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Fri, 19 March 2021
MP: Lockdown in 3 districts on Sundays
Timeline Refresh
23:36 MP: Lockdown in 3 districts on Sundays
In view of the spurt in coronavirus cases, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced lockdown in Indore, Bhopal and Jabalpur cities every Sundaytill further orders, an official said in Bhopal.
The lockdown will be in force from Saturday 10 pm to Monday 6 am.
Besides, all educational institutions will remain closed in these three cities till March 31, said a public relations department official on Friday.
Madhya Pradesh on Friday reported 1,140 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths.
The decision of Sunday lockdown was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the official said.
Essential services and industries will remainfunctional during the period, he said.
People must wear masks not only for one's own safety but also for that of others, the chief minister said, and appealed people to follow social distancing and avoid going to crowded places. -- PTI
22:53 Waze lawyers' plea for private meeting rejected
A special National Investigation Agency court in Mumbai on Friday rejected the pleaof police officer Sachin Waze's lawyers to meet him privately while he is in the probe agency's custody.
Waze, arrested in connection with the recovery of an explosives-laden car near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's home, is currently in the NIA custody till March 25.
His lawyers submitted before the court that they be allowed to meet him in private so that they can get specific instructions from the client.
Their application was rejected by special judge P R Sitre.
Meanwhile, the NIA told court Waze was not cooperating with the probe as his lawyer, who has been allowed to be present at visible distance, was absent during interrogation.
The judge had, in an earlier order, allowed Waze's advocate to watch the proceeding from a distance or from beyond the glass partition, but not within hearing distance.
Waze'slegal team denied the NIA's claim, saying one of their lawyers was present and even stayed overnight at ahotel near the NIA office so that he could be present as and when he was being interrogated.
The Antila bomb scare probe was handed over to the NIA after the mysterious death of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran, who claimed the recovered vehicle had been stolen a week earlier.
His body was found in a creek at Thane on March 5. -- PTI
Photograph: Kind courtesy @himantabiswa/Twitter
22:40 Assam polls: Sarma files nomination amid cheers by sea of supporters
North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is contesting the assembly polls from Jalukbari seat, filed his nomination in Guwahati on Friday, amid cheers by a sea of supporters.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader led a massive rally from Sonaram Field here to the office of Kamrup Metropolitan Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu, where he submitted his papers in the presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and senior party leaders.
Accompanied by entrepreneur wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma and son Nandil, the political heavyweight, during the roadshow, waved at his supporters, who played traditional musical instruments to greet him.
Women, in colourful attire, were seeing performing Bihu dance on the two-kilometre stretch that the rally covered in a span of three hours.
Earlier in the day, Sarma and his wife had offered prayers at the Kamakhya temple here.
The state finance minister, after filing his nomination, told reporters that the election results would determine the course of Assam's development, its future.
Seeking peoples blessings, he exuded confidence that the BJP-AGP-UPPL combine will win the assembly polls.
Asked about his thoughts on opposition Grand Alliance, the minister, refusing to say much, wished them well.
He also skirted questions about the BJPs chief ministerial face in Assam.
Sarma is contesting from Jalukbari for the fifth consecutive term.
He had won the seat in 2016 by a margin of over 85,000 votes. -- PTI
22:02 Get vaccinated asap: Maharashtra health minister
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Friday asked people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as early as possible and appealed to them to notbelieve in rumours floating about the side-effects.
The vaccine is safe and getting inoculated isessential, he told reporters in Mumbai.
As per data released on Thursday, 36,39,989 peoplehave been vaccinated in Maharashtra since the drive commencedon January 16. -- PTI
21:29 Jignesh Mevani suspended from Guj assembly for 'indiscipline'
Gujarat's Independent MLA Jignesh Mevani was on Friday suspended from the state Assembly for a day for 'indiscipline' after he raised the issue of a Dalit man's murder without the Speaker's permission.
He was evicted from the House on the orders of Speaker Rajendra Trivedi over the issue.
Mevani had been evicted from the Assembly for the same reason on Thursday as well.
As soon as the Question Hour came to an end, Mevani, who represents the Vadgam Assembly constituency, suddenly raised a poster that carried the picture of the Dalit man killed on March 2 by a mob allegedly in the presence of a policeman. The poster read: 'Why you are not arresting the culprits?'
He was referring to the incident, in which one Amrabhai Boricha, 50, a resident of Sanodar in Ghogha taluka of Bhavnagar, was allegedly killed in the presence of a local police sub inspector.
As Mevani's mic was turned off, he started shouting and asked why the BJP government in the state has not arrested the PSI yet.
He asked the government to clarify if the Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja was related to the PSI.
The speaker then asked Mevani not to indulge in 'indiscipline' and sit down.
Trivedi told the MLA that he should first seek permission from him if he wanted to raise any issue.
When Mevani did not sit down despite repeated requests, Trivedi asked the sergeants to take the MLA out of the House.
Trivedi also suspended the MLA for the day for 'indiscipline'.
Mevani was then escorted out by the sergeants without using much force.
He was evicted from the House on the orders of Speaker Rajendra Trivedi over the issue.
Mevani had been evicted from the Assembly for the same reason on Thursday as well.
As soon as the Question Hour came to an end, Mevani, who represents the Vadgam Assembly constituency, suddenly raised a poster that carried the picture of the Dalit man killed on March 2 by a mob allegedly in the presence of a policeman. The poster read: 'Why you are not arresting the culprits?'
He was referring to the incident, in which one Amrabhai Boricha, 50, a resident of Sanodar in Ghogha taluka of Bhavnagar, was allegedly killed in the presence of a local police sub inspector.
As Mevani's mic was turned off, he started shouting and asked why the BJP government in the state has not arrested the PSI yet.
He asked the government to clarify if the Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja was related to the PSI.
The speaker then asked Mevani not to indulge in 'indiscipline' and sit down.
Trivedi told the MLA that he should first seek permission from him if he wanted to raise any issue.
When Mevani did not sit down despite repeated requests, Trivedi asked the sergeants to take the MLA out of the House.
Trivedi also suspended the MLA for the day for 'indiscipline'.
Mevani was then escorted out by the sergeants without using much force.
21:11 US defence secy meets PM Modi, NSA Doval
United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and expressed his country's strong desire to further enhance the strategic partnership with India for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
During the meeting, Modi outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the two countries and emphasised the important role of bilateral defence cooperation in Indo-US ties, a PMO statement said, adding that he asked Austin to convey his best wishes to American President Joe Biden.
The prime minister welcomed the warm and close relationship between the two countries which is rooted in shared values of democracy, pluralism and commitment to a rules-based order, the statement said.
"Secretary Austin reiterated the US government's continued commitment towards strengthening the bilateral defence relations between the two countries. He expressed US' strong desire to further enhance the strategic partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," it said.
On his first official visit to India as Defence Secretary, Austin, who arrived earlier in the day, also conveyed Biden's greetings to the prime minister.
The visiting defence secretary also called on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
N Rangasamy (in forefront) with his MLAs
21:00 Former Puducherry CM Rangasamy to contest from 2 seats
AINRC founder leader N Rangasamy will contest from two constituencies, while four former ministers and five new faces are among 16 named by the party on Friday for the April 6 assembly poll in Puducherry.
Rangasamy, a former chief minister of the UT, will contest from Thattanchavady in Puducherry and the lone segment in Yanam, an enclave of the UT.
The list was released by Rangasamy through WhatsApp to media-persons on Friday, the last day to file nominations.
Of the 16 candidates named to the 30 member assembly, 12 will be fielded in Puducherry, while the UT's other enclaves Karaikal and Mahe would have two and one respectively.
Besides the four former ministers C Djeacoumar, N G Panneerselvam, P Rajavelou and K Lakshminarayanan, the party has re-fielded two women members S Gobika and S Chandra Priyanka of the outgoing assembly.
The AINRC heads the NDA, which has the BJP and AIADMK as its other constituents.
20:32 Covid surge alarming: Bengal docs tell EC
A joint platform of doctors in West Bengal on Friday wrote to the Election Commission, sounding alarm over rising COVID-19 cases and 'complete disappearance' of safety protocols at political rallies in the poll-bound state.
The doctors have also flagged non-availability of beds in COVID-19 hospitals as well as free ventilators in the state.
'The number of Covid victims in West Bengal has been increasing significantly over the last seven days. Mutant strains have been found in the bodies of several patients, too.
'It is also to be noted that the number of tests being regularly conducted is much less than before,' Dr Hiralal Konar and Dr Punyabrata Gun, representing the Joint Platform of Doctors, said in a letter to the chief election commissioner.
The forum has over 30,000 doctors under its fold.
India saw 39,726 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single day rise recorded so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,15,14,331, the Union health ministry said on Friday.
'Several patients are being admitted in Covid ICUs once again, and there is a shortage of beds as well as free ventilators... While it is not possible to conclude with certainty about the initiation of the second wave, this trend is quite alarming,' the doctors said.
'Safety protocols have completely disappeared in the process of holding rallies and meetings of all political parties on the occasion of the upcoming elections in the state,' they added.
Ordinary people, political leaders and even some security personnel are either seen without face masks or place those below the chin, exposing the nose and the mouth, the letter said.
'In other words, every act of spreading the contagion is being observed and all the political parties... agree to remain silent on this crucial issue of public health,' it said.
The doctors also cited a study that states that only one-fourth to one-third of the population has detectable antibodies against coronavirus.
'Out of 100 million people in the state, only 20.3 lakh people have been vaccinated till date,' the doctors said in the letter.
'Processions should be long enough so that the participants are at least three feet apart. If a big field is not available, the meeting should be in the open.
'Make masks compulsory at election rallies and polling booths. Wear two masks instead of one, with the nose, mouth and chin covered,' it said, urging the election commission to ensure such safety measures.
The doctors said West Bengal should daily test at least 30,000 samples for COVID-19.
In the past three days, about 17,000-20,000 tests were conducted in the state. -- PTI
20:17 Bombay high court to get 13 new judges
The Supreme Court collegium on Friday recommended appointment of nine advocates and elevation of four judicial officers as judges of the Bombay high court.
The three-judge Supreme Court collegium, which held its meeting on Friday, comprised Chief Justice Bobde and Justices N V Ramana and R F Nariman and recommended appointment of nine advocates as judges of the high court.
The nine advocates are: Aruna S pai, Shailesh P Brahme, Kamal R Khata, Sharmila U Deshmukh, Amira Abdul Razaq, Sandeep V Marne, Sandeep H Parikh, Somasekhar Sundaresan and Mahendra M Nerlikar.
The judicial officers whose elevation has been recommended by the collegium are -- Rajesh N Laddha, Sanjay G Mehare, G A Sanap and S G Dige.
The sanctioned strength of judges at the Bombay high court is 94 and more than 30 seats are vacant.
19:36 Mumbai reports 3,062 Covid cases, highest ever
Mumbai reports its highest-ever one-day spike in COVID-19 cases with with 3,062 new infections, 1,334 recoveries and 10 deaths in the last 24 hours.
On Thursday, the city had recorded 2,877 new coronavirus cases.
Total cases 3,55,897
Total recoveries 3,23,281
Death toll 11,565
Active cases 20,140. -- ANI
Representational image
19:05 Meat shops in Gurugram to be shut on Tuesdays
Gurugram in Haryana has decided to restrict the sale of meat, it seems.
In a new order, mayor Madhu Azad said meat shops in Gurugram will henceforth remain closed on Tuesdays.
Also, she said, the licence fee for meat shops has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, and the penalty for illegally run meat shops has also been increased 10 times, from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.
18:52 Trains on Delhi Metro's Blue Line running late
Trains are running slow between Moti Nagar and Kirti Nagar stations on the Blue Line section of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday due to track maintenance work.
"Trains are running at a restricted speed between Moti Nagar and Kirti Nagar stations due to track maintenance activity in this section," tweeted DMRC.
18:40 Covid vaccine drive to be extended: Health minister
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said the Covid-19 vaccination drive will be extended in the coming days and asserted that there should not be any misconceptions about the two Indian vaccines being administered in the country.
During Question Hour in Lok Sabha, Vardhan said India has vaccinated 3.5 to 4 crore people so far and side effects of the vaccines has been recorded at 0.000432 per cent.
"Every vaccine doesn't require universal immunisation and all these priority groups whom we are vaccinating today like healthcare staff first and then senior citizens and people aged between 45 and 59 years, it will be extended in the coming days -- all these are based on experts' opinion.
"Not only Indian experts, but we have also consulted WHO guidelines regarding priority groups," he said.
Serum Institute's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin have been currently approved for restricted emergency use in India.
Replying to a question by NCP MP Supriya Sule on whether the government was aiming at universal immunisation of Covid-19 vaccine, Vardhan said it is not scientifically necessary to administer the vaccine to each and every person in the country.
"Not each and every person in the world will be vaccinated. The prioritisation process is a dynamic process.
"The behaviour of the virus is also dynamic. All things are based on scientific facts, scrutiny and vision of the overall scientific and health community," he said.
Representational image. Pic: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
18:31 MP police use DNA testing to find Labrador's real owner
The dispute between two people in Madhya Pradesh over ownership of a Labrador dog that went missing in August last year has been resolved post DNA testing, the police said on Friday.
After Labrador Coco went missing, local journalist Shadab Khan came forward stating that the canine was his pet, while a person named Kartik Shivhare also laid claim to being the owner, Hoshangabad police station in charge Anoop Singh Nain said.
In order to resolve the issue, the then police station in charge, Hemant Shrivastava, convinced Khan and Shivhare that the dog be subjected to a DNA test, he said.
The DNA test, which was conducted in Hyderabad in Telangana after samples were sent in December, was on the basis of Khan's claim that he had bought the dog from a person in Pachmari hill station in Hoshangabad, the official said.
The DNA report, which arrived on Thursday, confirmed Khan's claim after which Coco was handed over to him, Nain informed.
"I spent Rs 50,000 in the process as I had to take veterinarians to Pachmari and then make arrangements for sending the sample with the help of police to Hyderabad for DNA tests. Thankfully, Coco is home and my family is very happy," Khan said.
Shivhare could not be contacted despite several attempts.
18:08 Covid spike in Pune but fatalities low
Amid the concerns over spike in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, the Pune administration on Friday informed that despite a surge in positivity rate, mortality rate remains low in the city.
Speaking to ANI, Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol said, "Despite COVID-19 cases increasing with every passing day in Pune, the mortality rate remains low. The mortality rate in Pune is at 2.29 per cent which was above 2.6 per cent earlier. However, the positivity rate which had gone down below 10 per cent recently has again reached 23 per cent in Pune."
The Pune city administration has increased the COVID-19 testing upto 12,000 a day to combat the virus.
"Around 90 per cent of COVID positive patients are in home isolation and the severity of the cases is low this time. The Pune city administration has increased the COVID-19 testing upto 12,000 a day," the mayor said.
Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh continue to report a surge in fresh COVID-19 cases and they account for 80.63 per cent of the daily new cases, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
As many as 39,726 new daily cases were reported in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra continues to record the highest daily new cases at 25,833, 65 per cent of the daily cases, followed by Punjab with 2,369 while Kerala reported 1,899 new cases.
In terms of response, the Centre is actively engaging with all state and Union Territories (UTs) governments, especially those showing an upsurge in daily new cases and with a high caseload of active cases.
17:51 Top gainers and losers as Sensex soars 641 pts
After opening with significant losses, the 30-share BSE Sensex made a U-turn to end the week 641.72 points or 1.30 per cent higher, at 49,858.24.
On similar lines, the broader NSE Nifty surged 186.15 points or 1.28 per cent to finish at 14,744.
NTPC was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying 4.58 per cent, followed by HUL, PowerGrid, Reliance Industries, ITC, UltraTech Cement and HCL Tech.
Index heavyweight Reliance Industries accounted for the lion's share of the gains.
On the other hand, L&T, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Auto and Titan were among the laggards, slipping up to 1.20 per cent.
17:37 US defence secy arrives in Delhi
US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin arrived in India on Friday on a three-day visit, aimed at further boosting bilateral defence and security ties in the wake of China's growing military assertiveness in the region including the Indo-Pacific.
India is the third stop of Austin's three-nation first overseas tour, and the visit is seen as a strong commitment of the Joe Biden administration to its close allies and partners in the region.
Ways to further accelerate India-US strategic ties, boosting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, China's aggressive behaviour in eastern Ladakh, challenges posed by terrorism and the Afghan peace process are expected to be focus of the talks between the two sides, people familiar with the visit preparation and agenda said.
They said India's plan to procure around 30 multi-mission armed Predator drones from the US for the three services at an estimated cost of over USD 3 billion is also expected to figure in the talks. -- PTI
17:33 Pension to all in Kerala ruling party's manifesto
The Ruling CPI(M) led LDF on Friday released its manifesto for the April 6 assembly elections promising to create 40 lakh new jobs for the youth and "pension for all housewives".
The manifesto was released at the AKG centre here by CPI (M) state secretary in charge A Vijayaraghavan, CPI Secretary, Kannan Rajendran and other leaders of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), which is seeking a second straight term.
A Rs 5,000 crore package for coastal areadevelopment to protect the shores from erosion, increasing the minimum support price for rubber to Rs 250a kg, attaining self- sufficiency in production of eggs, milk and vegetables are among assurances in the manifesto.
In his address on the occasion, Vijayaraghavan said pension would be given to all housewives, but did not elaborate. The social security pension would be increased to Rs 2,500 in phases, he added.
Apart from more houses under the LIFE Mission project for the poor, the poll document also assures dwelling units will be constructed for all members of tribal and Scheduled Caste communities, he said.
He claimed that "the biggest achievement" of the LDF government headed by Pinarayi Vijayan was "corruption- free"governance and said the manifesto has been drawn up keeping in mind its aim to retain power. PTI
17:24 Sensex snaps 5-session selloff, climbs 642 points
Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty regained footing on Friday after five days of losses as investors snapped up RIL, FMCG and IT stocks even as global markets tumbled amid concerns over rising US Treasury yields. Participants shrugged off a spurt in COVID-19 cases in multiple states, though reimposition of localised lockdowns can pose a threat to economic recovery, traders said.
After opening with significant losses, the 30-share BSE Sensex made a U-turn to end 641.72 points or 1.30 per cent higher at 49,858.24. On similar lines, the broader NSE Nifty surged 186.15 points or 1.28 per cent to finish at 14,744. NTPC was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying 4.58 per cent, followed by HUL, PowerGrid, Reliance Industries, ITC, UltraTech Cement and HCL Tech.
Index heavyweight Reliance Industries accounted for the lion's share of the gains.
On the other hand, L&T, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Auto and Titan were among the laggards, slipping up to 1.20 per cent. During the week, the Sensex sank 933.84 points or 1.83 per cent, while the Nifty declined 286.95 points or 1.90 per cent.
17:21 Govt sells 10 pc stake to exit Tata Communications
The government on Friday said it has exited Tata Communications after selling 10 per cent stake to Tata Sons' arm Panatone Finvest in an off-market trade.
The Government of India held 26.12 per cent stake while Panatone Finvest had 34.80 per cent, Tata Sons 14.07 per cent and the remaining 25.01 per cent was with the public before the transaction. "We wish to inform you that we have 2,85,00,000 equity shares held by us in Tata Communications Limited representing 10 per cent of the total shareholding of the company, to the buyer on March 18, 2021 by way of an off-market trade," the Department of Telecom on behalf of the President of India said in a regulatory note.
According to the regulatory filing, the government has sold 10 per cent stake to Panatone Finvest Limited. The government has already sold 16.12 per cent stake through an offer for sale to retail and non-retail investors at the floor price of Rs 1,161 per equity. The government has reserved a minimum of 25 per cent of the offer share for mutual funds and insurance companies subject to valid bids and 10 per cent for retail investors.
The OFS was subscribed 1.33 times. Tata Communications was formed after Tata Group acquired stake in 2002 in erstwhile Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited set up by the government in 1986. The stake is part of the government's disinvestment process. The government has set a target to realise Rs 32,000 crore in this fiscal. PTI
17:19 Param Bir Singh transfer: BJP leader flays 'contradictions'
Maharashtra BJP leader Pravin Darekar on Friday said the Uddhav Thackeray government in the state was "full of contradictions" as constituents were talking in different voices over the arrest of assistant inspector Sachin Waze and the transfer of Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh.
Waze was held by the NIA in connection with the case involving an explosives-laden vehicle near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, and on Wednesday Singh was transferred to the state police's home-guards wing. "The government is full of contradictions. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut has claimed all is well in the state. However, state home minister Anil Deshmukh has said there were some grave mistakes leading to the transfer of Param Bir Singh," Darekar said.
The leader of opposition in the Legislative Council said the statement of Deshmukh, as head of the state's home department, was crucial and asked who Raut was trying to shield and why. The Sena had defended Singh saying his transfer did not make him a criminal, and alleged a "particular lobby in Delhi" was upset with him as the TRP scam came to light during his tenure.
Speaking on a television channel on Thursday, minister Deshmukh said, "This is not an administrative transfer (of Singh). Some things have come to light in probes conducted by the NIA and the ATS."
"Some colleagues of the (former) Mumbai police chief (Singh) committed serious mistakes. Those are unforgivable mistakes. Hence, he was transferred. Further action will be taken based on the probe report," Deshmukh, a senior NCP leader, had added. -- PTI
17:02 Centre stops Delhi govt's doorstep delivery of ration scheme
The Central Government on Friday stopped the doorstep delivery of ration scheme MMGGRY (Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojana) of Delhi Government, scheduled to be launched on March 25.
According to a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the subsidised foodgrains being allocated by the department for distribution under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) cannot be used for running any state-specific or other scheme under a different name other than NFSA. The same is not permissible under the Act. The said notification has been issued to the Food and Civil Supplies department of the Delhi Government.
"The use of new nomenclature or scheme name for distribution of NFSA foodgrains by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi is not permissible," the notification said.
The notification further said, "The department will have no objection if a separate scheme is made by the UT government without mixing the elements of the NFSA foodgrains."
Under the MMGGRY scheme, the Delhi government was planning to provide packaged wheat flour, packaged rice and packaged sugar under the Targeted Public Distribution System. -- ANI
16:57 Lockdown is an option: Uddhav on Covid spike
A day after Maharashtra witnessed the highest one-day spike of 25,833 COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said lockdown is an option but he trusts people to follow the norms on their own.
Talking to reporters in Nandurbar, Thackeray also appealed people to get vaccinated against the virus without fear. The COVID-19 situation has become grimmer as the number of new cases on Thursday crossed the earlier highest rise which was recorded in September, he conceded.
"I see lockdown as an option going ahead. But I trust people of the state to cooperate (and follow the COVID-19 norms voluntarily) like the last time," he said. When the pandemic began last year, there was nothing to fight the virus with, Thackeray said.
"But now at least we have vaccines as a shield. The priority now is to ensure that everyone is vaccinated. People should come forward to take the vaccine," he said. The Union government has assured that there would be no shortage of vaccines, he said. There have been a few instances where a person caught infection after vaccination, but such cases are not "life- threatening", the chief minister said. "Everyone should get vaccinated without fear," he added. PTI
16:46 Ahmedabad shuts malls, multiplexes on weekends
A good move by the Ahmedabad civic body. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation decides to shut malls and multiplexes on Saturdays-Sundays due to COVID. "We're very upset as multiplexes were shut for 7 months and we had just started to settle down. On Saturdays and Sundays we expect most footfall," says a movie theatre owner.
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said the COVID-19 vaccination drive will be extended in the coming days and asserted that there should not be any misconceptions about the two Indian vaccines being administered in in the country.
16:16 Will Swapan Dasgupta be Bengal's BJP CM?
'I am as Bengali as they come in my cultural and personal orientation and I think probably all the BJP candidates who are contesting are pretty non-vegetarian in their food and as Bengali in their cultural orientation.'
Swapan Dasgupta, journalist and the BJP's candidate from Tarakeshwar speaks to Rediff.com's Payal Singh Mohanka. Read it here.
16:12 Rahul makes 5 promises to Assam
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the BJP promised Rs 365 daily to tea workers but paid only Rs 167, but "I am not PM Narendra Modi and do not lie" and he promised five things to the people of Assam.
The Congress leader promised Rs 365 daily for tea workers, action against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), five lakh jobs, 200 free units of electricity and Rs 2,000 to housewives. Addressing tea estate workers at a rally at Dinjoy in Assam's Dibrugarh, Gandhi said, "BJP promised Rs 365 but gives Rs 167 to Assam tea workers. I'm not Narendra Modi, I don't lie. Today, we give you 5 guarantees: Rs 365 for tea workers; we'll stand against CAA, 5 lakh jobs, 200 units free electricity and Rs 2,000 for housewives."
He said the party has prepared a manifesto not in a closed room but after talking to the people. The Congress leader also promised to create a special ministry in Assam for the tea industry, encourage self-employment and open Mobile Health Clinics in the state.
The Congress leader said, "We waived off Rs 70,000 crores of farmers' loan during the tenure of the UPA government. In Chhattisgarh, the main debt was pardoned, but BJP leaders said that it will not happen."
"Our governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan waived off farm loans. I am an MP from Kerala. Chai labourers in Kerala get Rs 380 daily, but those in Assam are paid less. The central government gives the Guwahati airport to the millionaire and gives tea gardens to outsiders," he added. -- ANI
TMC MP Mohua Moitra
15:37 Free, fair polls in Bengal distant reality: TMC
Alleging that fair elections in West Bengal are becoming a distant reality, a delegation of TMC MPs met the Election Commission on Friday to register their protest against the poll panel's reported decision to not permit state police personnel within 100 metres of polling stations.
The TMC parliamentary delegation, including Saugata Roy, Yashwant Sinha, Md Nadimul Haque, Pratima Mondal and Mahua Moitra, described the Election Commission's approach as partisan and biased.
"It is becoming increasingly clear that free, fair and transparent elections in State of West Bengal is becoming a distant reality. This is evident from the partisan and biased approach taken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in respect of the ongoing elections in the State, a memorandum submitted to the apex poll panel said.
"On the first count, it has been reported in media that the ECI has decided to not permit presence of State police within 100 m of polling stations and only deploy Central Forces in such arena. If true, this decision is unprecedented and casts severe aspersions on the reputation of the police administration in the State of West Bengal," it added.
The memorandum said this needs to be substantiated at the appropriate level. Stating that the ECI's decision is only for West Bengal and not the other four poll-bound states in the country, the Trinamool Congress said the deployment of central forces should be to help the state government deal with law and order and "not deliberately demonise the state police personnel that have worked under different governments".
"Propriety demands that there should be proper coordination between the State and Central forces to ensure free and fair elections and that combined groups of both State and Central Police forces be deployed within 100 m of the polling booths," the letter by the party said.
Despite several requests, it said, the apex poll panel had summarily dismissed the demand for tallying of all VVPAT machines, allegedly on account of the decision of the Supreme Court of India passed in March 2019. According to the party, its detailed submissions on the matter had clearly not been factored in.
"We urge you to withdraw your decision to deploy only central forces within 100 m of the polling stations. Further, we reiterate our demand to tally 100% VVPAT machines with EVMs after polling is over, to reassure the voters that his/her choice has indeed been recorded, both electronically and physically," it said. PTI
15:25 Mumbai landmarks get art installations with Corona Quilt project
Driving down Worli Seaface in Mumbai, you could be pleasantly surprised, and impressed, by huge quilts put on two prominent buildings, to commemorate one year of the coronavirus pandemic and the fight put up against it, as part of the Corona Quilt project.
A diverse array of site-specific installations scattered throughout Mumbai, the project was conceived during the initial weeks of the pandemic as a way to connect people, discuss self-expression and mental health, and bring communities together.
Quilting is a method of stitching layers of material like repurposed fabric and gunny bags to tablecloths and paper collages, and the cross-border submissions collected as part of the project are being printed on upcycled fabric and will be a part of the final presentation.
The year-long public event culminates in five separate installations, and was inaugurated by Maharashtra Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray on March 12 with 'Rise' by Dia Mehhta Bhupal, a Mumbai/Hyderabad-based interdisciplinary artist.
"If you pass by Worli Seaface and Haji Ali, you will find these beautiful quilts put up on the Worli Seaface School and Haji Ali Pumping Station. The one at the Haji Ali Pumping Station is about thanking our frontline workers from the Mumbai police and BMC who are still ensuring that our battle against Covid goes on to protect our citizens. The one at Worli Seaface School is about hope and rising," Thackeray said on the occasion.
"This movement has connected people of different ages from different cities and countries -- echoing the belief that we have all endured this crisis together, no matter our age, gender, occupation or nationality," said Neha Modi, co-founder of the Corona Quilt project.
15:18 Maha govt Covid guidelines till March 31 is here
Govt of Maharashtra issues fresh measures applicable till 31st March 2021, in the wake of rise in COVID19 cases in the state. All drama theatres and auditoriums to operate on 50% capacity, no entry to be allowed without proper wearing of masks. All pvt offices to function at 50% capacity.
Click on the image for the guidelines.
Sunny Leone adopted a baby girl a couple of years ago
15:08 14,500 children adopted in 4 years: Govt
Over 14,500 children in the country have been adopted since 2017, including 2,094 by foreign citizens, the Women and Child Development Ministry said on Friday.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said 12,867 children were adopted by Indians and 2,094 by foreign citizens from 2017 to 2021 (till March 16). In 2017-18, 3,276 children were adopted by Indians while 651 were adopted by foreign citizens. In 2018-19, 3,374 children were adopted by Indians and 653 by foreign citizens and in 2019-20, 3351 children were adopted by Indians and 394 by foreign citizens. In 2020-21 (up to March 16), 2866 children were adopted by Indians and 394 by foreign citizens. PTI
14:54 Forensic team at Nandigram
Poles in the area in Nandigram, where WB CM Mamata Banerjee was recently injured, was examined by the Forensic Science Laboratory, Government of West Bengal. The TMC has alleged it was a conspiracy by the BJP.
14:50 Follow COVID-19 guidelines: Venkaiah tells MPs as infections rise
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu urged the Members of Parliament on Friday to remain extra careful and strictly follow the coronavirus-related guidelines in the wake of rise in the number of cases in some states.
During the morning session, Naidu said while the severity has come down, reports are coming from certain states that the pandemic is spreading.
"...all the members of Parliament, who are here, who are there in their respective fields, to be extra careful. I know that you are all public representatives, you can't live in isolation. But at the same time, while dealing with people, meeting them, or going to the constituencies or areas, be careful, follow strictly the advice given by the Health Ministry and Home Ministry, central government, as well as the guidelines issued by the state governments concerned from time to time and see to it that they are implemented," he said.
Naidu further said MPs should take interest to see that common people too are guided properly. "One of the reasons, as we are seeing, though the severity has come down, but the cases are spreading here and there, is that people in those respective areas are not following the amount of discipline," he said, and added "we should not allow the situation to deteriorate".
The Chairman also urged MPs and their family members, who are eligible, to get themselves vaccinated. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi suggested that asthma and obesity too should be included in the list of comorbidities for vaccination, saying these two have emerged as a major cause of COVID-19 mortality. People of over 45 years with comorbidities are eligible for vaccination, along with senior citizens. Chaturvedi said she was a proponent of vaccine for all so that India could emerge out of COVID-19 sooner rather than later.
Visitors at the Alipore zoo, Kolkata
14:35 Lion injures man who jumped into zoo enclosure
A man was seriously injured after being attacked by a lion when he entered the animal's enclosure at the Alipore Zoo here on Friday, an official said. The unidentified man is undergoing treatment at the SSKM Hospital and his condition is "critical", hospital sources said.
The incident happened this morning at around 11.30 am when the man after entering the zoo "somehow managed to climb the boundary wall before jumping over the two netted- boundaries to get inside the enclosure. The lion, which was out of its cage, attacked the man. He has been very badly injured," an official said.
Alerted by the other visitors, security guards rescued the man and sent him to the SSKM Hospital after informing local police, the official added. "We are checking the CCTV footage to get a clear picture of the incident. We are trying to find out his identity," a policeman said. PTI
14:31 SUV case: Forensic team at NIA's Mumbai office
A six-member team of Pune's forensic science laboratory (FSL) on Friday reached the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) office in Mumbai in connection with the recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence, a police official said.
The forensic experts from Pune reached the NIA office in two cars, he said. However, the exact reason behind their visit is not yet clear. The FSL based in Mumbai's Kalina is already examining the Scorpio car in which explosives were found near Ambani's multi-storey house on February 25.
The same lab is also analysing the viscera samples of Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of that SUV. Hiran was found dead in a creek on March 5.
Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze has been arrested by the NIA in the explosives-laden SUV case. Following his arrest last Saturday, the state government has suspended him.
The NIA has so far seized five vehicles- the Scorpio, an Innova, two Mercedes cars and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Waze, an "encounter specialist", has also been facing heat in the murder case of Hiran, which is being probed by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
Hiran's wife has accused Waze of involvement in her husband's suspicious death. PTI
13:46 Biju Patnaik takes a religio-cultural turn
'Since 2019, the chief minister's politics has evolved to keep pace with the BJP's ambitions. His focus on religion and culture is seen to be part of his attempt to keep the BJP's ploy of painting opponents as insensitive to Hindu aspirations in check,' writes Debabrata Mohanty in the Hindustan Times, here.
13:44 Why testing asymptomatic coronavirus cases matters
'Transmission without symptoms critically contributes to the unabated spread of SARS-CoV-2 and presents a considerable infection prevention challenge. Although asymptomatic individuals appear to be contagious for a shorter period of time and may pose a lower transmission risk, they still pose a substantial public health risk as they are more likely to be out in the community. It is unclear how vaccination will affect the number of asymptomatic cases, although preliminary data suggest that mass immunization will reduce infection overall, thus reducing transmission,' write Angela L Rasmussen and Saskia V Popescu in science.sciencemag.org, here.
13:40 Bengal doesn't want to see Modi's face: Mamata
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at a rally in Midnapore tells people to oust BJP from the state. "Bid farewell to BJP, we don't want BJP. We don't want to see Modi's face. We don't want riots, looters, Duryodhan, Dushasana, Mir Jafar.
"Poribortan'(change) is Mamata Banerjee's slogan; why are you copying Mamata Banerjee? After winning Bengal, we will jump to Delhi and shake BJP."
The first big leader to quit the TMC and join the BJP, Suvendu Adhikari responds, "What happened to the United Front she (Mamata Banerjee) spoke about in 2019? Earlier too, she had claimed she would remove BJP from the Centre."
13:14 MBBS book linking Tablighi event to Covid outbreak withdrawn
A reference book for the second- year MBBS students in Maharashtra has been withdrawn after objections were raised over some part its contents that allegedly linked the Tablighi Jamaat's congregation in New Delhi last year to the outbreak of coronavirus, an official said on Friday.
The authors of the third edition of the book titled 'Essentials of Medical Microbiology' also tendered an apology in this connection. The Students Islamic Organisation had raised objections over the book's claim.
The organisation said there is no epidemiological study that establishes COVID-19 spread was accelerated because of the congregation of Tablighi Jamaat. After the objections, the book's authors - Dr Apurba Sastry and Dr Sandhya Bhat - apologised "if they inadvertently hurt the sentiments of a group of people".
The authors have also assured that necessary changes will be made in the new edition. A government official confirmed that the book has been withdrawn. The organisation welcomed the decision to withdraw the reference book.
The Tablighi Jamaat congregation was held at Nizamuddin Markaz in the national capital in March last year. Several people, who attended the event, had contracted COVID- 19. Several attendees were later arrested and faced legal action. However, the court had later dismissed the cases saying there was no evidence behind the allegations of these members being coronavirus spreaders. PTI
PM Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden
13:10 Video: 'A Maximalist Vision of US-India Relations'
Soon after the first virtual summit among leaders of the Quad nations last week, the Center for a New American Security hosted a special event on Thursday, 'US-India 2030: A Maximalist Vision of US-India Relations', featuring Ambassador Kenneth Juster, former US Ambassador to India (2017-2021), Ambassador Richard Verma, former US Ambassador to India (2014-2017), Richard Fontaine, CNAS CEO, and Lisa Curtis, director of the CNAS Indo-Pacific Security Program.
You can watch the video of the engrossing discussion here.
13:00 Rapid Antigen test must for entry to Mumbai malls
The BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) has said that it will make the Rapid Antigen Test facility to take samples for coronavirus testing compulsory for all malls in Mumbai.
India Today TV spoke to Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani who said that the cases were rising sharply hence the BMC has taken the decision.
"From March 22, it will be mandatory for all malls to have the swab collection facility. A team will be designated at the entrance for this very purpose. The details are being worked out."
The senior officials said that it is difficult to recognise an asymptomatic patient and once such a person visits a crowded place like a mall, the virus may spread.
"So either the people show their negative report before entering a mall or be ready for the swab test," he said.
The BMC also says that there is no possibility of a lockdown or night curfew in Mumbai. Instead, a stricter check will be kept at bus stops, public parking lots, outside eateries and all the places which are frequented by people.
File pic
12:55 Power outage in Mantralaya restored in 7 minutes
Power outage at Maharashtra Secretariat Building, due to high voltage at Nariman Point receiving point. A team of engineers have been deployed for restoration work, says PRO, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST). Power supply to Mantralaya, Fourshore Road and Maharshi Karve Road was cut off at 11.55 am due to a fault in the feeder. BEST's engineers and technicians restored the power supply in 7 minutes.
12:48 HC refuses to stay summons issued to Mehbooba in PMLA case
The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to stay summons issued to former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case.
A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh said they are not granting any relief to the PDP leader. The court asked the ED to file a short note of submission along with compilation of judgements relied upon by them before the next date on April 16.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, said Mufti just has to appear before the officials. The ED, which had earlier summoned Mufti for March 15, has not been issued summons for March 22.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister has been summoned for March 22. Senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, representing Mufti, urged the court to ask ED not to insist for her personal presence as was done earlier.
To this, the bench said, "We are not giving any stay. We are not granting any relief." Mufti has sought quashing of summons issued to her by the ED in a money laundering case. She has also sought to declare section 50 (power of ED officer to record statement) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as void and inoperative, being unfairly discriminatory, bereft of safeguards, and violative of Article 20(3) of the Constitution.
She has also sought an interim stay on the summons until the question of law in relation to constitutionality of Section 50 of the Act is decided. PTI
12:42 Indias domestic air travel numbers crashlanded in Feb
India's domestic air traffic fell 37 per cent year-on-year to 78 lakh (7.8 million) passengers in February amid travel curbs and capacity restrictions due to the pandemic, according to Icra (see infographic alongside).
Even the sequential growth slowed down for the second consecutive month in February with a nearly flat growth over January 2021, rating firm Icra said in a release.
Domestic passenger traffic in January this year was recorded at 77.34 lakh, according to DGCA data.
Similarly, 1.23 crore people travelled on local routes in February 2020 as against 78 lakh passenger in February this year.
12:11 Delhi lobby upset with Mumbai top cop: Sena
Two days after Param Bir Singh was shunted out from the post of Mumbai police commissioner, the Shiv Sena on Friday defended him saying that his transfer does not make him a criminal, and alleged that a "particular lobby in Delhi" was upset with him as the TRP scam came to light during his tenure.
The ruling party in Maharashtra also questioned the move of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) taking over the probe into the explosives-laden SUV found parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house last month, saying that the agency generally investigates terrorism-related cases, but there was no terror angle involved in this episode.
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday transferred Singh, who was under fire over handling of the Ambani-SUV case, and appointed senior IPS officer Hemant Nagrale in his place. "A vehicle containing 20 gelatin sticks was found on Mumbai's Carmichael Road, which has triggered blasts in the state politics and administration in the last few days. Param Bir Singh was removed as Mumbai police commissioner and senior officer Hemant Nagrale was appointed in his place.
These are not routine transfers," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. The explosives-laden SUV found near Ambani's house and the suspicious death of Mansukh Hiran, who was in possession of the vehicle, are worrisome. The opposition BJP has raised some questions over it, but while the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) was probing the Hiran death case, the NIA took over the investigation (into the vehicle found near Ambani's house), it said. Hope its motive is not to malign the state government, it added.
"The NIA generally probes terrorism-related cases. But there is no terror angle involved in this case and still it stepped in. However, the outcome of the agency's probe into the terror attacks of Uri, Pathankot and Pulwama is still a mystery. The 20 gelatin sticks found in Mumbai appears to be a big challenge for the NIA," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said.
It said that Param Bir Singh had taken over as Mumbai police chief during the difficult time of coronavirus pandemic and boosted the morale of the police force. "During his tenure, the television rating points (TRP) scam came to light. A particular lobby in Delhi was upset with him over that," it said. Now, Singh has been transferred, but it does not make him a criminal, the party added. -- PTI
11:44 Hiren death case: Maha ATS to seek Waze's custody
After the National Investigation Agency (NIA), now the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) will be seeking custody of Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Waze, in connection with the investigation into the Mansukh Hiren death case, top sources of ATS confirmed.
As per sources, the ATS will oppose the anticipatory bail application of Sachin Waze in Thane Sessions Court today. Waze had moved Thane Sessions court seeking anticipatory bail.
Meanwhile, the NIA on Wednesday confirmed that the person, seen in a CCTV grab walking near Mukesh Ambani's residence on the night of February 25 when an explosive-laden vehicle was found, was Sachin Waze.
NIA was investigating a CCTV visual that surfaced on Monday showing a person walking near Ambani's residence, on the night an explosive-laden vehicle was found, wearing what initially seemed like a PPE (Personal protective equipment).
Waze was transferred to the Citizen Facilitation Centre at the Mumbai Police Headquarters after his name came up in the death case of Mansukh Hiren, the owner of the vehicle that was found on Carmichael Raod outside Antilia on February 25.
Hiren was found dead in a creek on March 5 in Thane.Waze was sent to NIA custody till March 25 on Sunday. He had on Saturday moved an anticipatory bail application at Thane District and Sessions Court.
The matter briefly came up for hearing on March 12 but the court refused to give Waze interim relief and issued notice to the state government and posted the matter for hearing on March 19. -- ANI
11:18 Covid patients above 65 more prone to reinfection
While most people who have had COVID-19 are protected from catching it again for at least six months, elderly patients above 65 years of age are more prone to reinfection, says a new study published in The Lancet journal.
The scientists from Denmark's Statens Serum Institut analysed data collected as part of the country's national COVID-19 testing strategy, through which more than two-thirds of the population (four million people) were tested in 2020.
According to the scientists, while prior infection gave those under the age of 65 years around 80 per cent protection against reinfection, for those 65 and older it conferred only 47 per cent protection, indicating they are more likely to catch COVID-19 again.
In the study, the researchers calculated the ratios of positive and negative test results taking account of differences in age, sex, and time since infection, using which they produced estimates of protection against reinfection.
Among people who had COVID-19 during the first wave between March and May 2020, they said only 0.65 per cent tested positive again during the second wave from September to December 2020.
The rate of infection was five times higher, at 3.3 per cent, among those who returned a positive test during the second wave having previously tested negative.
Among those under the age of 65 who had COVID-19 during the first wave, 0.60 per cent tested positive again during the second wave, the study noted.
However, the rate of infection during the second wave among people in this age group who had previously tested negative was 3.60 per cent.
The researchers noted that older people are at greater risk of reinfection, with 0.88 per cent of those aged 65 or older who were infected during the first wave testing positive again in the second wave.
During this second wave, 2 per cent tested positive among those 65 or older who had previously not had COVID-19, the study noted.
Due to the time frame of the study, the scientists said it was not possible to estimate protection against reinfection with COVID-19 variants, some of which are known to be more transmissible.
They said further studies are needed to assess how protection against repeat infection might vary with different COVID-19 strains.
Based on the analysis, the researchers suggested that people who have had the virus should still be vaccinated, as natural protection -- particularly among the elderly -- cannot be relied upon.
They believe the findings highlight the importance of measures to protect elderly people during the pandemic, such as enhanced social distancing and prioritisation for vaccines, even for those who have recovered from COVID-19. -- PTI
11:11 Ashoka University faculties write to VC on Pratap Bhanu Mehta's resignation
Faculty members, students and alumni of the Ashoka University in Sonipat have expressed anguish over noted political commentator Pratap Bhanu Mehta's resignation as a professor, saying his exit seems to be a direct consequence of his role as a public intellectual and critic of the government.
While the faculty members have written to the vice chancellor and board members, saying Mehta's exit has set a "chilling precedent for future removals of faculty", the alumni council of the university has released a separate statement expressing solidarity with Mehta, who stepped down as the VC of the university two years ago and resigned as a professor earlier this week.
The developments came on a day when eminent economist Arvind Subramanian also resigned as a professor of the university.
While a query sent to the university regarding the developments remained unanswered till the filing of the report, VC Malabika Sarkar told the students and faculty members at a virtual town hall meeting that Mehta was asked to reconsider his decision, but "he has asked to be left alone".
The faculty members have noted that Mehta's resignation is a "matter of great anguish".
"In light of media reports that circulated before the official announcement of Professor Mehta's departure from the university, it seems quite plausible that his resignation was a direct consequence of his role as a public intellectual and critic of the government. We are greatly troubled by this scenario," the statement by the faculty members said.
"Mehta's resignation is not just an occasion for sorrow over the departure of a deeply respected and admired colleague. It also raises urgent questions about the university's commitment to academic freedom as well as its internal processes. Even more troubling is the possibility that our university may have acceded to pressure to remove Professor Mehta or to request, and accept, his resignation," it added.
The faculty members said, "We request the university to ask Professor Mehta to rescind his resignation. We also request that the university clarify its internal protocols of faculty appointment and dismissal, and reinforce its institutional commitment to the principles of academic freedom."
The Ashoka University Student Government, Alumni Council and other members of the university community released a separate statement expressing solidarity with Mehta.
"The events that have transpired point to a failure on the chancellor and vice-chancellor's part in protecting the university faculty from external pressures and, more importantly, also point to a failure of the founders to ensure the same," the statement said.
Nearly 100 students and faculty members staged a protest in the university in the afternoon.
The students said they were "extremely saddened" by the exit of Mehta and Subramanian, who they said were invaluable members of the Ashoka community.
"We strongly condemn these resignations and the lack of transparency from the university about the same. It is unacceptable that we are learning about the exits from news reports and not the university itself," the students said.
At the virtual town hall meeting with the VC in the evening, the students and faculty members raised questions on the role of the trustees and founders of the university in Mehta's resignation, which led Subramanian to quit.
The VC told them that she was not a part of any conversation between Mehta and the trustees.
"The trustees have categorically told me to convey on their behalf that they never asked Mehta to resign," she said during the nearly two-hour-long meeting. -- PTI
10:24 Covid: India records this years biggest 1-day spike
India saw 39,726 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, the highest single day rise recorded so far this year, taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 1,15,14,331, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
Registering an increase for the ninth day in a row, the total active caseload has reached 2,71,282, which now comprises 2.36 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate has further dropped to 96.26 per cent, the data stated.
The daily rise in infections (39,726) was the highest recorded in 110 days, while the death toll increased to 1,59,370 with 154 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
As many as 41,810 new infections were recorded in a span of 24 hours on November 29.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,10,83,679, while the case fatality rate has further to 1.38 per cent, the data stated.
India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
According to ICMR, 23,13,70,546 samples have been tested up to March 18 with 10,57,383 samples being tested on Thursday. -- PTI
09:58 Sensex tanks over 600 pts in early trade
Equity benchmark Sensex tanked over 600 points in early trade on Friday, tracking losses in HDFC Bank, L&T and Reliance Industries amid negative cues from global markets.
The 30-share BSE index was trading 617.10 points or 1.25 per cent lower at 48,599.42, and the broader NSE Nifty fell 201.35 points or 1.38 per cent to 14,356.50.
ONGC was the top loser in the Sensex pack, slumping around 5 per cent, followed by L&T, Bajaj Finance, M&M, Maruti, SBI, Titan, HDFC twins and Reliance Industries.
On the other hand, Kotak Bank, Bharti Airtel and PowerGrid were the gainers.
In the previous session, Sensex ended 585.10 points or 1.17 per cent lower at 49,216.52, and Nifty slumped 163.45 points or 1.11 per cent to 14,557.85.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital market on Thursday as they bought shares worth Rs 1,258.47 crore, as per exchange data.
Domestic equities do not look inspiring for the day. Intensifying concerns pertaining to the recent surge in coronavirus cases in various parts of the country have clearly dented investors' sentiments in domestic markets, said Binod Modi Head-Strategy at Reliance Securities.
Further, a sharp spike in USA treasury yields and inflationary concerns also weighed on sentiments, he noted.
"US equities finished sharply lower yesterday as investors dealt with twin threats of rising bond yields and sliding oil prices. 10-Year US Treasury yield surged 9 bps on Thursday to 14-month high to 1.73 per cent despite Federal Reserve maintaining its dovish stance on interest rates," Modi added. -- PTI
09:50 Amid Covid spike, huge crowd seen at Mumbai's Dadar market
Despite a recent spurt in coronavirus infections and the threat of a lockdown in Maharashtra, a massive crowd was witnessed at Dadar Market in Mumbai today morning.
The people in the famous market were seen flouting social distancing guidelines and many were also seen without masks.
Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 25,833 new coronavirus cases, the highest one-day spike since last March when the first coronavirus infection was detected.
Mumbai's COVID-19 tally increased to 3,52,851 and eight deaths took the fatality count to 11,559.
09:45 South Africa has world's most dangerous roads; India in 4th place: Study
South Africa has been ranked as the world's most dangerous country to drive in while India came in at fourth place, according to a research study undertaken by international driver education company Zutobi.
Among the list of 56 countries in the study, Thailand came in second position and the United States took up third spot.
The safest roads in the world can be found in Norway, with its Scandinavian neighbour Sweden having the third safest roads while Japan took second place, according to the study.
"We analysed each country on five factors, giving each one a normalised score out of ten for each factor, before taking an average final score across all five factors," Zutobi said.
These factors included estimates on the number of road traffic deaths per 100,000 population; the percentage of car occupants who use a seat-belt when travelling in the front of a vehicle; and the proportion of road traffic deaths which have been attributed to alcohol consumption over the national legal limit.
These estimates were based on the World Health Organization's Global Health Observatory data repository.
The maximum speed limit on motorway and blood alcohol content restrictions in the various countries were also taken into account.
But Zutobi's findings have been challenged by the Justice Project SA, an NGO that aims to improve road traffic laws and their enforcement in South Africa.
JPSA Chairperson Howard Dembovsky, while agreeing that South Africans tended to be poor drivers, said that Zutobi had used outdated figures in its study.
Dembovsky also queried why South Africa was the only African country in its list.
"So to accuse us of being the worst in the world is a little bit unfair. If you are going to talk about the worst countries in the world, then you need to adopt a balanced approach," Dembovsky said as he commented on poor driving in his country in an interview with radio station Cape Talk.
"(South African drivers) do have a shocking road safety record. As much as I would not place much reliance on that so-called study, there is still plenty of evidence to show that South Africans are dangerous drivers and inconsiderate drivers and have very little regard for the safety of others on our roads," he said. -- PTI
09:01 US Senators ask Blinken to raise farmers issue with India
Observing that it is for the people and the Government of India to determine the path forward on its recently enacted farm laws, two top Democratic senators have urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to raise the issue of treatment of peaceful farmer protesters and journalists.
In a letter to Blinken, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday urged the Biden administration to further engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over its treatment of farmers in India who have been peacefully demonstrating against the passage of new farm laws.
"India is a long-term strategic partner with deep ties to the United States thanks to our many shared values and our large and valued Indian American community. In light of these shared values and strong connections, we write with serious concern regarding the response of the Indian government to the farmer protests," Menendez and Schumer wrote in their joint letter to Blinken.
In their letter, released to the press, the two senators urged Blinken to raise the importance of freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest in conversations with his Indian counterparts and to ensure that State Department officials at all levels do so as well.
After becoming the Secretary of State, Blinken has spoken with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar multiple times. The readouts of the phone calls do not indicate that Blinken raised this issue, under pressure from his party men, with Jaishankar. The Biden administration has insisted that the two countries share democratic values.
Schumer and Menendez said the months-long demonstrations have been met with orders from the central government and local authorities to shut off internet access in protest areas, cut off water and electricity supplies for the tens of thousands living in protest camps, and impede the work of journalists reporting on the protests.
"India's people and government will determine the path forward on these laws, and peaceful dialogue and respect for the viewpoints of all peaceful actors should drive that decision. As the US pursues a more perfect union here at home, including efforts to bolster the rule of law and our democracy, those efforts reinforce the importance of addressing challenges to democracies abroad as well," the Senators wrote.
The letter by Schumer and Menendez comes a day after the latter wrote a similar letter to Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is visiting India this week.
There has been no response from either Austin or Blinken if they plan to raise these issues with their Indian counterparts, especially when the Biden administration is going out of its way in its outreach with the Modi government given the serious challenge it is facing from China.
Blinken and the US National Security Advisor are scheduled to meet their Chinese counterparts in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday and Saturday. This is the first in-person meriting that the Biden administration is having with the Chinese leadership.
In the past, both Schumer and Menendez have spoken about the important role that India has in their China policy. They have both called for a strong relationship with India. Both have been sponsors of some key legislations in this regard. Prominent among them include, Democracy Technology Partnership Act which says that the world's major liberal-democratic nations must work together in a technology partnership to ensure that these technologies advance democratic institutions, norms, and values, contributing to global peace and prosperity.
The Democracy Technology Partnership Act establishes an inter-agency office at the US Department of State to lead in the creation of a new partnership among the world's tech-leading democracies.
In their letter, Menendez and Schumer said following the passage of new farm laws last fall, the farmers have engaged in over 100 days of peaceful demonstrations to express their opposition to certain policies. -- PTI
08:45 Couple ties knot at farmers' protest site in MP
In an unusual way to extending support to farmers' protest against the Centre's farm laws, a couple tied the knot on Thursday at an agitation site in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa.
Speaking to reporters after marriage, the groom, Sachin Singh said: "The farmers' agitation is going on since January 3. Farmers have been demanding the repeal of three black laws as they are not in the interest of farmers. Farmers will organise every function here. Birthdays have also been celebrated here. We will not leave until these laws are repealed."
Sachin's father Ramjit Singh who is affiliated with Madhya Pradesh Kisan Sabha said they wanted to strong message to the government that they will not leave the site until farm laws are repealed.
"We wanted to give a strong message to the government that we will not leave this site until we win this fight," said Ramjit Singh.
Farmers have been protesting against the three newly enacted farm laws -- Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. -- ANI
08:31 US Defence Secretary to arrive in India today
US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin to arrive in India today on a three-day visit.
Austin will meet his Indian counterpart Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior dignitaries of the government.
The visit comes on the heels of the first-ever summit of the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad, on March 12 which was attended by Biden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japans Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morison.
00:53 PM Modi 'avatar' of Bhagwan, Allah: BJP MP
Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Tapir Gao, on Thursday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an 'avatar' of God who is taking the country in the right direction.
He said in Lok Sabha that Modi's work for tea plantation workers in West Bengal and Assam is like an 'avtar' of 'Bhagwan, Allah'.
In a debate on supplementary demands for grants for Jammu and Kashmir, BJP's Jamyang Tsering Namgyal hailed the prime minister as a 'yug purush' (man of era) for realising the dream of BJP ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who had opposed the special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
In a separate discussion, participating in the debate on the second and final batch of the supplementary demands for grants for 2020-21, Gao said the Modi government took several steps during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said India today supplies COVID-19 vaccines to 100 countries.
"He (PM) is not a human being, he is an avatar of someone (wo kisike avatar hai) who has become the prime minister and is taking the nation in the right direction. We as Indians should be proud of it," Gao said.
The Arunachal East MP listed out a series of steps taken by the Modi government for the infrastructure development of the northeast and his home state.
Referring to allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the welfare of tea plantation workers in Assam and West Bengal in the Union Budget 2021-22, Gao said through this Modi has instilled hopes in their lives.
"Modi ji has done the work of driving away the problems of tea plantation workers in Assam and West Bengal. What Modi has done, it is some sort of work done by an avtar of God (Bhagwan, Allah)," he said. -- PTI
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