Biggest single-day spike of 3,532 COVID-19 cases in J&K; 30 more die
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir on Friday recorded its biggest single-day spike of 3,532 COVID-19 cases, raising its tally to 1,76,079, officials said.
The union territory also recorded the highest fatality toll at 30 in a 24-hour-period. The death toll has now mounted to 2,283. Read more on The Dispatch
I&B Ministry to organise year-long centenary celebrations of Satyajit Ray
New Delhi: In homage to the legendary filmmaker, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting will organise year-long centenary celebrations of late Satyajit Ray across India and abroad.
Satyaji Ray was a renowned filmmaker, writer, illustrator, graphic designer, music composer. He started his career in advertising and found inspiration for his first film, Pather Panchali, while illustrating the children’s version of the novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. The film catapulted him into international fame. Ray went on to make other great films such as Charulata, Agantuk and Nayak. He was also a prolific writer, making the famous sleuth Feluda and scientist Professor Shonku, a popular part of Bengali Literature. The Government of India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, in 1992. Read more on The Dispatch.
Latest updates on COVID-19 crisis around the world
New Delhi: Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis in India and other parts of the world on Friday.
5:30 p.m.
Chinese President Xi Jinping writes to PM Modi, offers help to fight COVID-19 surge.
4:51 p.m.
Record single-day 332 COVID-19 deaths in Uttar Pradesh; 34,626 more test positive. Read more on The Dispatch
Finance Ministry decides to provide additional amount of upto Rs 15,000 cr to States
New Delhi: The Finance Ministry has decided to provide an additional amount of upto 15 thousand crore rupees to States as interest free 50 year loan for spending on capital projects. The Department of Expenditure has issued fresh guidelines in this regard on the Scheme of Financial Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure for the financial year 2021-22. Read more on The Dispatch
Home Minister Amit Shah expresses sadness on demise of TV Journalist Rohit Sardana
New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed sadness on the demise of Television Journalist Rohit Sardana.
In a tweet, Mr Shah said, in him, the nation has lost a brave journalist who always stood up for unbiased and fair reporting. He hoped that God will give his family the strength to bear the tragic loss. Read more on The Dispatch
DGCA extends suspension of international commercial passenger flight services till 31st May
New Delhi: Aviation regulator DGCA today extended the suspension of international commercial passenger flight services till the 31st of May this year. Scheduled international flight operations were suspended from March 23 last year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Read more on The Dispatch
DRDO arranges big size oxygen cylinders for fulfilling requirements of different hospitals
New Delhi:To meet the urgent requirement of oxygen in various parts of the country, DRDO is arranging big size oxygen cylinders for fulfilling requirements of different hospitals.
The DRDO has handed over 75 such cylinders to the Delhi Government yesterday. The Defence Minister’s Office said, these cylinders are of 80 litres water capacity each and can be pressurized upto 130 bar. Each of these cylinders can store 10 thousand litres of oxygen. Read more on The Dispatch
COVID Crisis: 57 member naval medical team deputed to Ahmedabad
New Delhi: As part of the Armed Forces’ contribution to civil administration in combating the current COVID crisis, a 57 member naval medical team consisting of four doctors, seven nurses, 26 paramedics and 20 supporting staff has been deputed to Ahmedabad yesterday. Read more on The Dispatch
Srinagar Admin declares 7 more areas as Containment Zones
Srinagar: The district administration of Srinagar has declared seven more areas as Containment zones in Srinagar in view of the fresh detection of Covid-19 Positive cases.
According to the separate orders issued by the DDMA Srinagar, the copies of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the areas which have been declared containment zones are Parimpora, Zoonimar, Peerbagh, Gulab Bagh, Jawhar Nagar, Boatman Colony Bemina and Mehjoor Nagar. Read more on The Dispatch
Centre says national directives for COVID-19 management will continue throughout country till 31st May
New Delhi: Centre has said that the national directives for COVID-19 management will continue to be strictly followed throughout the country till 31st May this year. Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all States and Union Territories to consider the containment measures for immediate implementation based on the assessment of the situation. It has asked them to implement the necessary containment measures, under the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act. Read more on The Dispatch
25-yr-old girl among 17 patients die of COVID-19 in J&K, toll 2,270
Srinagar: A 25-year-old girl from Shankarpora Anantnag was among seventeen patients, who died due to Covid-19 in Jammu and Kashmir since last night, thus taking the total fatalities count in the Union Territory to 2,270. Read more on The Dispatch
Delhi Customs facilitated swift clearance of COVID material received from USA: CBIC
New Delhi: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has said that Delhi Customs facilitated swift clearance of COVID material received from the USA.
The materials include 200 Size D oxygen cylinders with regulators, 223 Size H oxygen cylinders with regulators, 210 pulse oximeters, one lakh 84 thousand Abbott Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits and 84 thousand N-95 face masks. In a tweet, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that being quick and responsive is the need of the hour and that Delhi Customs continue the good work. Read more on The Dispatch
Operations of Oxygen Express trains expanded to Haryana and Telangana
New Delhi: Operations of Oxygen Express trains have been expanded to Haryana and Telangana after Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. Continuing the momentum, there are three more trains on the run either carrying Liquid Oxygen or on the way to the loading plants. It is expected that cumulative liquid medical oxygen (LMO) carried by Indian railways will reach almost 640 metric tonne in the next 24 hours. Read more on The Dispatch
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurates mobile COVID RT-PCR test laboratory in Nagpur
New Delhi: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated a mobile Covid RT-PCR test laboratory in Nagpur. Operated by Spice Health and Nagpur Municipal Corporation, this lab has capacity to test 3 thousand samples per day and can give reports within 24 hours. He said that this facility will enable patients to diagnose the disease early. Read more on The Dispatch
Most exit polls predict TMC coming to power in West Bengal and BJP in Assam
New Delhi: Most of the exit polls have predicted victory of Trinamool Congress in West Bengal assembly elections while some predict a close contest between BJP and TMC. The exit polls telecast by different private TV channels this evening gave TMC 128 to 176 seats and BJP 109 to 148 seats.
In Assam, the exit polls are predicting BJP’s victory. BJP is expected to win 58 to 85 seats and Congress 40 to 66 seats. However, some exit polls are also showing a close contest between t BJP and Congress in the state. Read more on The Dispatch.
First US COVID emergency aid supplies arrive in India
New Delhi: A military plane on Friday brought the first US emergency coronavirus supplies to help India battle its devastating surge in the pandemic.
A Super Galaxy military transporter carrying more than 400 oxygen cylinders and other hospital equipment and nearly one million rapid coronavirus tests landed at New Delhi’s international airport as the Indian capital battles a major pandemic crisis. Read more on The Dispatch.
Brazil tops 400,000 virus deaths amid fears of renewed surge
Sao Paulo: Brazil has became the second country to officially top 400,000 COVID-19 deaths, losing another 100,000 lives in just one month, as some health experts warn there may be gruesome days ahead when the Southern Hemisphere enters winter.
April was Brazil’s deadliest month of the pandemic, with thousands of people losing their lives daily at crowded hospitals. Read more on The Dispatch
Former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee passes away at 91 after contracting Covid
New Delhi: Former Attorney General of India and renowned jurist, Soli Jehangir Sorabjee, passed away on Friday at the age of 91.
He had contracted the novel coronavirus and was undergoing treatment at a South Delhi hospital, according to family sources. Read more on The Dispatch
LG led admin amends J&K Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment Act 2010
JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led administration has on Friday amended to exclude Health and Medical Education Department identified Gazzetted level teaching and faculty posts on academic arrangement basis, from the operation of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment Act 2010. Read more on The Dispatch
Srinagar Admin declares 7 more areas as Containment Zones
Srinagar: The district administration of Srinagar has declared seven more areas as Containment zones in Srinagar in view of the fresh detection of Covid-19 Positive cases.
According to the separate orders issued by the DDMA Srinagar, the copies of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the areas which have been declared containment zones are Parimpora, Zoonimar, Peerbagh, Gulab Bagh, Jawhar Nagar, Boatman Colony Bemina and Mehjoor Nagar. Read more on The Dispatch
One booked for obstructing official in performing COVID duty at Leh airport
Leh: A case has been registered against a person for his “unruly” behaviour with a government official on COVID-19 duty at the airport in Leh district of Ladakh Union Territory.
Similarly, in charge of the COVID Command Centre and the district surveillance team inspected 16 households in Maneytselding, Nimoling, Bus Stand, Housing Colony Quarter, Housing Colony A and B block, Bomb Garh, Choglamsar and found eight people violating quarantine rules, the officials said. Read more on The Dispatch.
J&K admin council okays high-density plantation scheme to make horticulture self-reliant
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council on Thursday approved the implementation of a high-density plantation and nurseries scheme for private entrepreneurs and start-ups in the horticulture sector. The scheme will be in force for five years, a spokesperson said. Read more on The Dispatch
