Newsletter 19 March

Top 5 News

1- Latest updates on the COVID-19 crisis in India and other parts of the world
2- Coronavirus Cases: 2,19,367
Deaths: 8,970
Recovered: 85,749
ACTIVE CASES -124,648
Currently Infected Patients- 117,834 (95%)
Serious or Critical: 6,814 (5%)
CLOSED CASES: 94,719
Cases which had an outcome: 85,749 (91%)
Recovered / Discharged 8,970 (9%)
Deaths 8,970

National

Indians resolute against coronavirus: PM Modi Addressed to Nation

The world is passing through a difficult phase.
This time we are facing a difficulty that has put entire mankind in difficulty. So many countries were not affected even during the first and second world wars as have been affected by coronavirus.
In these 2 months, 130 crore Indians have resolutely confronted the corona pandemic and have taken necessary precautions. But in the last few days a complacency has crept in. This is not correct. It is essential that every Indian is aware and alert.
Whenever I have asked something from you, I have not been disappointed. Today, I am here to ask for something from my countrymen. I need your coming few weeks and your time. Till now, science has not been able to find a solution for the coronavirus pandemic and no vaccine has been invented for it. It is natural to get worried about such a situation.
He also urged the countrymen to show their gratitude to People who are working in medical sectors and other emergencies services on Sun at 5 pm for 5 mins.
In other countries, we have seen that there has been a sudden increase in infections after the initial lull. The Indian government has been keeping track of this situation in other countries. There are some countries that took immediate decision and contained the number of infections by isolating people. Citizens have played an important role in it.
For last 2 months, millions are working day and night in hospitals and airports and those serving others by not taking care of themselves. On Mar 22^nd,at 5’o clock, we should stand on our doorways, balconies, in our windows and keep clapping hands and ringing the bells for 5 mins to salute and encourage them
It will be wrong to assume that this will not have any impact on India. First is resolve and the second is restraint.
Govt has decided to constitute COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force under Finance Minister. The task force will remain in regular touch with all stakeholders, take their feedback and make decisions accordingly.

130 crore Indians will have to show resolve that we as citizens will be performing our duties and follow the directions of the central and state governments. Today we will have to take a resolve

that we shall protect ourselves and others from getting affected.
Only one mantra works in such a situation, world is healthy when we are healthy.
Restraint is compulsory in such a situation. Restraint in the form of going out of our home. Today, what is known as social distancing is very necessary in tackling this problem.
If you feel that you are okay and nothing is going to happen to you, then this thinking is not right. You would be doing a grave injustice to you and your family.
I request all countrymen to leave their homes only if it is essential. You should work from whether related to business or office.

Those in government services, media, healthcare, their activity is essential but the remaining members of society should isolate themselves. Senior citizens in our families should not leave their homes for the coming few weeks.

Corona Virus Updates: Not Community Transfer (IIIrd) Stage Yet- ICMR

Indians tested positive in Iran are being taken care of by govt there: MEA official
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot directs shutdown of government, semi-government, autonomous institutions till March 31: Official statement
Trying to get ICMR nod for 4 more facilities to test COVID-19 cases: UP health minister
- The Uttar Pradesh government is trying to get the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) approval for four institutes in the state to conduct novel coronavirus tests, state Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh said on Thur.
- As of now, only the King George Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has the approval for testing COVID-19 cases, the minister said during a visit to Gautam Buddh Nagar.
Health ministry issues SOP for international passenger movement at Delhi airport
- The Union health ministry has issued a SOP for movement of international passengers, returning from coronavirus-affected countries, at the Delhi airport.
- People returning from the novel coronavirus-affected countries would be first escorted by airline staff to the health counters for initial thermal screening.
- If any passengers shows any symptoms of the COVID-19 disease, he or she would be isolated and moved to a designated hospital.
One Indian who tested positive for coronavirus has died in Iran: MEA official
Train services between Banihal and Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir suspended till Mar 31.
Hospitals asked to avoid non-urgent surgeries and admissions to stop transmission of infection
Air India will operate a Boeing 787 for Rome on March 21 to evacuate students, or any other Indians. The plane has a capacity of 236 seats.
Restaurants will be shut down, but take away, home delivery will continue.
4^th Death Reported due to Heart Attack found COVID-19 positive in Punjab.
Death toll hits 767 in Spain, 30 % jump in 24 hours: AFP
Dammu Ravi, AS and Coordinator [COVID-19], MEA: The Ministry is strengthening the Covid Control room. Right now 25-30 people are working in the control room. They work in shifts. We are getting about 400 e-mails and 1000 calls in a day.
- We are planning to evacuate the next batch of Indians from Italy this weekend, further details are being worked out with the civil aviation ministry
- Raveesh Kumar, MEA on Pakistan raising Kashmir in SAARC COVID19 video conference: This SAARC platform was to address this pandemic. It was a humanitarian platform that Pakistan misused.
- We’re moving fast on proposals announced during PM’s video conferencing with SAARC leaders. The emergency fund is up and running. We’ve received many requests from other SAARC countries in form of masks, gloves etc. Quantum of assistance requested so far as crossed $1M.
- We have brought back all who wanted to from Singapore. People in Manila are being facilitated by the local mission and situation under control. We are receiving reports of Indians stranded in London and Schiphol, but no confirmed information,
Office of Fin Min N Sitharaman: SEBI relaxes compliance of certain provisions of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 due to the CoVID -19 virus pandemic.
Tamil Nadu: Chennai Police files case against 4 office bearers of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) and 2500 unknown persons who held a protest against CAA and NRC yesterday without permission and gathered against COVID-19 alert by the state government.
Embassy of India in Iran: The Embassy in cooperation with health authorities in #Qom set up a wellness facility to take care of & undertake 24/7 supervision of infected Indian pilgrims.
- The hygienic facility, surrounded by greenery, has ample space for the pilgrims to walk around. 2 full-time and 8 part-time Indian student volunteers are helping out dedicated Iranian medical personnel in the effort.
- 50% attendance for government employees, Centre orders work from home, staggered working hours for its staff
- CMs and Health Ministers of all states will talk to PM tomorrow via video conferencing: Rajesh Tope
- Former Min and congress leader, P Chidambaram calls for immediate lockdown of all towns, cities for 2-4 weeks
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray told that “I have spoken to the Prime Minister, he has promised full cooperation from the Central Government.
- Union Grant Commission, (UGC), an apex bodies of Higher Education, asks universities to postpone exams till Mar 31.
- Till now 300 trains have been cancelled so far.
- CM, Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal have directed all schools, colleges and universities in Delhi to be shut down completely both for students & staff until 31 Mar.
- All exams, including Board exams will happen only after 31 Mar. I urge all Delhiites to work from home as far as possible
- 43 Indians who arrived last night through Attari-Wagah Border have been sent to quarantine facility in Amritsar. Parijeet Kaur Johal, Civil Surgeon says, “29 have travel history of Dubai and 14 are students studying in Pakistan. Medical reports sent to state govt”.
- 6 passengers who returned from Singapore recently and have ‘home quarantine stamp’ on their hands, were deboaorded from Saurashtra Express at Borivali Railway Station today: Public Relations Officer (PRO), Western Railway
- Maharashtra: Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai to remain closed till further orders.
- A 24-year-old woman tests positive in Raipur, 1st confirmed case in Chhattisgarh
- Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane today visited Jaisalmer and reviewed Indian Army Wellness Centre there to tackle challenges presented by COVID-19. 118 men and 171 women evacuated from Iran are undergoing mandatory quarantine period at this facility.
- As of March 17, quarantine facilities with a combined capacity of 59,587 beds have been set up across India, including 11,934 beds at central Govt facilities, 26,153 beds at state government’s facilities and 21,500 beds at Haj facilities: Union Health Ministry.
- Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu District Magistrate bans the entry of worshipers/devotees/pilgrims to the places of worship with immediate effect in Jammu till March 31. The order says, “Religious leaders may, however, continue to follow the norms of prayers”.
  - Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Sushma Chauhan: Despite advisories to avoid gatherings, a large number of people are still found in the market areas, thus, in order to implement social distancing, all shops except grocery, chemist & medical shops shall be closed with immediate effect.
- Andhra Pradesh PV Ramesh, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister: To strengthen ongoing measures to prevent and contain COVID19 in the state, Govt has decided to close all educational institutions with immediate effect.
- MR Kishore, Director, Visakhapatnam International Airport, AP: One Air Asia flight landed at Visakhapatnam airport today, after evacuating 185 students from Kuala Lumpur. All passengers will be house quarantined for the next 28 days.
- 826 Random samples tested, none of them are positive so far: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on random samples tested so far to rule out community transmission of COVID-19 (ANI)

Govt of India Issued Following Orders in Evening

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19. He emphasized on actively engaging with individuals, local communities and organizations in chalking out mechanisms to fight the COVID-19.

He expressed gratitude to all those at the forefront of combating COVID-19 including the various State Governments, medical fraternity, paramedical staff, armed and paramilitary forces, those associated with the aviation sector, municipal staff and others. He also urged officials and technical experts to deliberate on the steps to be taken next.

State governments shall issue appropriate directions so that all citizens above 65 (other than for medical assistance) except for public representatives /Govt servants/ medical professionals are advised to remain at home.
No scheduled international commercial passenger flights shall be allowed to land in India from March 22 for one week.
State governments are being requested to enforce work for home for private sector employees except those working in emergency/essential services.All children below 10 should be advised to stay at home and not to venture out. Railways and civil aviation shall suspend all concessional travel except for students, patients and divyang category.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a case against former Kerala Public Works Minister and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader VK Ibrahim Kunju on a complaint regarding money laundering.

Amid MP Political Crisis: SC orders floor test by 5 pm tomorrow, process to be recorded on video

The Supreme Court today ordered floor test by show of hands in Madhya Pradesh.

The court has directed the present Kamal Nath government to complete the process by 5 pm on Friday. The floor test will be recorded on video.

The court has also said that if the rebel MLAs want to come to the Assembly, both Karnataka DGP and Madhya Pradesh DGP should provide them security.

The MLAs have been camping in Bengaluru.

Earlier, the court suggested that Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker NP Prajapati should interact with the rebel Congress MLAs through video link or the court can appoint an observer to allay the fear that the legislators are in captivity.

However, the Speaker refused to accept the top court’s proposal.

“We can appoint an observer to Bengaluru or some other place so that the rebel MLAs can connect with the Speaker through video conferencing after which he can decide,” a bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Hemant Gupta said.

The court had also asked the Speaker whether any inquiry was made on the resignation of the rebel MLAs and what decision has he taken on them. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Speaker, said the day court begins to give time-bound direction to the Speaker, it will be constitutionally problematic.

Background

The state plunged into a political crisis after 22 Congress MLAs including 6 ministers resigned following Jyotiraditya Scindia’s decision to join the BJP.

Scindia was miffed with the party leadership after he was denied a Rajya Sabha berth. In the current Assembly which has an effective strength of 222, the BJP has 107 MLAs and the ruling Congress has 92 MLAs including the Speaker.

A political party or an alliance needs the support of at least 112 MLAs to remain in the power. The Congress also enjoys the support of two BSP MLAs and 1 Samajwadi Party MLA. The Madhya Pradesh legislative Assembly comprises 230 chairs. After resignation of 22 MLAs, this number will be reduced.

Defense Ministry today approved procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircraft Mark-1A by Indian Air Force after finalizing the contractual and other issues. The contract would now be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by the Prime Minister.

Lok Sabha passed Appropriation Bill-2020-21

On Wed, the LS have passed the bill after the Speaker applied ‘guillotine’ on demands of grants for various ministries.

The Bill authorizing the government to draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for its working as well as implementation of its programs and schemes.

The house passed the bill after the Speaker applied ‘guillotine’ on demands of grants for various ministries.

With parliament having very limited time for scrutinizing the expenditure demands of all the ministries, after a pre-decided period of discussions over spending envisaged in the budget for some ministries is over, a guillotine is applied.

Ex- CJI Ranjan Gogoi took oath as Rajya Sabha member amid opposition walkout

“Grossly unfair”: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on opposition walkout while Ranjan Gogoi took oath as Rajya Sabha member.

Uproar started since in News came of his nomination by President of India. President, as per Law can nominate 3 members from any eminent figures from various fields.

I don’t want to comment on them: Gogoi to ANI on being asked about opposition’s protest against him in Rajya Sabha during his oath today.

Nirbhaya case, SC Dismissed the Convict’s Curative Petition

The Supreme Court refuses to entertain a plea of convict Mukesh Singh challenging the Delhi High Court’s order rejecting his claim that he was not in Delhi when crime took place. Even Court has also said the lawyer of Convicts do you have any more petitions, we are here to see that.

Approximately 100 of petitions have been filed by Convict’s lawyer in different courts of land including SC. Its 4^th death warrant which is to be executed tomorrow morning.

All four convicts are to be hanged tomorrow at 5:30 am as per March 5 death warrant.

Health ministry issues SOP for international passenger movement at Delhi airport

The Union health ministry has issued a SOP for movement of international passengers, returning from coronavirus-affected countries, at the Delhi airport.

People returning from the novel coronavirus-affected countries would be first escorted by airline staff to the health counters for initial thermal screening.If any passengers shows any symptoms of the COVID-19 disease, he or she would be isolated and moved to a designated hospital.

Jammu & Kashmir Govt constitutes ‘Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission’ having Justice (retired) GD Sharma as its chairperson. Retired IFS officer Rup Lal Bharti and IPS officer Munir Ahmad Khan are the members of the Commission.

Incriminating Material Recovered in North Kashmir's Handwara: Police

Police have recovered incriminating materials including arms, ammunition from the hidden dump of fields in the forest area.
JnK Police on Thursday claimed to have recovered arms and ammunition in a forest area of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
“Based on a credible input, Handwara Police with the assistance of security forces recovered incriminating materials in the forest area of Wader Rajwar, Handwara,” said a spokesman.
Police have recovered incriminating materials including arms, ammunition from the hidden dump of fields in the forest area, he said.
A case FIR No. 64/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Handwara and investigation into the matter has been initiated.
The incriminating materials recovered have been seized by the police and taken into case records for the purpose of investigation.

Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by small arms firing and shelling with mortars along LoC in Degwar Sector, Poonch district today at about 1045 hours. Indian Army is retaliating. It is continue since 3 days.

International

From Neighborhood : Pak

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked provinces to convert all 3-4 star hotels in to quarantine centers in fight against COVID-19, ARY News reported.
As 307 cases of COVID-19 infected and 2 causalities have been reported from Pakistan.

Amid COVID-19 threat, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Thursday said that Pakistan cannot afford a lockdown as country’s economic situation is not the same as that of Europe- Ary News

One Belt One Road One Virus: OBOR-participating nations paying hefty price for ties with China amid Covid-19 outbreak

Washington DC [USA], Mar 19 (ANI): Writing for the American online magazine The Federalist, Helen Raleigh argues in her article that the “short-sighted and foolish decisions” of the leaders of Italy and Iran to enthusiastically sign up for the OBOR in the hope to rescue their failing economies has left the two nations in a worse position following the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

Coronavirus-hit countries of Italy and Iran are paying a hefty price for their participation in China’s flagship initiative ‘One Belt One Road’, as evident from the two countries having had reported the second and third highest cases and fatalities from the deadly virus despite the geographic distance from the epicenter of the outbreak.

Both Italy and Iran signed up the OBOR in 2019, opening an array of sectors to Chinese investment, from infrastructure to transportation, and consequently employing thousands of Chinese workers for construction work under the initiative.

Italy has reported more than 35,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, and killed nearly 3000 others, while Iran has recorded over 17,000 cases and 1135 deaths, as per the latest data available on the WHO website.

The presence of Chinese workers in Pakistan for the construction work under China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) flagship project under the mega OBOR — has raised concerns of the exponential surge in the number of cases in that country.

Pakistan has so far reported 304 cases of coronavirus — the highest among the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation nations.

With the OBOR, China has used the brand of the “New Silk Roads” and promised a 360-degree counter-globalization infrastructure project of sea and land routes between China-Asia, Africa and Europe by investing in ports, inland ports, railways, telecommunications, and digital roads.

Against the warning of the European Union and the United States, Italy became the first and the only G7 country to sign onto the OBOR.

The Italian government downplayed the development as “largely symbolic” saying it had no legal value, and pointed out to the fact that other European countries, like Malta, Greece, and Portugal, have already signed something similar.

The first case of coronavirus in Italy was reported in Lombardy — the region that saw the most Chinese investment. Nearly a month from then, Lombardy is still the hardest-hit region, while the entire country has been in lockdown until at least April 3.

The country’s economy is expected to contract 7.5% in the first quarter.