New Delhi: The Asian Development Bank on Tuesday said it has approved USD 1.5 billion (about Rs 11,400 crore) loan to India to help fund its fight against coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Shipping today said that Major Ports will grant compensation /Ex-Gratia of Rs 50 lakh in the event of loss of life due to COVID-19 to the dependent members/legal heirs of the port employees as well as other contractual labourers.
Updates on COVID-19 from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
As of now, 6,868 people have been cured of Covid-19, with a recovery rate of 23.3%. A total of 29,435 people have been confirmed positive as of now for COVID-19 in India. There are 17 districts in the country where earlier cases had come, but now no new case has been reported for the last 28 days. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued guidelines on home isolation for very mild / pre-symptomatic patients. Patients who have a requisite facility at their residence for self-isolation will have the option for home isolation.Regarding plasma therapy for COVID-19, ICMR has already stated clearly that currently there are no approved therapies for COVID-19 including plasma therapy. It is one of the many therapies which are being experimented with. However, so far there is no evidence to support it as a treatment. However, it needs to be clarified that until ICMR concludes its study and robust scientific proof is available, it should not be used except for research and trial purposes.
ADB approves $1.5 billion loan to India
Government of India and the Asian Development Bank today signed a $1.5 billion loan that will support the government’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, focusing on immediate priorities such as disease containment and prevention, as well as social protection for the poor and economically vulnerable sections of the society, especially women and disadvantaged groups. The ADB’s Board of Directors approved the loan to provide budget support to the government to counter and mitigate the adverse health and socio-economic impact of the pandemic.
Wheat procurement under central pool gathers momentum
Procurement of wheat is progressing at a very fast pace in all major procuring states of the country. A quantity of 88.61 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) wheat has already been procured for the central pool till 26.04.2020. Out of this, major contribution has been from Punjab with 48.27 LMT followed by Haryana with 19.07 LMT. Going by the present pace of procurement, the target of 400 LMT kept for the season is likely to be achieved.
Wheat harvesting continues briskly amidst the lockdown
Wheat harvesting across the country is continuing at a brisk pace amidst the lockdown. SOP related to crop harvesting & threshing during Kharif 2020 are being adhered to by the farmers and workers. The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India has circulated the SOP to the States for compliance in order to protect health of farmers and farm workers and to contain the spread of Corona Virus.
Record fertilizer sales during lockdown period
Amid National level covid -19 lockdown, there has been a record sale of Fertilizers to farmer community. During 1 – 22 April 2020, POP sale of fertilizers to farmers was 10.63 lakh MT which is 32 percent higher than the last year sale of 8.02 lakh MT during the same period.Despite lot of movement restrictions due to National level COVID-19 lockdown, with the concerted efforts of Department of Fertilizers, Railways, States and Ports, production and supply of fertilizers in the country is going on without hindrance.
Rs. 50 lakh compensation for Port employees/workers if succumbs to Covid-19
Ministry of Shipping has decided that all the Major Ports may grant compensation /Ex-Gratia of Rs 50 lakh in the event of loss of life due to COVID-19 to the dependent members/legal heirs of the port employees as well as other contractual labourers.
EPFO settles about 13 Lakh Claims During Lockdown
Keeping up the momentum speedier EPF disbursal during Lockdown, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), has settled a total of 12.91 lakhs claims, including 7.40 lakhs COVID-19 claims under PradhanMantriGarib KalyanYojana (PMGKY) package. This involves disbursal of a total amount of Rs. 4684.52 crores which includes Rs. 2367.65 crores COVID claims under PMGKY package.
Gadkari calls for facilitating Inter-State border movement of Trucks/Lorries
Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and MSMES ShriNitinGadkari has called upon all the States/UTs to take urgent action so that blockades of trucks and lorries at inter State/UT borders is cleared at the earliest possible, as smooth movement of essential goods to various parts of the country is essential. Speaking at the meeting of State/UT Road Transport Ministers held via Video Conference, ShriGadkari urged the Ministers to intervene in such matters and ensure resolutions through the local/district administrations. He further pointed out that transportation of labour to factories etc may be facilitated by duly following the health protocols. He pointed out that providing food and shelter to labour may be ensured while fully observing the norms of social distancing and hygiene.
UIDAI allows Aadhaar Updation facility through CSCs
In a major relief to those living in rural areas, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has allowed the Common Service Centre, an SPV under the Ministry of IT and Electronics, to begin the Aadhaarupdation facility at their 20,000 CSCs which operate as Banking Correspondents (BCs), said Union Minister for Communications, MEITY and Law and Justice Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad in a tweet. Around 20,000 CSCs will now be able to offer this service to citizens.
Varanasi: Drones to sanitize sensitive areas
Varanasi Smart City has engaged ‘Garuda Aerospace Private Limited, a Chennai Based company for spraying of sanitizer in the selected areas of Varanasi City under Smart Cities Mission.
Agartala uses mobile kiosk for COVID-19 sample collection
Agartala Smart City has designed and handed over a Mobile COVID-19 sample collection kiosk to city’s Chief Medical Officer. The kiosk ensures protection to the sample collecting doctor & prevents wastage of personal protection equipment (PPE). This initiative is a major step by Agartala in the fight against Covid-19.
