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Daily COVID-19 cases fall below 1,000 in India, first time in 715 days

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NEW DELHI: India recorded less than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases for the first time in 715 days even as the virus tally rose to 4,30,29,044, while the active infection count fell below 13,000, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.

India recorded COVID-19 cases below 1,000 for the first time since April 18, 2020 when 991 cases were reported.

A reduction of 416 cases has been recorded in the number of active infections in a span of 24 hours. India’s COVID-19 tally had surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020.

The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore coronavirus cases on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.29 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 0.22 per cent, according to the Health Ministry.

A total of 79.10 crore tests for the detection of COVID-19 have been conducted so far, including 3,14,823 in the last 24 hours. The 13 new fatalities include eight from Kerala. A total of 5,21,358 deaths linked to coronavirus have so far been reported in the country.

This includes 1,47,789 from Maharashtra, 68,074 from Kerala, 40,054 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,153 from Delhi, 23,496 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,199 from West Bengal. The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

“Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw expresses concern over communal rift

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BENGALURU: Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on Thursday expressed concern over recent incidents of communal tension in Karnataka, saying they could impact the state’s image globally.

Responding to Shaw’s concerns, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai appealed to people to maintain law and order and peace. “Karnataka is known for peace and progress, and every one should observe restraint and see to it that it is not affected,”he added.  

“When social issues arise, there is a possibility for us to discuss and resolve it. So before going public, everyone should observe restraint,” the CM added. Bommai also said that several issues have come up for discussion in the public domain in the state.

“Everyone should cooperate to maintain peace and order,” he added. He told reporters that the issue of school uniforms has been resolved. Shaw said, “Unfortunately, vested interests are hijacking the issue to political parties.

I am confident our CM will resolve the matter peacefully. I am a proud Kannadiga and don’t want to see these incidents detract from economic progress…” Later, Shaw said she agreed with Bommai for calling upon “all sections of society to observe restraint before going public on social issues , as they can be resolved through discussions.”

Rahul Gandhi hails Basavanna, says no place for hatred

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TUMAKURU: “At a time when hatred is spreading across the country, the philosophy of 12th century revolutionary Basavanna preaching a casteless society is the need of  the hour, and the job of the Siddaganga Mutt, which has been propagating the same, is commendable. We should remove hatred to shape a society of communal harmony,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said at the Siddaganga Mutt here on Thursday.  

He was speaking on the eve of the 115th birth anniversary of Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, just a few hours ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to take part in the mega event at the mutt on Friday. The visits have acquired their own significance.

“Basavanna has said that we are all one, we should live together, keeping away hatred over caste and religion. I congratulate the Siddaganga Mutt authorities for imparting the preachings of  Basavanna and shaping the future of lakhs of children,” he stated.

Hailing the contributions of Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, the Congress leader observed that society  should tread the path the great saint has shown, to educate the youth and uplift the poor, for which he extended all help to the mutt. 

Relationship with Mutt is not new: MP

“It is a matter of great joy that a leader of eminence and youth icon has come here. Indira Gandhi had visited the mutt, which was momentous, and Rahul’s visit is also momentous,” remarked Sri Siddalinga Swamiji, the head of the mutt, while appreciating Rahul’s wish for a hatred-free society.

Adopting a diplomatic stance, the prominent Lingayat religious institution is giving equal footing to both national parties — BJP and Congress. Earlier, Rahul’s visit was restricted to paying a visit to the ‘gadduge’, the divine tomb of the Swamiji, but was extended wi th him addres s ing thousands of children of the mutt during an evening prayer,” remarked a Congress Lingayat leader.

The occasion helped the mutt and Gandhis reiterate their long-term relationship. “Our relationship with the mutt is not new, my grandmother, mother and I have visited the mutt in the past,” recalled Rahul, which Sri Siddalinga Swamiji also stressed in his speech later.

“Sonia Gandhi had dropped her security personnel from her car and picked me up to go to the venue, along with Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, to take part in his 105th birthday celebrations,” he said, turning nostalgic. Rahul and the Swamiji posed for a photograph along with the children of the mutt.

Rahul had snacks and was also felicitated. Congress leaders D K Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, B K Hariprasad, M B Patil, Eshwar Khandre, Dhruvanarayana and others put up an united front throughout the visit.

Punjab refuses to accept Centre’s order on installing prepaid smart electricity meters

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CHANDIGARH: Power meters are the new point of friction between the Centre and Punjab. The AAP-led state government has refused to accept the Centre’s directive on installing prepaid smart electricity meters in households saying the move will interfere with its plan to provide free electricity to the people.

In a letter to Punjab’s power secretary on March 10, Vishal Kapoor, joint secretary in Union power ministry, noted that out of 85,000 smart meters installed in the state so far under the Government of India scheme, none were in prepaid mode.

He directed that all the smart meters installed under Government of India schemes be converted into prepaid mode within three months or else the Union government would be forced to withhold funds for power reforms.

Turning down the Centre’s directive, Punjab’s power minister Harbhajan Singh said the state government would install smart meters but not the pre-paid ones mandated by the Centre. Earlier, farmers in the state had threatened to start a protest if the pre-paid meters were installed.

“An ordinary meter costs between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500, while the cost of a smart prepaid meter is in the range of Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000. The government will bear the cost initially, but later it will be extracted from consumers as the Centre will reimburse only 15 per cent of the total cost,” said an official. 

All eyes on Amit Shah’s visit to Bengaluru

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MYSURU: All eyes are on Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Bengaluru to launch development works, and attend the crucial BJP Core Committee meeting as there will be a clear picture on the buzz that the state government is likely to go for early assembly elections. 

Even the principal Opposition, Congress, and the JD(s) will watch what transpires at the core committee meeting. The clear picture in this regard is likely to evolve after the Shah’s visit as he, after the launch of development works, will also chair a meeting of the BJP core Committee. 

‘BJP leaders to tour state after Shah visit’

The committee will discuss the strategy to strengthen the party organization from the booth level and also emulate similar strategies that help the party take the programmes to the doorstep of people. It is also learnt that the Chief Minister may also seek Amit Shah’s advice on long-pending cabinet expansion to fill a few ministerial berths that are vacant.

It is learned that the majority of the leaders and cadres are in an upbeat mood and are in favor of early elections and wanted to take advantage of the favorable momentum from the BJP’s victory in four states, including the high-voltage Uttar Pradesh, which made the party claim that there was an incumbent factor. The BJP locked with the opposition Congress over the hijab row for more than a month and knowing the public sentiment, feels that issues like including texts from the Bhagwad Gita in school syllabus will help them reap rich dividends.

However, former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said they will have a clear picture after Shah’s visit and are expecting that the party will start the process for poll preparations. Asserting that the BJP will continue in power after the next Assembly elections in the state, Yeddiyurappa said there are no plans for advanced election in the state. BJP leaders will tour the state after Shah’s visit, he added.

IPL 2022: Evin Lewis Ayush Badoni propel Lucknow Super Giants to incredible win over CSK

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MUMBAI: Evin Lewis, who looks up to Chris Gayle for inspiration, batted, or rather, belted the ball like the legendary Jamaican to power Lucknow Super Giants to an incredible win over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL on Thursday.

Openers KL Rahul (40) and Quinton de Kock (61) laid the foundation with a rollicking stand but the increasing required run rate made the task extremely difficult for LSG.

However, Lewis had other ideas and along with the talented Ayush Badoni, who played his part with a nine-ball 19, made it look quite easy in the end.

The script changed completely in the blink of an eye as Lewis and Badoni smashed Shivam Dube for 25 runs in the penultimate over to bring the equation down to nine from the last six balls.

For sure, handing the ball to Dube to bowl the 19th over will be debated for a while.

In all, Lewis hit six fours and three sixes as first-timers LSG recorded their maiden win in the lucrative league.

Badoni hit two maximums, which turned out to be crucial in the context of the final result.

Earlier, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (2/24) did a tremendous job with the wet ball in difficult conditions, even as Robin Uthappa turned back the clock with his beautiful yet brutal assault to propel CSK to a strong total.

Rahul and de Kock were off to a flyer, punishing the CSK bowlers into submission.

The duo was at its destructive best, dealing only in four and sixes and at one point it looked like they were going to finish the game in quick time.

But Dwaine Pretorius (2/31) was right on his mark as he got rid of Rahul before Dwayne Bravo (1/35) engineered Manish Pandey’s dismissal to bring the defending champions back in the game.

Pretorius struck once again, accounting for compatriot de Kock as CSK continued to put pressure with good fielding.

Then, Lewis joined forces with Badoni to do the job for LSG.

With just nine required in the last over and Mukesh Choudhary bowling a couple of wides, Badoni smashed a six to level the score and then took his side over the line.

Earlier, Uthappa scored a fluent 50 off 27 balls to give CSK a solid start before Dube made 49 off 30 deliveries, while skipper Ravindra Jadeja (17 off 9) and MS Dhoni (16 off 6), who slammed two fours and a six, provided the final flourish.

Uthappa looked like a man on a mission as he slammed Avesh Khan (2/38) for back-to-back boundaries off the first two balls of the innings.

With the ball coming nicely onto the bat, he smashed it all over the park.

CSK were dealt a blow when a direct hit by Bishnoi from backward point marked the end of Ruturaj Gaikwad (1), who was well short of the crease in the third over.

But Uthappa, and new man Moeen Ali (35), continued the assault by dealing only in fours and sixes.

The Super Giants bowlers had no answer for the duo as CSK raced to 73 for one at the end of the Powerplay.

In all, Uthappa slammed eight fours and one maximum, while Moeen hit four boundaries and two sixes during his 22-ball stay.

It was Bishnoi again who gave the second breakthrough when he trapped Uthappa leg before with a quick delivery, soon after the batter reached his fifty.

Dube picked up from where Uthappa left, cracking three boundaries off Dushmantha Chameera (0/49), who struggled with his line, in the ninth over.

It was a bad day for the Sri Lankan as he repeatedly fumbled with the ball in the field, giving away easy boundaries.

With the bowlers struggling after getting nothing from the wicket, sloppy fielding made matters worse for LSG.

Dube and Ambati Rayudu (27), then, shared a 60-run stand to keep CSK on course for a big total.

Uttarakhand polls: BJP blames factionalism, internal sabotage for CM Pushkar Singh Dhami’s defeat

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DEHRADUN: Factionalism in the party and internal sabotage are to be blamed for the defeat of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami from Khatima seat in the recent Assembly elections, the BJP has concluded.

The party has also decided to investigate the reasons for reduced vote share compared to 2017. BJP national general secretary BL Santosh is likely to visit Uttarakhand soon to hold meetings on the matter.

The constituencies which will get special attention include Khatima and Piran Kaliyar, where the party candidate lost deposit, and other seats where the margin of defeat was below 3,000. BJP sources said the exercise could lead to weeding out of some members who are suspected to have helped the rivals. 

In the 2017 elections, the BJP had garnered 46.51 per cent votes with 57 seats while this time, it bagged 44.34 per cent votes and 47 seats. Despite Dhami’s loss, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s central leadership decided to retain him as CM after the party secured 48 seats in the 70-member Assembly, beating the trend of no party returning to power for a second straight term. Six MLAs of the party have shown willingness to vacate their seats for Dhami to contest.

When Dhami was chosen chief minister in July last year, many seniors in the party including Satpal Maharaj, Harak Singh Rawat, Yashpal Arya and Bishan Singh Chuphal were reportedly unhappy.

Despite Pushkar Singh Dhami’s loss, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s central leadership decided to retain him as Uttarakhand CM after the party secured 48 seats in the 70-member Assembly, beating the trend of no party returning to power for a second straight term. 

India reported 1,335 fresh cases of COVID-19, 52 deaths recorded

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NEW DELHI: With 1,335 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,30,25,775, while the active cases dipped to 13,672, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

A reduction of 635 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.22 per cent and the weekly positivity rate as 0.23 per cent, according to the ministry.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,24,90,922, while the case fatality rate was recorded as 1.21 per cent. The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 184.31 crore.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. The 52 new fatalities include 48 from Kerala.

A total of 5,21,181 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,47,783 from Maharashtra, 67,913 from Kerala, 40,054 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,152 from Delhi, 23,495 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,197 from West Bengal.

The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

Sri Lanka crisis: Police arrests 45 people, briefly impose curfew during protests

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MIRIHANA (SRI LANKA): At least 45 people were arrested and a curfew briefly imposed in most parts of Colombo city after hundreds of protesters gathered outside the residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa demanding his resignation for failing to address the worst economic crisis in the island nation.

On Thursday protesters shouted slogans, directing their ire against what they perceive as the Rajapaksa regime’s gross mismanagement that has exacerbated Sri Lanka’s foreign-exchange woes. They also demanded President Rajapaksa’s resignation.

According to the police, in the protest several, including five policemen, were injured while vehicles were set on fire as a spontaneous expression of public anger over the current economic crisis turned violent.

“As of now 45 people have been arrested. Five policemen were injured while a police bus, a Jeep and two motorcycles were burnt. The protesters had also caused damage to a police water cannon truck,” a senior police official said.

A curfew was imposed at midnight on Thursday covering most parts of the Colombo district and the suburban police division of Kelaniya but was lifted at 5 am on Friday morning. In the Kelaniya area, protesters had blocked the main Colombo-Kandy road. Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in history.

With long lines for fuel, cooking gas, essentials in short supply and long hours of power cuts the public has been suffering for weeks.

Rajapaksa has defended his government’s actions, saying the foreign exchange crisis was not his making and the economic downturn was largely pandemic driven where the island’s tourism revenue and inward remittances waning.

Formulate an integrated plan for sustainable mining:CM Basavaraj Bommai instructs Minerals Corporation

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Parmesh S JAIN

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has instructed the Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Limited to formulate an integrated plan for sustainable mining.

The Chief Minister in his address after inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Minerals Corporation stressed the importance of putting an end to the environmental destruction due to mining.

Plans should be drawn up for judicious use of minerals and restoration of environmental damage in a phased manner over the next 50 years.

Mining should be undertaken in a scientific manner avoiding any damage to the environment, he said.

For the first time in the country a grant of Rs100 cr has been made under the head ‘Green Budget’ in the general budget of the State for 2022-23 to offset the environmental deficit caused to nature over the years,Bommai said.

Nature and man are part of the creation of the world.Thanks to modern technology, the mining waste has turned into wealth.

Mining has a long history.The earlier generations have preserved the natural wealth for the future generations and it is our duty to maintain the balance and pass it on to the future generations. So we should move towards sustainable mining, Bommai said.

The Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai assured all the assistance from the State government for the efficient functioning of the Minerals Corporation.

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