New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on May 14 announced that "One Nation One Ration Card" will be implemented and will cover 67 crore beneficiaries in 23 states covering 83% of PDS (Public Distribution System) population will be covered by national portability by August 2020.
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): Union Finance Minster, Nirmala Sitharaman on May 14 informed that 7,200 new self-help groups (SHGs) for urban poor (including migrant workers) have been formed during COVID-19 critical period, in last two months. "12,000 self-help groups (SHGs) have produced more than 3 crore masks and 1.2 lakh litres of sanitisers during COVID-19 period. 7,200 new SHGs for urban poor (including migrant workers) have been formed during the last two months," said Sitharaman.
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): While briefing the economic package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 12, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Day 2 in Delhi said, "We have already generated 14.62 crore person-days of work till 13th May, which is 40-50% more persons enrolled as compared to last May. Migrant workers who are going back to their states are being actively enrolled in MNREGA." Finance Minister unveiled the first tranche of the Rs 20 lakh crore on May 13.
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): Nirmala Sitharaman on May 14 announced relief measures for street vendors who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdown. Sitharaman said the government will start a special credit line worth Rs 5,000 crore which will benefit about 50 lakh street vendors who had to shut their shops since the imposition of coroanvirus-induced lockdown.
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): While addressing a press conference in Delhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on May 14 announced that Rs 30,000 crores additional emergency working capital funding through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will be given and is expected to benefit 3 crore farmers. Finance Minister unveiled the second tranche of the Rs 20 lakh crore COVID-19 economic package on May 14.
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): While addressing a press conference in Delhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on May 17 said government extended the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), used under affordable housing scheme, for middle income group up to March 2021. "Government to extend the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for middle income group (annual income Rs 6-18 lakhs) up to March 2021; 2.5 lakh middle income families to benefit during 2020-21," she said.
Ahmedabad (Gujarat), May 14 (ANI): Gujarat government has resumed work on infrastructure development projects after some relaxations in coronavirus lockdown. Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel, informed, "After government announced relaxations, Public Works Department (PWD) of state government started its projects across the state. Over 300 projects, worth Rs 9,000-10,000 crore, of Roads and Buildings Department have started. Main road from Gandhinagar to Ahmedabad is being turned into a 6-lane highway." Gujarat has so far recorded over 9000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and is the second worst-affected state after Maharashtra.
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on May 14 visited National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). NCDC is India's premier institute for research in epidemiology and communicable disease control. "ICMR and NCDC have developed 500 labs in the country to test Covid-19. Today we are going to complete 2 million tests," Vardhan said.
Jaipur (Rajasthan), May 14 (ANI): While reviewing the drinking water supply in the state, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot said that district collector and Water Supply Department officials should ensure proper supply of drinking water in the state. For this, RO, hand pump and tubewell maintenance, repair and expansion of pipelines, supply from tanker and other works should be expedited. He also instructed officials to prepare an advance plan for the districts where there is a need to transport drinking water and approvals pending for hand pumps and tube wells should be released immediately. Chief Minister Gehlot instructed all the district collectors to complete the work of the contingency plan with top priority for better drinking water supply in summer. He said that the district collector should take suggestions from MPs-MLAs, other public representatives and prepare a plan according to local needs.CM directed the officers to set up a special team to speed up the pending p
Colombo (Sri Lanka), May 14 (ANI): Gopal Baglay was appointed as India's new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. He presented his credentials to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a ceremony held through video-conferencing. Newly-appointed Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka said, "Use of technology (presenting credentials to Sri Lankan President via video conferencing) to overcome challenges is in line with leadership of India, of Prime Minister Modi. I am very fortunate to be India's High Commissioner in Sri Lanka."
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): The AYUSH Ministry and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are working together on validating four formulations against COVID-19 and the trials will start within one week. AYUSH Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said that AYUSH and CSIR collaboration has a larger perspective. "This is once in a lifetime opportunity. This type of study never happened in our country. These four candidates are -- Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu (Mulethi), Guduchi + Pippali (Giloy) and AYUSH -64, which was invented for the treatment of malaria and its repurposing is going on," he said. "So, we are doing two types of stimulus studies as profile access on the high-risk population for Ashwagandha. We have also planned a competitive study between Hydroxychloroquine and Ashwagandha," he added.
New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): Informing about the suggestions that Delhi government received on post lockdown relaxations, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that market associations suggested that market can be opened on odd-even basis. "We have received a lot of suggestions from many market associations and most of them have said market and market complexes should be opened. They said they can be opened on odd-even basis, half shops one day and half shops another. The suggestions will be discussed at 4 pm today in the meeting of State Disaster Management Authority and Lieutenant Governor. After that we will send a proposal on how much relaxations should be given in Delhi, to the Central Government," said CM Kejriwal.
San Francisco (US), May 14 (ANI): Indian nationals arrived at San Francisco airport to fly back to home. "I would like to give a big shout out to all the officials who have been working tirelessly day and night to bring us back. Thank you, PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar," said a passenger who will board repatriation flight from San Francisco to Delhi. Indian Government had started operation Vande Bharat Mission to bring back over 14,000 stranded Indians via 64 relief flights.
Male (Maldives), May 14 (ANI): INS Jalashwa arrived in Male, Maldives for embarkation of Indian citizens on May 14. Naval ship will commence 2nd repatriation journey from Male to Kochi (Kerala) on May 15 from the Maldives as part of Operation Samudra Setu, informed High Commission of India in Maldives.
Chandigarh, May 14 (ANI): Migrant workers gathered at Chandigarh Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) on May 14. All the workers will be screened before boarding the buses to the railway station. They will then leave for their native states on Shramik Special trains. Indian Railways cancelled all tickets till June 30. However, all special trains and Shramik Special train to ply as usual.
Hyderabad, May 14 (ANI): A leopard was spotted resting in middle of the road in Hyderabad. Motorists informed the police after spotting the leopard. Vehicular movement came to a halt. Sightings of wild animals in urban landscapes have increased after lockdown. Forest officials rushed to the spot and rescued the wild cat.
Bengaluru, New Delhi May 14 (ANI): A special train, carrying passengers from Delhi, arrived at Bengaluru City railway station on May 14. All the passengers were screened after they reached the railway station, as per the guidelines by the government. Buses were parked outside Bengaluru City railway station to move passengers to either hotels or institutional quarantine facilities, depending on the option exercised. Meanwhile, train from Mumbai arrived at NDLS. Passengers expressed gratitude to Indian Railways.
Mumbai/ Ahmedabad (Gujarat), May 14 (ANI): A special train carrying passengers from arrived at Mumbai Central Railway Station on May 14. Passengers were medically screened at the station premises after deboarding train. First special train from Delhi also arrived at Sabarmati Railway Station.
Ludhiana (Punjab), May 14 (ANI): Cycle industries are hoping to gain momentum after the announcement of stimulus package. Industry is gradually resuming operations after relaxations in coronavirus lockdown. There has been demand of relief package for upgradation of machinery. PM Modi on May 12 announced package of Rs 20 lakh crore to boost the economy.
Dehradun (Uttarakhand), May 14 (ANI): Using masks, sanitizers, gloves has become integral part of lives during ongoing COVID pandemic. While sanitizing hands is important, touching dispenser could also invite virus. Keeping in mind the rapid spread, this Dehradun based scientist developed a unique machine. Ensuring no room for infection, machine works with pedal.