PM holds meet as Covid cases rise

PM Modi chairs a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of health infrastructure

New Delhi (ANI): Amid the spike in influenza cases in the country and the rise of Covid-19 cases in the past 2 weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a highlevel meeting to assess in terms of preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, the status of the vaccination campaign.

A comprehensive presentation was made covering the global Covid-19 situation including the rising cases in India by the Secretary, of Health, MoHFW. PM Modi was briefed that India has been witnessing a slight rise in new cases with average daily cases reported as 888 and weekly positivity reported as 0.98 percent in the week ending March 22, 2023.

“The action taken on the directions given by Prime Minister during the last Covid-19 review held on December 22, 2022, was also briefed. He was informed that the availability and prices of 20 main Covid Drugs, 12 other drugs, 8 buffer drugs, and 1 influenza drug are being monitored.

PM Modi directed officials to enhance the Whole Genome Sequencing of Positive Samples with the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories & said that effective monitoring of IRI/SARI cases, & testing for influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and Adenovirus be followed up with States.

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR PLEAS

Seeking

TO CRIMINALIZE MARITAL RAPE ON MAY 9

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday listed the pleas concerning the constitutional validity of the Marital Rape exception on May 9, 2023. The batch of petitions, which was listed before a bench for 21st March 2023, could not be heard then owing to Justice Pardiwala’s absence. Accordingly, the matter was mentioned again today before the bench by Senior Advocate Indira Jaising and Advocate Karuna Nundy seeking a specific posting.

Sisodia Sent To Judicial Custody Till April

5

New Delhi (ANI): The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday sent Delhi’s former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia till April 5, 2023, in a money laundering case pertaining to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD. The ED produced Sisodia before the Court at the end of the custodial remand period granted earlier. The ED didn’t seek further remand and moved an application for judicial custody.

PM TO ADDRESS ‘ONE WORLD TB SUMMIT’ AT VARANASI

New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the ‘One World TB Summit’ in Varanasi on March 24 and launch projects worth over Rs 1,780 crore during the visit to his parliamentary constituency. On the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, he will address the One World TB Summit being organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Stop TB Partnership, a United Nationshosted organisation that amplifies the voices of people, communities and countries affected by the disease.

Clarify On Carbon Dating Of Shivling

BY APRIL 15: COURT

Prayagraj (PTI): Allahabad HC has granted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) the last opportunity to file its response by April 5 clarifying whether the process of carbon dating will damage an object, claimed to be a “Shivling”, found inside the Gyanvapi mosque or safe evaluation of its age can be done.

The Hindu petitioners have claimed the object to be a “Shivling”. The claim was disputed by Muslim side, which said the object was part of a “fountain”.

BILKIS BANO CASE: SC AGREES TO CONSTITUTE NEW BENCH TO

Hear Plea

New Delhi (ANI): The SC on Wednesday said that it will constitute a bench to hear a plea challenging the pre-mature release of 11 convicts who had gang-raped Bilkis and murdered her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots. A bench said, “I will have a bench constituted. Need to break two benches for it. Will look at it this evening.” The CJI said this after advocate appearing for Bano, mentioned the plea seeking listing of the case and said that the matter is not getting listed.

INDIA BECOMING BIG EXPORTER OF TELECOM TECHNOLOGY: PM MODI

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is moving fast to become a big exporter of telecom technology from being only a user few years ago. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Office and Innovation Centre here, Modi said India is one of countries to have rolled out 5G mobile technology at the fastest pace. He said the services have been expanded to 125 cities within 120 days of the launch of 5G. ''Within 6 months of the rollout of 5G technology we are talking about 6G,'' Modi said. This, he said shows the confidence of the country. ''Before 4G, India was only a user of telecom technology, but now India is moving fast to become a big exporter of telecom technology,'' he said.

India Reports

1,134 FRESH

COVID CASES

New Delhi: India recorded 1,134 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases increased to 7,026, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death toll climbed to 5,30,813 with five deaths with one each reported by Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra and one reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8am stated.

KERALA

ON ALERT, USE OF MASKS URGED

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George, chairing a meeting to review the increase of Covid cases in the state on Wednesday, said it would be better if the aged, children and those with ailments use masks in public places. The Kerala Health Minister also said that the use of masks when visiting hospitals should be a must.