Over 60k new COVID-19 cases reported in last 24 hours, lowest after 75 days
National COVID recovery rate improves to 95.64 pct
Centre provides over 26.69 crore vaccine doses to States, UTs so far
West Bengal govt extends restrictions till June 30 with further relaxations; Unlock 2.0 extended for a week with certain restrictions in Bihar
Uttarakhand govt extends COVID curfew till 22 June; Chardham Yatra opens for devotees of Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi districts
2030 HRS.
14th June, 2021
THE HEADLINES:-
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As many states are relaxing lockdown norms, we advise our listeners not to lower their guard as the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat to our health. Please stay at home unless it is essential to go out and continue to follow the four simple steps –
For any COVID related information and guidance contact National helpline numbers -- 011-23978046 and 1075.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India has always given importance to land and consider the sacred Earth as mother. He said India has taken lead to highlight land degradation issues at international fora. The Prime Minister was virtually addressing a UN 'High-Level Dialogue on Desertification, Land Degradation & Drought'. Mr Modi said around 3 million hectares of forest cover had been added in India over the last ten years. He said this has enhanced the combined forest cover to almost one fourth of country's total area. He stated that India is on track to achieve national commitment of land degradation neutrality.
Mr Modi pointed out that land degradation affects over two third of the world today.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal today said that India’s per-capita carbon dioxide emission is the lowest amongst big economies. He said the ambitious renewable energy target of 450 Gigawatts by 2030 shows India's commitment towards the United Nations 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking at the UN Trade Forum 2021, the Minister said that Climate justice should be protected and developed countries should reconsider their pattern of consumption and focus on sustainable lifestyles.
Mr Goyal said India has taken many bold steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, afforestation and bio-diversity. India has also encouraged global initiatives like International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
The Minister called for decoupling the Trade policy and Green goals. He said that trade policy should look for more inclusive growth all over the world. He said that a clean environment and inclusive development which is sustainable, is a priority agenda for India.
Procurement of wheat in ongoing Rabi Marketing Season 2021-22 is continuing smoothly in the procuring states. Over 425.77 Lakh Metric Tonnes of Wheat has been procured till now. This is an all time high, as it has exceeded previous high of 389.92 Lakh Metric Tonnes of RMS 2020-21. About 47.53 Lakh farmers have already been benefited from the ongoing procurement operations with the Minimum Support Price value of over 84 thousand crore rupees. Paddy procurement in the ongoing Kharif season is continuing smoothly in the procuring States with purchase of over 826 Lakh Metric Tonnes of paddy against the last year's corresponding purchase of more than 743 Lakh Metric Tonnes.
About 122.24 Lakh farmers have already benefited from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with Minimum Support Price value of over one lakh 56 thousand crore rupees.
In view of the difficulties reported by taxpayers in electronic filing of Income Tax Forms 15CA/15CB on the portal www.incometax.gov.in, it has been decided that taxpayers can submit these forms in manual format to the authorized dealers till 30th of this month. The Finance Ministry in a statement said that authorized dealers are advised to accept such Forms till 30th June for the purpose of foreign remittances. A facility will be provided on the new e-filing portal to upload these forms at a later date for the purpose of generation of the Document Identification Number. As per the Income-tax Act, 1961, there is a requirement to furnish Form 15CA/15CB electronically. Presently, taxpayers upload the Form 15CA, along with the Chartered Accountant Certificate in Form 15CB, wherever applicable, on the e-filing portal, before submitting the copy to the authorized dealer for any foreign remittance.
India has administered over 25 crore 48 lakh COVID vaccine doses to the beneficiaries so far. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has said, over 14 lakh 99 thousand vaccine doses were administered to the beneficiaries within 24 hours.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi will start recruitment for Covaxin clinical trials tomorrow onwards for the children who are in the age group of 6 to 12 years. Clinical trials of children in the 2 to 6 age group will start after that. The trial on children has already started at AIIMS Patna to see if the Bharat Biotech jab is suitable for children. Participants would be given the vaccine after their screening report comes. A national expert group has been formed to review COVID-19 infections in children and approach the pandemic in a renewed way to strengthen the nation’s preparedness.
India is registering a significant decline in active caseload and fresh cases of Corona virus. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry said, the active caseload presently comprises 3.29 per cent of the cumulative positive cases and it is continuously declining. It said, the country has registered a decline of over 50 thousand active cases in the last 24 hours. At present, there are over nine lakh 73 thousand active cases in the country.
India’s daily recoveries continue to outnumber the daily new cases for the 32nd consecutive day. Over one lakh 19 thousand patients have recovered from COVID-19 within 24 hours. The recovery rate has reached 95.43 per cent in the country.
The country registered a total of 70 thousand 421 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours. The Health Ministry said, a total of three thousand 921 deaths were reported in the country within 24 hours, taking the toll to over three lakh 74 thousand across the country.
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D.V. Sadananda Gowda has informed that additional 1 lakh six thousand 300 vials of anti fungal drug Liposomal Amphotericin B have been allocated across all the States, Union Territories and Central Institutions today. He said the allocation will help to ensure significant availability of the drug in the country.
The West Bengal government today announced extension of Covid restrictions till the 30th June. However, various relaxations have been announced from tomorrow in view of the declining trend in daily new Covid-19 cases. Covid-19 restrictions have been imposed in West Bengal since the 16th of May.
"The state govt further relaxed the restrictions and decided government offices to be opened from tomorrow with 25 percent attendance. IT industries have been allowed to run with 50 percent workforce. Markets will be open for one more hour in the morning while shopping malls, stand alone shops and restaurants will be open during specific times. However, educational institutes, Spa and Gyms will remain closed. Public transport except staff special trains and vehicles marked for health, essential and emergency services will be restricted. Madhuparna Dhar Chowdhuri, for AIR News Kolkata."
In Kerala, the Covid graph is continuing its downward trend, as the state recorded 7,719 new Covid cases today. The State government hinted at more relaxations in lockdown measures in the upcoming days.
"Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Covid infection rate in the State has decreased. The average Test positivity rate in the State for the last 3 days is below 13%. Mr Vijayan indicated that there will be a strategical change in the lockdown measures after Wednesday with restrictions to remain in areas with high infection rate. State Health minister Veena George said that the Government has made a comprehensive action plan foreseeing the third wave of the pandemic. She said that along with the enhancement of medical facilities, vaccine distribution will also be increased. Mayusha for AIR News from Thiruvananthapuram."
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Dr C Satish Reddy said, a total of 850 oxygen plants are being set up in various districts of the country from the PM Cares Fund to fight the pandemic of COVID-19. Dr Reddy highlighted this at the Department of Science and Technology Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Discourse Series.
He added that DRDO was prepared to provide all kinds of support when the need arises, and more flying hospitals would be ready, as was provided by the DRDO in the second wave of COVID-19, to help the people. He said, flying hospitals have been made in a way that the virus does not go out of hospitals and if there is any third wave, all the hospitals will be taking the load.
A Pune-based start-up firm has come up with 3D-printed Masks Coated with Anti-Viral Agents. The firm Thincr Technologies India Private Limited said the mask is more effective than N-95, 3-ply and cloth masks. An integration of 3D printing and pharmaceuticals has resulted in a novel type of mask which attacks the virus when viral particles come in contact with it. The masks are coated with anti-viral agents known otherwise as virucides. The virucidal mask project is among the earliest projects to have been selected for commercialization, by Technology Development Board, a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology in Government of India.
The project received financial support from TDB as part of its search for novel solutions to fight COVID-19, in May 2020.
Founder Director Dr. Shitalkumar Zambad said, most masks which were then available and within the reach of common people were homemade and of relatively low quality. Dr Zambad said, it is this need for high-quality masks which led to undertake a project to develop and commercialize cost-effective and more efficient virucidal coated masks, as a better approach to reduce the spread of infection.
"The coating is seen to inactivate the SARS-COV-2 virus. The material used for coating on the mask is a solution based on sodium olefin sulphonate. It is a soap forming agent with hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. In contact with enveloped viruses, it disrupts the outer membrane of the virus. Dr Zambad Saïd, The ingredients used are found to be stable at room temperature and are widely used in cosmetics. The firm has applied for a patent for this product. The firm which already commenced commercial scale manufacturing has already distributed 6,000 virucidal masks to four government hospitals in Nandurbar, Nashik and Bengaluru as well as a girls’ school and college in Bengaluru through an NGO."
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the social media platforms to share information about the posts being published for direct adoption of children orphaned during Covid-19 pandemic. The decision came in the wake of complaints received by the Commission against the social media posts which had been published for adopting children.
In a letter written to Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and Telegram, the Commission has asked them to inform law enforcement authorities and the Commission it self about such posts.
"Social media platforms have been asked to provide details of internet protocol address, origin of the post and other such relevant details. The Commission has said that a compliance or action taken report must be sent to the commission within 10 days. The NCPCR has said that any such adoption which happens without following procedures of the Juvenile Justice Act are illegal and in violation of the law. The Supreme Court had directed that no adoption of affected children should be permitted contrary to the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015. Suparna Saikia, AIR News, Delhi."
The National Commission for Women started a campaign Happy to Help during the surge in COVID-19 cases. The Helpline which was started on 29th April has helped 896 pregnant women across the country.The State Commissions too were involved in making the helpline a success. Speaking to AIR News, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma said that in future too they will help women in distress.
"ऐसी महिलाएं जिनको कभी ऑक्सीजन की ज़रूरत थी, कभी हॉस्पीटल बैड की, वैंटीलेटर्स की, मेडिसिन की कुछ ऐसी आईं जिनको काउंसलिंग की ज़रूरत थी, डॉक्टर्स से बात करने की ज़रूरत थी। ये सभी महिलाओं को राष्ट्र महिला आयोग ने हेल्प पहुंचाई।"
The Department of Personnel and Training has asked all government servants at level of under secretary and above to attend office on working days from 16th to 30th of June. The DoPT released an office memorandum that 50 per cent of government servants of level below under secretaries will work from home. Disabled and pregnant employees will work from home. The officers will follow staggered timings to avoid over crowding in offices. Meeting, as far as possible, shall be conducted on video conferencing and personal meetings with visitors are to be avoided.
The DoPT has decided to delink the requirement of submission of summary of Medical Report for filing of Annual Appraisal Reports of Senior Government officials this year. The Department in an order issued today said that the decision has been taken in view of the prevailing situation.
All Centrally-protected monuments, sites and museums in the country under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), will be opened from Wednesday. In an order issued today, ASI said that the decision has been taken considering the prevailing situation.
Akhadas are generally known for their participation in Kumbhmela and other religious activities. But Kinnar Akhada from Nashik has helped several kinnar and other folk artists like Vaghya-Murali and Jogi during lockdown. It has provided grocery kits to around 500 kinnar and folk artists. Besides this various help is also provided to Divyang centers and orphanages. Talking to AIR News, Mahant Payalnand Giri Maharaj gave more information about their work:
"धन, धान्य, आटा, चावल, साबुन, दाल, तेल ये सब मैने कोरोना के काल में बांटीं और जो विकलांग लोग, लेडीज लोग हैं उनकी जो आवश्यक वस्तु थीं वो भी मैंने अनाथ आश्रम में जाकर दे दी और आम लोगों को भी मैंने बांटीं।"
Bangladesh extends land border closure for passenger travel till 30th of this month to contain the spread of the Corona virus in the country. However, the border will remain open for the movement of cargo between the two countries.
The Centre has allocated over 3 thousand 180 Crore rupees to Andhra Pradesh under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the current year. While approving this four-fold increase in allocation, Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has assured full assistance to the State for making provision of tap water supply in every rural home by 2024.
Retail inflation rose to 6.3 percent in May this year, mainly on account of higher prices of food and energy items. Retail inflation for May hit a six-month high. As per the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation data released today, the food inflation, increased to 5.01 per cent in May as compared to 1.96 per cent in April.
The CPI inflation had eased to a three-month low of 4.23 per cent in the month of April on the back of reduction in food prices.
On the other hand, the wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) hit a record high of 12.94 per cent in May this year. A high WPI has been witnessed mainly due to low-base effect as WPI in May last year was -3.37 percent.
According to the data released today by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in May this year, Inflation in fuel and power surged by 37.6 percent.
The first commercial consignment of Geographical Indications, (GI) certified Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur in Bihar was exported today to the United Kingdom. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, APEDA, in collaboration with Bihar government, the Indian High Commission and Invest India, exported juicy and aromatic mangoes which were packed and treated at APEDA packhouse in Lucknow. With distinct aroma and taste, Jardalu mangoes from Bhagalpur district received GI certification in 2018.
APEDA has been initiating measures to boost mango exports from the non- traditional regions. APEDA has been conducting virtual buyer-seller meets and festival to promote mango exports.
The Sensex and the Nifty today logged marginal gains to hit record highs. The Sensex closed above the 52,500 mark while the Nifty settled above the 15,800 level.
"The Sensex The Sensex at Bombay Stock Exchange climbed 77 points, or 0.15 percent, to finish at 52,552. The Nifty at the National Stock Exchange also added 13 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 15,812. Gold was trading at 48,350 rupees per 10 gram. Silver prices also plunged 800 rupees to trade at 71,430 rupees per kilogram for July Contracts when reports last came in. And oil prices extended gains for the third week. In intra-day trade, Brent crude prices were trading around 73 dollars and 10 cents per barrel. This is Lalima Aneja Dang for AIR news."
Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar has informed that Government school teachers have been asked to be physically present in the schools immediately after the lockdown ends in the state. Speaking to media persons in Bengaluru today, Mr Kumar said, the decision has been take with the aim to start the process of admission of students once the lockdown ends.
Israel's new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has vowed to unite the nation frayed by four elections in two years of political stalemate. He added that the priorities would be reforms in education, health and cutting red tape. Naftali Bennett was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the country yesterday, after winning a confidence vote with the narrowest of margins, just 60 votes to 59. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mr Bennett on becoming Israel's Prime Minister.
With less than 40 days left for Tokyo Olympic Games, Indian players are gearing up for the event. In the Olympics series today, All India Radio takes a look at India's fencing hope for Tokyo Olympics -Bhawani Devi:-
"Born on 27th August in 1993 in Chennai, the exceptional fencing player Bhawani Devi is a name to reckon with. She has created history by becoming the first Indian women fencer to qualify for the Olympics. Bhawani Devi has lent a new identity to India in the discipline of fencing and has earned praise at the internationnal level for her hardwork and gumption. Bhawani Devi began her incredible journey by winning medals in the team events. Bhawani Devi bettered her performance in the 2014 Asian Games in the philippines and went on to win the silver medal. In 2017 in Canberra Bhawani created history by winning the gold medal in the senior Commonwealth Fencing Championship and becoming the first Indian to do so. Bhawani Devi attributes her succes to her parents. Currently, Bhawani Devi is rigorously preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. She mentioned about her possible chance and her ongoing preparation for the Olympics. Anita Anand for Sports Desk."
Heavy rain continues in Kerala as monsoon intensifies. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rain in the State till Thursday and yellow is declared in most of the districts. As sea is expected to remain rough due to strong winds fisherfolks are warned from venturing into the sea in Kerala and Lakshadweep coasts.
IMD has said that South-West monsoon is set to arrive in Delhi by tomorrow, 12 days ahead of its schedule. Talking to AIR News, IMD Director General, M Mohapatra said, the monsoon is on course to cover most areas of north-west India by tomorrow.
Now, let us take a look at the weather forecast for tomorrow.
The National Capital Delhi will have thunderstorms with rain. The minimum temperature will be 26 degrees and the maximum will go upto 36 degree Celsius.
Mumbai will have a partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The minimum temperature will be 27 degree Celsius while the maximum is expected to be around 33 degrees.
Chennai will see a partly cloudy sky. The temperature will vary between 28 and 37 degree Celsius.
Kolkata will see a generally cloudy sky with few spells of rain or thundershowers. Minimum temperature will be 27 degree Celsius and maximum will go upto 32 degrees.
Jammu will have a partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm or dust storm. The minimum temperature will be 24 degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 35 degrees.
Srinagar will have a partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm or dust storm. Temperature will hover between 15 and 29 degree Celsius.
Leh will have a generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle. The minimum and maximum temperature will be between 10 and 23 degree Celsius.
Gilgit will see a partly cloudy sky. The temperature will hover between 17 and 39 degree Celsius.
Muzaffarabad will have a generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm or dust storm. The minimum temperature will be 21 degree Celsius and maximum will be around 35 degrees.
Dehradun will have a partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm or dust storm. The minimum temperature will be 22 degree Celsius while the maximum will be around 32 degrees.
Chandigarh will have a partly cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The minimum temperature will be 25 degrees and the maximum will be 34 degree Celsius.
Hyderabad will have a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain. Minimum temperature will be 22 degree celsius while the maximum will be around 32 degrees.
Ahmedabad will have a partly cloudy sky. The minimum temperature will be 28 degree celsius while the maximum will be around 39 degrees.
Bhopal will have a partly cloudy sky with possibility of development of thunder lightning. The minimum temperature will be 24 degrees and the maximum will be 37 degrees.
Lucknow will have a generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers. The minimum temperature will be 25 degrees and the maximum will go upto 30 degree celcius.
Patna will have thunderstorms with rain. The minimum temperature will be 25 degree celsius and the maximum will be around 34 degrees.
And, Guwahati will have a generally cloudy sky with heavy rain. The minimum temperature will be 23 degree Celsius while the maximum will be 29 degrees.