L J Ravi So far, a total of 7695 people have been cured. This takes our total recovery rate to 24.5%. The total number of confirmed cases is now 31,332.Secretary (HFW) emphasized that non-COVID essential medical care should not be neglected. It was reiterated that patients needing care like dialysis, cancer treatment, diabetics, pregnant women and those suffering from cardiac ailments must be given adequate care.She has urged the States to promote the ArogyaSetu App which is a self-assessment tool helpful in the prevention efforts of the Government.
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Union HRD Minister interacts with Education Ministers and Education Secretaries of all States
While addressing the meeting Union Minister said that the current situation of COVID-19 is unfortunate, but it is time to act wisely and turn the situation into opportunity by doing new experiments to ensure safety and academic welfare of students. He announced that approval is being given for providing mid-day meal during summer holidays of schools, on which an additional expenditure of about 1600 crores will be made. The Minister appealed to all the States to start the process of evaluation of answer sheets of Board exams and facilitate CBSE to evaluate answer sheets of the students in their respective States.
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Centre Facilitates the Inter – State Movement of Stranded People including Migrant Labourer in the country, in wake of COVID -19 Pandemic
As a result of lockdown restrictions to fight COVID–19, migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons are stranded at different places in the country. Now, the Centre has permitted the movement of these stranded persons by road. They would be allowed to move between one State/ UT to another State/ UT, after the concerned states consult each other and mutually agree to.It has also been impressed upon that on arrival at their destination, such person(s) would be assessed by the local health authorities, and kept in home quarantine, unless the assessment requires keeping the person in institutional quarantine. They would be kept under watch with periodic health check-ups.
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Dr. Harsh Vardhan exhorts scientists to speedily develop COVID-19
mitigation solutions
Dr Harsh Vardhanreviewed the various initiatives undertaken by the Department of Biotechnology and its Autonomous Institutes and Public Sector Undertakings – BIRAC and BIBCOL, to tackle the current COVID-19 crisis, especially with respect to progress made in indigenous development of vaccine, Rapid Test and RT-PCR diagnostic Kits.He said that at least half a dozen candidate vaccines are being supported of which four are in an advance stage.
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ShriPiyushGoyal says that in post-Covid era, there is going to be perceptible change in the global supply-chains, and India should be looking to capture significant share in the world trade.
Minister of Commerce and Industry ShriPiyushGoyal todaycalled upon the Exporters to identify their strengths, potentials and competitive advantages in specific sectors, and focus on harnessing them in the world markets. ShriGoyal said that in the post-Covid era, there is going to be perceptible change in the global supply-chains, and Indian industrialists and exporters should be looking to capture significant share in the world trade. He assured them that the Government will be a pro-active supporter and facilitator in their efforts, and the Indian Missions abroad can play an important role in that. The Minister said that Incentives can be given, but they have to be justified, reasonable, and WTO-compliant.
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Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad appreciated the efforts of all States and UT in the fight against Covid19
Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, held a meeting with State IT Ministers on 28 April 2020. He said thatCentral Government would extend the Dept. of Telecommunication’s deadline on relaxation of the norms for the ‘Work From Home’ from 30 April to 31 July 2020.He asked the States to support Bharat Net scheme and requested them examine right of way issues. He directed that data from AarogyaSetu app should be made available online to the States right up-to District officials. Minister also announced that a similar solution for the feature phone users is being developed and it will be launched very soon.
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Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment writes to States/UTs to ensure basic physical accessibility features for divyangjan in centres for COVID-19 testing & quarantine facilities and treatment at hospitals
In a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), has said that to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, many COVID-19 centers have been identified as containment units, isolation treatment centres and testing labs for enhancing the holding capacity for medical purposes as required. The current crisis poses even greater threats to the Divyangjan not just due to their lesser/compromised immunity, ability to perceive or comprehend information but also due to non-availability of accessibility features in the physical environment and eco-system provided at such COVID related facilities.
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Telephone conversation between PM and Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister spoke on phone with H.E. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. The two leaders discussed the prevailing global situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed on the importance of global solidarity and coordination, the maintenance of supply chains, and collaborative research activities.Prime Minister thanked the Canadian Prime Minister for the assistance and support extended to the Indian citizens present in Canada, especially Indian students.
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Private foodgrains (PFG) freight makes a big increase in lockdown period as compared to last year
More than 7.75 lacstonnes (303 rakes) of PFG freight were loaded by Indian Railways during the lockdown period from 25th March to 28th April 2020 as compared to about 6.62 lacstonnes (243 rakes) last year in same period. Indian Railways is making all efforts to ensure that farm products like foodgrains are picked up on time and also to ensure uninterrupted supply chain
