLA Saokat Molla, BJP's Kalipada Naskar and ISF's Gazi Sahabuddin Siraj.
Polling for the first two phases of the West Bengal elections were held on March 27 and April 1 respectively. The fourth phase of polling will take place on April 10. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.
11:08 Where there's a will, there's a jawan
An ITBP jawan carries a senior citizen to help her reach a polling booth in Kulpi, Sundarban to cast her vote for the third phase of the West Bengal Elections.
People queue up to get vaccinated in Mumbai
11:01 IMA urges PM to start vaccination for all 18+
With India facing the worst wave of pandemic yet, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting vaccination should be open to all people above the age of 18 years.
"At present, we are vaccinating the population above 45 years. In view of the rapid spread of the second wave of the disease, we suggest that our vaccination strategy needs to be geared up with immediate effect on war foot. We request the following suggestions in the Covid Vaccination Drive. All citizens above 18 years of age shall be permitted to receive Covid vaccination," IMA said.
The association also urged the Prime Minister that private sector family clinics should also be included actively in the vaccination drive along with private hospitals, as availability of vaccination with all doctors and family physicians will have a positive impact on the drive.
According to IMA, the vaccination certificate should be made mandatory for entering into public places and receiving products under the public distribution system.
IMA said as there is an acute spurt of this disease, as a measure to immediately break the chain, a limited period of continuous lockdown should also be implemented especially for all the non-essential areas like cinema, cultural and religious events, sports, among other.
"Zero tolerance against the non-compliance of Covid appropriate behaviours, augmentation of infrastructure beds and oxygen availability, moral support and enthusiastic engagements of frontline health workers, ensuring adequate health care protective gears support and strict adherence to the evidence-based treatment protocols are the key factors needed at this moment," IMA's letter added. --ANI
Justice NV Ramana
10:48 NV Ramana to be new Chief Justice of India
Justice NV Ramana has been appointed as the next Chief Justice of India by President Ram Nath Kovind. He will take oath on April 24.
10:43 India reports 96,982 Covid cases in 24 hours
As the states vote, don't forget we are amidst the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic.
India reported more than 96,982 cases new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, informed the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday.
With these additional cases, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 1,26,86,049. With 446 new deaths, the death toll in India has gone up to 1,65,547. There are 7,88,223 active cases in the nation as of now.
Furthermore, 50,143 people were discharged after recovery on Monday, taking the nationwide recovery tally to 1,17,32,279.As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 12,11,612 samples were tested on Monday. A total of 25,02,31,269 samples have been tested so far.
Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 7,91,05,163 people have been vaccinated across the country till now.
10:40 Telangana governor votes
Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan cast her vote at a polling station in Virugambakkam, Chennai.
10:39 Karti Chidambaram votes
Congress leader Karti Chidambaram casts his vote at polling booth number 276 in Tiruppathur, Sivaganga district. His father voted earlier.
10:36 Kerala health minister votes
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja cast her vote in Kannur, today. "The COVID-19 mortality rate in Kerala is 0.4%. We brought many social welfare measures during COVID19. People are seeing all this and they will vote for us," she said.
Representational image
10:35 EVMs, VVPATs found at TMC leader's home, poll official suspended
Four EVMs and a similar number of VVPATs were found at the house of a Trinamool Congress leader in West Bengal's Howrah district, following which a poll official was suspended, a senior officer said on Tuesday.
The incident happened in Tulsiberia village in the Uluberia Uttar assembly segment, he said. Villagers spotted a vehicle with an Election Commission sticker outside the house of the TMC leader in the early hours, after which they started protesting, he added. Then, it was found that the officer of sector 17 Tapan Sarkar was visiting the TMC leader's house with the EVMs, the official said. The EVMs and VVPATs were seized and the officer suspended, he said.
"The four machines are not being used in today's polling. We have sought a report from the District Election Officer," he added. The sector officer claimed that he reached the area very late and found the polling booth closed, following that he decided to spend the night at his relative's residence, unable to find any "safe place" to stay.
A huge team of central forces had to be deployed in the area as the locals protested, alleging malpractices. Even the Block Development Officer (BDO) was gheraoed when he had reached the spot to pacify the crowd.
BJP candidate Chiran Bera alleged that the incident was part of TMC's plan to rig the election, a charge denied by the ruling party. BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said, "This is an old habit of the TMC. It takes time to get over the old habits. They have been caught red-handed and it shows what they are up to." Polling was underway in the area in the third phase of elections. PTI
10:33 Panneerselvam votes
Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam casts his vote in Periyakulam. "All NDA candidates will win. AIADMK is going to form the government for the third consecutive time," he says.
Actor Ajith Kumar and his wife Shalini arrive at a polling booth in Thiruvanmiyur
10:30 'Smooth' polling underway in TN amid tight security
Polling is underway in Tamil Nadu with top leaders including AIADMK's O Panneerselvam, DMK chief M K Stalin and celebrities like Rajinikanth exercising their franchise early on Tuesday.
Chief Electoral Officer, Satyabrata Sahoo after voting at a polling station here told reporters that polling exercise was on 'smooth' across Tamil Nadu barring 'one or two' places that witnessed issues related to the Electronic Voting Machines and these were attended immediately.
'Free and fair polls are on,' he said adding so far there has been no complaints and observers and zonal parties were monitoring the polling exercise and in case of any 'problem' they would immediately take action. Even before polling opened at 7 am, people could be seen eagerly queuing up before the polling stations and voter information slips were distributed to the people to help them identify their booths. -- PTI
10:25 Stalins visit Karunanidhi's memorial before voting
DMK chief MK Stalin, along with his wife Durga Stalin and their son and party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, visited the memorial of former CM and his father M Karunanidhi in Chennai earlier today.
10:23 5 states poll: 13-14% turnout till 9.30 am
Voter turnouts in assembly elections till 9.30 am are as follows, according to the Election Commission:
Tamil Nadu recorded 13.80 per cent across 243 Assembly constituencies.
14 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections.
Kerala has registered a voter turnout of 14.87 per cent.
Assam has registered a voter turnout of 12.83 per cent in the third and final phase.
Puducherry recorded a voter turnout of 14.01 per cent across 30 constituencies. -- ANI
Tamil Nadu recorded 13.80 per cent across 243 Assembly constituencies.
14 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections.
Kerala has registered a voter turnout of 14.87 per cent.
Assam has registered a voter turnout of 12.83 per cent in the third and final phase.
Puducherry recorded a voter turnout of 14.01 per cent across 30 constituencies. -- ANI
Voting underway at a polling station in Thiruvananthapuram.
09:58 PM urges people to vote in large numbers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people to vote in large numbers in the assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Polling is taking place for 31 seats in the third of the eight-phase West Bengal assembly elections, while 40 seats are at stake in the final and third phase of the assembly elections in Assam.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are voting on Tuesday in single-phase assembly elections.
'Elections are taking place in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. I request the people in these places to vote in record numbers, particularly the young voters,' the prime minister tweeted.
Modi also tweeted in Bengali, Assamese, Tamil and Malayalam, urging voters in the four states and the union territory of Puducherry to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. -- PTI
09:06 Narayanasamy votes
Former Puducherry CM and Congress leader V Narayanasamy casts his vote in Puducherry assembly elections.
09:02 DMK chief Stalin, son cast their votes in TN
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M K Stalin cast his vote at Teynampet, accompanied by wife Durga Stalin and son Udhayanidhi, as voting began for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
"I have been getting reports of high voter turnout from across the State. This vote is against the ruling party," said the DMK chief.
While Stalin's son and DMK candidate Udhayanidhi, who is contesting from the Chepauk Assembly constituency said, "I appeal to all to come out and cast their votes."
Stalin is contesting from the Kolathur Assembly constituency and is seeking re-election from this seat for the third time.
Stalin is also leading the DMK campaign against the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance in Tamil Nadu in the upcoming polls. -- ANI
08:55 'Metroman' votes in Ponnani
'Metroman' E Sreedharan casts vote at a polling booth in Ponnani.
He is the Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate from Palakkad. -- ANI
08:54 Chidambaram casts his vote in Sivaganga
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram casts vote in polling booth Chittal Achi Memorial High School in Kandanur, Sivaganga district.
"Our secular progressive alliance is all set for a landslide victory as people of Tamil Nadu want a change," he says. -- ANI
08:53 Haasan in queue with daughters at polling station
Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan, his daughters Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan stand in a queue as they await their turn to cast vote.
Visuals from Chennai High School, Teynampet in Chennai. -- ANI
08:17 TN polls: Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan vote
Megastar Rajinikanth and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan, who is contesting from the Coimbatore South assembly constituency, cast their votes as polling across 234 assembly constituencies in 38 districts of Tamil Nadu began on Tuesday.
Rajinikanth voted at a polling booth in Stella Maris of Tamil Nadu's Thousand Lights constituency, while Haasan, along with his daughters Shruti and Akshara, cast his vote at Teynampet.
Polling across 234 assembly constituencies in 38 districts of the state begins at 7 am on Monday.
A total of 3,998 candidates are in the poll fray.
In view of COVID-19, the number of polling stations has been increased to 88,937.
As many as 74,162 personnel from Tamil Nadu Local and Armed Reserve (AR) Police, 8,010 personnel from Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) and 23, 200 personnel from the CAPF have been deployed for the elections, according to the Tamil Nadu Police.
34,130 non-police personnel have also been deployed, including Home Guard, Forest Guard, Retired Police, and ex-CAPF along with 6,350 police personnel and 12,411 Home Guard from other states. -- ANI
00:39 Maha: All shops to remain shut in Pune till April 30
Struggling to bring coronavirus positive cases under control, the Pune Municipal Corporation on Monday issued a fresh order notifying that barring the essential services shops, other establishments and markets in Pune city will remain closed till April 30.
All private offices will also remain shut except the offices of cooperative, public and private sector banks, insurance companies, telecom firms, IT & ITes firms and other offices related to lawyers, CAs and financial entities, it
said.
As per the order, a curfew (barring essential services) will be imposed in the city from 6 pm on Fridays to 7 am on Mondays as part of the weekend lockdown.
"As per the state government's direction, except for the essential services shops, all the shops and markets in the city will remain closed till April 30. The implementation of the weekend lockdown order will also be done in the city effectively," Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol tweeted.
The PMC has already closed hotel, restaurants, and bars, except room service in the lodging hotels, within the city limits.
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.
On Monday, Pune district reported 8,075 new coronavirus positive cases, taking the tally to 5,82,904 while 55 fatalities pushed the toll to 10,282, an official said.
A total of 3,240 people were discharged during the day.
With 2,152 fresh cases, the tally in Pimpri Chinchwad township has reached 1,53,080. -- PTI
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