Page 264 - Latest Updates on Lockdown
Petrol, diesel get costlier as Delhi govt hikes VAT amid Covid-19 lockdown
Following the revision, the price of petrol in Delhi increased by Rs 1.67 to Rs 71.26 a litre and diesel by Rs 7.10 to Rs 69.29.
 "Petrol, diesel get costlier as Delhi govt hikes VAT amid Covid-19 lockdown")
Bihar got most workers in special trains, West Bengal the least: Data
TMC MP and leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, Derek O'Brien, however, said the West Bengal government was doing "all it takes" to fight the Covid pandemic, and accused the Centre of playing politics
 "Bihar got most workers in special trains, West Bengal the least: Data")
Finance Ministry, LIC start contact tracing to assess Covid-19 aid
At 2.7%, life insurance penetration in India is lower than Western & Asian peers
 "Finance Ministry, LIC start contact tracing to assess Covid-19 aid")
Centre misusing disaster laws to step on states' rights, say experts
The imposition of Section 188 in the Indian Penal Code for "disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant" during the pandemic, was also seen by many as an overreach by the Central govt
 "Centre misusing disaster laws to step on states' rights, say experts")
Pocket-friendly innovations from IITs join India's fight against Covid-19
Institutes across the country have developed testing devices, ventilators priced at Rs 25,000 and sanitising sprays, among other things, at low-cost or on a not-for-profit basis
 "Pocket-friendly innovations from IITs join India's fight against Covid-19")
Virgin Atlantic plans to cut over 3,000 jobs amid coronavirus outbreak
The spread of the novel coroanvirus has virtually brought airports around the globe to a standstill, leaving airlines taking drastic steps to make savings.
 "Virgin Atlantic plans to cut over 3,000 jobs amid coronavirus outbreak")
Commercial vehicle makers report zero sales in April amid Covid-19 lockdown
Ashok Leyland has reported zero sales of M&HCV in the month of April as against 8,918 units, in the same month a year ago
 "Commercial vehicle makers report zero sales in April amid Covid-19 lockdown")
Covid-19 impact: Restrictions on movement still a pain point for FMCG firms
According to the Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators' Association (FWBTOA), truck availability has only improved marginally around 10 per cent of a total 9 million trucks in India.
 "Covid-19 impact: Restrictions on movement still a pain point for FMCG firms")
Eight suggestions from Abhijit Banerjee to revive the Covid-19-hit economy
Abhijit Banerjee pointed out several measures, including giving temporary ration cards, a bigger stimulus package and providing cash to India's poorest 60% to revive the Covid-19-hit economy
 "Eight suggestions from Abhijit Banerjee to revive the Covid-19-hit economy")
Lockdown 3.0: Flipkart, Snapdeal see heavy traffic for non-essential items
New Delhi-based e-commerce firm Snapdeal said it has resumed the delivery of non-essential products in orange and green zones, along with the continuing deliveries of essential products
 "Lockdown 3.0: Flipkart, Snapdeal see heavy traffic for non-essential items")
Tech Mahindra may allow 25% employees to work from home till March 2021
The company is in talks with clients to seek approval, and is building a control system to track staff productivity in real time
 "Tech Mahindra may allow 25% employees to work from home till March 2021")
Wipro to repurpose its Pune facility into a 450-bed Covid-19 hospital
The process will be completed in four weeks and the IT firm will hand over the facility to the Maharashtra government by May 30
 "Wipro to repurpose its Pune facility into a 450-bed Covid-19 hospital")
Govt mulling introduction of import substitution policy, says Gadkari
The Minister for MSME and Road Transport and Highways said a policy on import substitution is being thought of in the wake of the economic situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 "Govt mulling introduction of import substitution policy, says Gadkari")
Indians must register on Aarogya Setu app for evacuation flights: Govt
Punya Salila Srivastava, a joint secretary in the Union Home Ministry, said the Indian Railways has run 62 special trains for stranded domestic workers till now
 "Indians must register on Aarogya Setu app for evacuation flights: Govt")
London-Delhi flight ticket to cost Rs 50,000: Govt on evacuating Indians
On arrival from abroad, all passengers will be screened and put under quarantine for a period of 14 days as a COVID-19 precautionary measure, Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said
 "London-Delhi flight ticket to cost Rs 50,000: Govt on evacuating Indians")
Covid-19 hinterland digest: Jaipur and Jodhpur, tales of misery in 2 cities
Out of the 77 death in Rajasthan, 44 are from Jaipur and 11 are from Jodhpur. This is 71 per cent of the total deaths in the state
 "Covid-19 hinterland digest: Jaipur and Jodhpur, tales of misery in 2 cities")
Lockdown impact: Dip in electricity demand hits coal-fired power generation
During 2019-20, the average Plant Load Factor (PLF) tumbled to 55.5 per cent owing to a decline in power demand and increasing traction from renewable power sources
 "Lockdown impact: Dip in electricity demand hits coal-fired power generation")
Lockdown impact: UP to reboot export oriented units, SEZs on priority
Chief Minister Adityanath directed officials to expedite the rebooting of these industrial plants apart from industries for which permissions have been granted under lockdown 3.0
 "Lockdown impact: UP to reboot export oriented units, SEZs on priority")
Top headlines: India to evacuate 15k citizens; gold imports plunge in April
From April gold imports plunging to Israeli research team getting a step closer to developing a Covid-19 vaccine, here are the top headlines of the day
 "Top headlines: India to evacuate 15k citizens; gold imports plunge in April")
Chennai MSMEs allege bias in grant of permission to restart operations
They say they may end up losing the orders on hand to units in other belts; may not be able to pay April wages; foresee law and order problem with agitated labour
 "Chennai MSMEs allege bias in grant of permission to restart operations")