- PM Narendra Modi announces setting up independent trust to build Ram TempleThe independent Trust will be named ‘Sri Ramjanambhoomi Tirath Shetra’, Modi announced in Parliament. The Trust will be independent to take decisions regarding the construction of the Temple, the PM said. The Supreme Court in an order on November 9 last year had asked the government to set up a Trust within three months and also allot five acres for building a mosque.
- India announces $1 million aid to ASEAN Covid-19 Response FundModi heaped praises on ASEAN’s successful management of the Covid-19 pandemic, affirming his country’s resolve to work with the bloc in research and production of vaccines at reasonable prices. He also reiterated that ASEAN has always been part of India’s foreign policies and that ASEAN-led mechanisms offer solid platforms for trust building in the region.
- What MSMEs expect from Budget 2021 to put behind the COVID-19 affectWith fintech and digital payments becoming more accepted, the government could announce some support for creating a digital payments framework, which will offer MSMEs far easier access to credit and financial services.
- Government committed to help the MSME sector flourish: Pratap Chandra Sarangi"With the government increasing opportunities for local MSMEs and reducing dependence on imports, MSMEs will be able to scale up operations and gain higher market share across the various sector,” said the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- Cyber crimes in India caused Rs 1.25 lakh cr loss last year: OfficialOn August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that a new cybersecurity strategy will be presented to the nation as dependence on cyberspace will increase multi-fold in the coming years.
- View: As a surplus sugar producer, India needs to become a major exporterThe Chinese are increasing sugar consumption. But they buy mostly from Australia and Indonesia. While India confronts them in Ladakh, they are unlikely to start eating Indian sugar. India will look for markets in Bangladesh, West Asia and Africa, but is unlikely to find a substantial market in a hurry.
- 15th East Asia summit on Saturday to push for free, open, inclusive & rules-based Indo-Pacific regionThe Summit Meeting will also discuss ways and means to strengthen the EAS platform and to make it more responsive to emerging challenges on its 15th anniversary.
- Coronavirus risks a lost generation in India as digital divide widensBefore the pandemic, government researchers estimated India’s digital shift could unlock as much as $1 trillion of economic value over five years. But the crisis is spreading those benefits unevenly and widening socio-economic inequalities, with girls suffering more than boys and rural areas more affected than cities.
- GDP numbers out today: India’s economy faces worst quarterly slump ever after lockdownEconomists in a Reuters poll predicted that gross domestic product in world's fifth-largest economy will contract by 18.3% in the June quarter, compared to 3.1% growth in the previous quarter, the worst performance in at least eight years.
- First-ever Indian cargo ferry to Maldives opens new connectivity & business links in Southern Indian OceanThe maiden voyage of the direct Cargo Ferry Service between India and the Maldives was jointly launched on September 21 by Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) and Aishath Nahula, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of the Maldives in a virtual ceremony.
- PM Modi announces project for conservation of dolphinsTen years after Gangetic Dolphins were declared national aquatic animals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday a conservation project for the species. The 'Project Dolphin' aims to give a stronger impetus for conservation of the aquatic mammals in the lines of 'Project Tiger' and 'Project Elephant'.
- Centre to bear expenses for first round of vaccination, jabs for 30 crore in first few months: PM Modi"India has completed vaccination dry runs in almost every district, which is a massive achievement", said Modi during his interaction with state chief ministers.
- Government amends norms; companies' contribution to PM CARES Fund to qualify as CSR expenditureThe PM CARES Fund would be utilised to deal with any emergency or distress situation such as coronavirus outbreak.
- India taking lead role to bolster cooperation among South Asian nations to reduce disasters: MoS MEAHe also said the Coalition on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) formed last year will conduct country-specific and global activities, and also serve as a platform for facilitating investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure systems.
- COVID-19: Suspension of Railway services to be extended till April 14After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a 21 day lockdown across the country, the Indian Railways announced that its suspension of all passenger services will continue till April 14.
- Implementation of lockdown, reopening of livelihood kept MHA busy in 2020The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) got involved in a slugfest with Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal over the state's law-and-order situation in the wake of an attack on the convoy of BJP president J P Nadda in the state.
- It was wrong to impose lockdown suddenly: Uddhav ThackerayAmid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray also said there was a need to be extra cautious during the upcoming monsoon.
- Pre-budget recap: Summing up Modi govt's Atmanirbhar stimulusAs the PM puts it: Atmanirbhar Bharat aims to make in India not just for India, but for the world.
- Cyclone Amphan: PM Modi announces interim relief of Rs 1,000 crore to West BengalPrime Minister Narendra Modi announced an advance interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for cyclone-hit West Bengal on Friday.
- Media & entertainment to emerge big job creator in post-Covid India: ThakurIt took 110 days for coronavirus infections in the country to reach the 1 lakh mark
- Migrants: Maharashtra minister shares news clip on train serviceMore than 1,000 migrant workers gathered in Bandra demanding transport arrangements to go back to their native places, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced extension of the coronavirus-enforced lockdown till May 3.
- Extension of lockdown necessary step in view of COVID-19 threat: Omar Abdullah"The extension of lockdown till May 3 isn't something we all wanted but given the threat we face from COVID-19, it's a necessity. Let's do everything we can to cooperate with authorities to avoid a further extension in May," he tweeted.
- Atma nirbhar Bharat call to help country capitalise on its inherent strengths: Venkaiah NaiduSpeaking at the virtual launch of 'Elyments' mobile app, Naidu said the "atma nirbhar Bharat" campaign was aimed at giving a new boost to the economic potential of the country by strengthening infrastructure, using modern technologies, enriching human resource, and creating robust supply chains.
- Over 180 cases registered, 5,103 people detained for violating lockdown orders: Delhi policeAccording to the data shared by Delhi police, 183 cases were registered under section 188 (for disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code till 5pm.
- Govt asks people to cultivate new habits during 21-day lockoutPrime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown for the entire country on Tuesday.
- Keeping the stock market open amid lockdown was the best decision: BSE chiefThe stock market rebounded sharply from the lows seen in March, thanks to a gush of liquidity, entry of new investors and firm global markets.
- India's recovery to take time after economy shrinks 24% in June quarterConsumer spending, private investments and exports all collapsed during the world's strictest lockdown imposed in late March to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and India - the world's fastest-growing large economy until a few years ago - now looks to be headed for its first full-year contraction since 1980.
- India criticises Pakistan PM for offer on cash transfer programme"Pakistan is better known for making cash transfers to bank accounts outside the country rather than giving to its own people. Clearly, Imran Khan needs a new set of advisers and better information," MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said during an online media briefing.
- Maharashtra govt keeps circle rates unchanged for FY21Recently, former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had also suggested a 40 per cent reduction in the ready reckoner rates. To curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had imposed partial lockdown in Maharashtra from March 18 itself.Later PM Modi announced a nation-wide lockdown from March 25 which has now been extended till May 31.
- Assam is all set to ease lockdown from April 1Assam cabinet which held its meeting on Monday announced a COVID-19 package which decided to allow agriculture and farming activity with necessary protection from April 1 onwards.
- PM Modi launches Transparent Taxation platform to benefit honest taxpayersThree main features of the platform are faceless assessment, faceless appeal and tax payers' charter, the PM announced.
- RE projects to get extension of time: MNRE SecretaryThe MNRE Secretary also accepted that the spread of coronavirus has not only disrupted the supply chain of components used in Renewable Energy projects but also has impacted the availability of workforce.
- 17 states earmarking hospitals for dedicated treatment of COVID-19 patients: Health MinistryBriefing the press on the coronavirus situation, Health Ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal said, "There is still no hard evidence to say there has been community transmission of coronavirus in India." Agarwal said.
- RBI enhances repo auction amount to Rs 50,000 crore from Rs 25,000 croreSuch enhancement is likely to cushion some of the impact of disruptions caused by Covid-19.
- One checkpost too many, F&B and agri firms seek PMO passFood and beverage makers, agri-product companies, ingredient sellers and their packaging partners escalated their concerns over supply disruptions to the PM's Office on Wednesday, a day after PM Modi announced a 21-day national lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19.
- Big Bazaar shares its new doorstep delivery plan for lockdown periodThe services will be available in Mumbai, along with Delhi NCR, parts of Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Punjab. In a series of tweets, Big Bazaar shared phone numbers for different outlets where customers can call and place orders.
- Clear instructions to authorities in states needed for smooth transport of essential items: HUL"The government has rightly permitted food, vegetables, groceries and medicines to be excluded from the lockdown. However, clear instructions need to be provided to the enforcement authorities across states so that these essential items and the supply chain around it, is allowed to function," a company spokesperson said.
- Stimulus package fails to involve banks as frontline warriors in economic revival: RBI's central board memberSatish Marathe shared a viewpoint from analysts at rating agency Crisil's research wing, which is sceptical about the near-term benefits of the package to make his point. He said the three-month moratorium offered for loan repayments announced by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is "not enough" and also listed out other expectations for the benefit of the banking sector.
- From Sachin Bansal's Twitter: 'If Covid lockdown happened in my childhood, my dad's business would have failed'Sachin Bansal's hot take on the coronavirus lockdown.
- Airlines may soon get nod to resume limited operations“We are discussing restarting of operations,” said a senior government official, who requested anonymity. “It may happen during the current month itself, and the plan is not to extend it (the ban on flights) beyond the first week of June.”
- 15 trustees in Ram Temple trust; one to be Dalit: Amit ShahAmit Shah congratulated Modi "for such an unprecedented decision" that strengthens social harmony. The home minister said the trust will be independent to take every decision related to the temple and 67 acres of land will be transferred to it.
- Proposal for voluntary monthly contribution to PM-CARES by armed forces for 11 months clearedAccording to an official note, the contribution to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES) will start from May and will continue till March 2021.
- 'Ramayan' becomes most viewed entertainment programme globally, sets world record with 7.7 cr viewership'Ramayan' concluded the rerun on April 18.
- Please send us home, say 220 Indians stranded in JapanA research scholar waiting to meet his newborn baby, a graduate worried about the job offer in Bangalore and a pregnant woman whose four-day work trip now stretches interminably are among the at least 220 Indians stranded in Japan.
- Centre asks states, UTs to strictly comply with COVID-19 lockdown guidelines, not dilute themIn a communication to chief secretaries of state governments and Union Territory administrations, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said some states and UTs are issuing orders allowing activities which have not been allowed as per the guidelines issued by the home ministry under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- IPL 2020 postponed indefinitely due to coronavirus: BCCIThe IPL was scheduled to begin from March 29, but the tournament had to be postponed until April 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic. At the time of BCCI's announcement, the Central government had also suspended all visas to India till April 15 as part of measures to contain the spread of the pandemic.
- Assam withdraws liquor sale order after Centre's guidelines on extended lockdownIn the consolidated guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, no relaxation has been given to liquor manufacturing or retail sales, which was allowed in Assam from Monday by the state Excise Department. The department issued an order this evening asking all deputy commissioners to close liquor shops, wholesale warehouses, bottling plants, distilleries and breweries indefinitely.
- Amit Shah speaks to Maharashtra CM on gathering of migrant workers at Bandra"The home minister spoke to the Maharashtra chief minister and expressed concern over the large gathering of people in Mumbai's Bandra area," a home ministry official said. Shah also offered his full support to the Maharashtra government in dealing with the situation, the official said.
- Aaditya Thackeray blames centre for protest by migrant workersThackeray said feedback from all migrant labour camps is similar - that these workers want to go back to their native places.
- WHO lauds India's "tough and timely" anti-corona actionsWHO's comments came after prime minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of current lockdown till May 3. The PM said the implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in coming days to ensure that the virus does not spread to new areas
- Lockdown may be lifted in phases: Maharashtra health ministerHealth Minister Rajesh Tope urged people to observe strict discipline so that the number of cases goes down, which will then pave the way for lifting of the lockdown. He, however, said that the lockdown will be lifted in phases whenever it is done, so that "not all the people can be allowed to come on to the streets at one go".