Jan 19, 2022 – 13:22 (IST)
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SC to consider hearing plea seeking food, welfare measures for migrant workers during third COVID-19 wave
The Supreme Court Wednesday said it would consider listing for hearing the fresh plea of activists seeking implementation of an earlier order on ensuring food security and other welfare measures for migrant workers who are again in distress in the third COVID-19 wave triggered by Omicron variant and consequential curbs imposed in parts of country.
The plea seeks compliance with the direction by which the authorities were asked to undertake an exercise under the National Food Security Act, 2013 to re- determine the total number of persons to be covered under the free ration scheme. It has sought details of foodgrains provided by the Centre to the states for implementing the food schemes for migrant workers.
The top court, on 29 June last year, had issued a slew of directions to authorities on a plea of the activists seeking welfare measures for migrant workers and had ordered states and Union Territories (UTs) to frame schemes for providing free dry ration to them till the pandemic lasts, while the Centre will have to allocate additional food grains.
– PTI
Jan 19, 2022 – 13:08 (IST)
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DGCA extends suspension of scheduled international passenger flights till 28 Feb
The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country has been extended till 28 February, aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday.
Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since 23 March, 2020.
However, special passenger flights have been operating between India and approximately 40 countries since July 2020 under air bubble arrangements formed with them.
– PTI
Jan 19, 2022 – 13:00 (IST)
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SC pulls up states on disbursal of COVID-19 death claims, summons AP, Bihar chief secretary at 2pm
The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up state governments for failing to disburse claims to the next of kin of COVID-19 victims, and issued a show cause notice to the Andhra Pradesh chief secretary as to why contempt action be not initiated against him.
The top court asked the chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar government to remain present virtually at 2 pm and explain why the disbursal of ex-gratia amount of Rs 50,000 for COVID-19 death are less in their states.
The top court was hearing a batch of pleas by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal and intervenors represented by advocate Sumeer Sodhi seeking ex-gratia assistance to family members of COVID-19 victims.
– PTI
Jan 19, 2022 – 11:59 (IST)
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Kerala to hold COVID-19 evaluation meet tomorrow amid surging cases
The Kerala government on Tuesday decided to strictly implement the COVID-19 health protocols as there is a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the state which reported over 28,400 new infections.
Kerala which had recorded 2,435 new positive cases on 1 January witnessed a steady rise in the number of cases. The daily cases increased to 5,296 on 7 January. On 12 January the daily infection rate went up to 12,742 and the state reported 22,946 fresh infections on 17 January.
The state government has informed that a decision on restrictions including the closure of colleges and offices and curbs on people traveling in public transport among other matters will be discussed and decided in the COVID-19 evaluation meeting to be held on Thursday.
The chief minister, who is abroad for the purpose of treatment, will chair the meeting online, government sources said.
– PTI
Jan 19, 2022 – 11:46 (IST)
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Odisha logs 11,607 new COVID-19 cases, at least 991 children among them
Odisha on Wednesday recorded 11,607 new COVID-19 cases, 521 more than the previous day, with the tally rising to 11,67,094, a health department bulletin said.
The death toll mounted to 8,494 with six fresh COVID fatalities, the highest single-day count in more than three months, it said.
Fifty-three other coronavirus-positive patients have died due to comorbidities so far, the bulletin said.
At least 991 children were among the new patients and the positivity ratio stood at 16.7 percent as the fresh infections were detected from 69,502 sample tests in the last 24 hours, it said.
Odisha now has 84,770 active cases.
– PTI
Jan 19, 2022 – 11:28 (IST)
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Maharashtra: Nearly 500 police personnel found infected with COVID-19 in 24 hours
As many as 499 police personnel were found infected with coronavirus in Maharashtra in the last 24 hours, an official said on Wednesday. The infected personnel include 95 police officers.
The total number of infected police officers in Maharashtra is 5,854 since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020. A total of 40,959 police personnel, ranging from the rank of the constable to assistant sub-inspector, were found infected in the state, he added.
In Mumbai, a total of 10,666 police personnel were infected with coronavirus so far, of whom 126 died. Currently, the number of active cases in the Mumbai Police force stands at 1,273.
– PTI
Jan 19, 2022 – 11:16 (IST)
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No evidence of COVID-19 virus transmission through breastfeeding: Study
There is no evidence of recently infected mothers transmitting infectious SARS-CoV-2 through breast milk to their baby, according to a new study.
The study was published in the journal ‘Pediatric Research’.
The authors found that while a low proportion of breast milk contained COVID-19 genetic material, this did not translate into the presence of infectious replicating viral particles or lead to evidence of clinical infection with SARS-CoV-2 in breastfeeding infants.
– ANI
Jan 19, 2022 – 11:03 (IST)
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Violation of COVID-19 norms in UP polls: EC advises Samajwadi Party to be careful in future
The Election Commission on Tuesday let off the Samajwadi Party with a light rap for violating COVID-19 norms on its office premises last week, advising it to be careful and ensure such breaches do not happen in the future.
Considering that it is the first reported violation during the current round of elections on the part of the Samajwadi Party, the Commission advised it to follow all the extant guidelines diligently, according to an order.
The poll panel also asked the party to instruct its members to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines during the period of elections “without fail”.
The Election Commission had on Saturday issued a notice to the Samajwadi Party for organising a public gathering in the name of virtual rally at its Lucknow office in violation of COVID-19 norms.
– PTI
Jan 19, 2022 – 10:54 (IST)
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Lawyers can attend court proceedings through phone, assures CJI NV Ramana
Chief Justice of India NV Ramana has assured that lawyers can attend proceedings through their mobile phone if they do not have a laptop or desktop, according to the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
The Chief Justice of India, however, requested the members of the bar that the mobile phone should be stationed and placed in such a manner that the face of the lawyer is visible and the voice is audible.
This came a day after the CJI expressed unhappiness over disruptions during virtual hearings due to the use of mobiles.
Later, the apex court registry, through a circular, asked the advocates and litigants to use a desktop or the laptop with a stable internet connection to join proceedings conducted through video conferencing.
– PTI
Jan 19, 2022 – 10:45 (IST)
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Over 80 IAS trainee officers, faculty test positive at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy
A total of 84 IAS trainee officers and faculty members have tested positive at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, said academy administration on Wednesday.
After the massive spread of the COVID-19 on the campus, to control the spread of the virus further, the administration has made containment zones inside the academy itself. Everyone’s health is being checked at the campus.
Apart from this, an inquiry has also been launched to investigate the reason behind the outbreak.
– ANI