Month: May 2021

In view of the very severe cyclonic storm Yaas likely to make landfall on the coastal areas of Odisha, evacuation drive is on a war footing and is expected to be completed by Tuesday while rescue teams have been deployed with high-end equipment to carry out effective and prompt rescue operations, informed Y K Jethwa, ADGP (Law and Order).

Briefing the mediapersons, the ADGP said, “To tackle the impending Cyclone Yaas, Odisha Police has been involved in the pre-cyclone measures and post-cyclone rescue operation. The police teams in the vulnerable and coastal districts under the supervision of respective SPs have intensified the evacuation drive. As many as 81,661 people living in vulnerable areas have already been evacuated and sent to cyclone shelters. The evacuation drive will be expedited in the coming hours and by the evening we will finish the evacuation drive.”

On the post-cyclone recovery plan, he said, “For post-cyclone rescue and recovery, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have already been deployed in all vulnerable locations. 55 platoons of Odisha Arm Police are also with them to assist in rescue and recovery work. NDRF and Odisha Fire Service teams are also there. Under the supervision of district administration and SPs, the operations are underway in a coordinated manner.”

Y K Jethwa emphasised that the rescue teams are laced with high-end equipment and machinery for prompt and effective rescue and restoration operations.

“ODRAF teams have been provided with high-end equipment like hydraulic tree cutters, concrete cutters, plasma cutters, gas cutters to effectively and speedily carry out road clearance operations. They have JCBs, cranes and inflatable boats for effective movement. For uninterrupted communication, the teams have been provided with satellite phones and wireless sets. For energy supply, they have high-end 10 KVA generators, tower mast lights and searchlights so that they can effectively and promptly carry out the rescue operation,” added Jethwa.

Considering that the severe cyclonic storm ‘Yaas’ is likely to make landfall in coastal areas of Odisha on Wednesaday, the state on Tuesday issued a red alert warning for Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Balasore districts, which are likely to be affected by heavy rainfall.

Umashankar Das, Deputy Director of India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Bhubaneswar said, “A red alert, that is extremely heavy rainfall warning has been issued for Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, and Balasore for today. The rainfall will exceed more than 20 cm.”

The official said that an orange alert, that is heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khorda, and Puri today. “The rainfall in the district is expected to measure between 12-20 cm,” Das said.

The IMD regional Deputy Director further said, “We are expecting wind speeds of 150-160 kmph. gusting 180kmph over Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore tomorrow as landfall is expected by noon. We have issued the highest danger warning for Dhamra and Paradip ports.”

Meanwhile, people have been evacuated by Balasore district administration and Marine Police Force in the Chandipur area, ahead of the cyclonic storm Yaas.

“We are focusing on the evacuation of people from low-lying areas. 1,200 centers to be used as shelters have been sanitized due to the Covid-19 situation. We have health teams deployed at these centers. Power restoration and road clearance teams deployed,” Balasore District Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarthy said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed the state’s home minister to reach Balasore today and remain there to monitor the situation.

It has been predicted that the cyclonic storm Yaas is going to intensity into a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ in the next 12 hours.

Cyclone Yaas is very likely to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Paradip and Sagar Island around Balasore, during noon of May 26 as a ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’. (ANI)

With 1,96,427 fresh cases and 3,26,850 recoveries in the last 24 hours, India’s daily COVID-19 positivity rate dropped to 9.54 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry’s data on Tuesday.

The ministry informed that the daily new cases have fallen below 2 lakh to a level seen 40 days before (daily new cases were 1,84,372 on April 14, 2021). Cumulatively, the active caseload has also now reduced to 25,86,782.
Active coronavirus cases in the country have decreased since its last peak on May 10, 2021. A net decline of 1,33,934 is witnessed in the last 24 hours. It now comprises 9.60 percent of the country’s total positive cases, the Union Health Ministry said.

India’s daily recoveries continue to outnumber the daily new cases for the 12th consecutive day. With 3,26,850 fresh recoveries in the last 24 hours, India’s cumulative recoveries have reached 2,40,54,861 today. The national recovery rate has further improved to touch 89.26 per cent

A total of 20,58,112 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country and cumulatively 33,25,94,176 tests have been done so far.

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 19,85,38,999 vaccine doses have been administered through 28,41,151 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today.

These include 97,79,304 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 67,18,723 HCWs who have taken the second dose.

Adding up to the tally, 1,50,79,964 frontline workers (FLWs) were inoculated with their first dose and 83,55,982 FLWs were inoculated with their second dose of the vaccine. 1,19,11,759 beneficiaries under the 18-44 age group were also jabbed with their first dose.

As many as 6,15,48,484 persons between 45-60 years of age group were administered their first dose and 99,15,278 beneficiaries aged between 45 to 60 years were administered their second dose. Also, 5,69,15,863 beneficiaries of more than 60 years were given their first dose and 1,83,13,642 beneficiaries of more than 60 years were given their second dose respectively.

12.82 lakh vaccination doses were administered for the 18-44 age group in the last 24 hours. This is the highest since May 1, 2021, when the liberalised pricing and accelerated national Covid-19 vaccination strategy was implemented, the health ministry said. (ANI)

Facebook on Tuesday said it aims to comply with the provisions of India’s new IT rules and will continue to discuss the few issues “which need more engagement” with the government.

The social media giant’s statement come ahead of the end today of the deadline to comply with Central rules to regulate digital content featuring a code of ethics and a three-tier grievance redressal framework.
In a statement, a Facebook spokesperson said the social media platform remains committed to people’s ability to “freely and safely express” themselves on its platform.

“We aim to comply with the provisions of the IT rules and continue to discuss a few of the issues which need more engagement with the government. Pursuant to the IT rules, we are working to implement operational processes and improve efficiencies,” said a Facebook spokesperson

On February 25, the Centre framed the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, in the exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and in supersession of the earlier Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011, which will come into effect from May 26.

The new guidelines issued by the government of India mandated a grievance redressal system for over the top (OTT) and digital portals in the country.

Briefing the media about the new rules on February 25, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said that though the government welcomes criticism and the right to dissent, “but it is very important for the users of social media to have a forum to raise their grievance against the misuse of social media.”

Under the new rules, social media platforms will have to have a grievance redressal mechanism, they will also have to name a grievance officer who shall register the grievance within 24 hours and disposal in 15 days.

The government had said that if there are complaints against the dignity of users, particularly women – about exposed private parts of individuals or nudity or sexual act or impersonation etc – social media platforms will be required to remove that within 24 hours after a complaint is made.

As per the guidelines, first, the social media platforms will have to have a chief compliance officer residing in India responsible for ensuring compliance with the act and the rules.

Second is a nodal contact person who should reside in India for 24X7 coordination with law enforcement agencies. Also, social media platforms have to appoint a resident grievance officer who shall perform the grievance redressal mechanism as indicated. They also will have to publish a monthly report about the number of complaints received and the status of redressal. (ANI)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the West Bengal government on a plea seeking directions to stop or prevent the alleged state-sponsored violence in West Bengal in wake of the state Assembly elections results.

A Bench of Justice Vineet Saran and Justice BR Gavai asked the government to file its response on the plea and on the request of senior advocate Pinky Anand, appearing for the petitioner, agreed to make NHRC and National Commission for Women and Children a party to the PIL.
The plea filed by five social activists, including two lawyers, also sought the constitution of an SIT to investigate the violence and take appropriate action against the culprits in reported incidents.

The petition seeking SIT probe into post-poll violence provides relief and rehabilitation to lakhs of persons displaced from the state after post-poll violence allegedly unleashed by TMC workers.

The apex court directed to file the reply by June 7 and posted the matter next for hearing in the second week of June.

The plea filed by Arun Mukherjee and others claimed that post-poll violence in West Bengal has led to an exodus of people and internal displacement in the state.

The police and “state-sponsored goons” are in cahoots, owing to which the former is not investigating cases and are failing to provide protection to those who are facing threats to their lives, it claimed.

It asked to provide immediate relief to the internally displaced persons affected due to post-poll violence by setting up camps, making provision for food, medicines and pandemic resources.

The PIL further sought direction to Centre to constitute an Inquiry Commission to assess the scale and causes of the exodus, and direction to state government to provide long-term relief to the internally displaced persons by making provision for their rehabilitation, compensation for loss of family members, property, livelihood, mental and emotional agony. (ANI)

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday said that more than 21.89 crore vaccine doses have been provided to States and Union Territories so far.

It also said that 1,77,67,850 crore COVID vaccine doses are still available with the States and UTs to be administered.
According to the Health Ministry, the Centre has so far provided, both through the free of cost category and through direct state procurement category, more than 21.89 crore vaccine doses (21,89,69,250) to states and union territories.

“Of this, the total consumption, including wastages is 19,93,39,750 doses (as per data available at 8 am today),” the ministry said.

Furthermore, 7 lakh vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the states and UTs within the next three days.

It further said that the Government of India has also been facilitating direct procurement of vaccines by the states and UTs.

“Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of Government of India for containment and management of the pandemic, along with Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour,” it added.

The implementation of the liberalised and accelerated phase-3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination has started from May 1, 2021.

“Under the strategy, in every month 50 per cent of the total Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccine doses of any manufacturer would be procured by Govt. of India. It would continue to make these doses available to the state governments totally free of cost as was being done earlier,” it further added.

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 19,85,38,999 vaccine doses have been administered through 28,41,151 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today. (ANI)

Hours after sending a notice to Twitter over a “manipulated media” tag used on tweets alleging a Congress “toolkit” against the Central government, a team of Delhi Police Special cell is carrying out a search at the Twitter India offices in Lado Sarai, Delhi and Gurgaon.

Further details into the matter are awaited.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police sent a notice to Twitter, seeking an explanation from the microblogging site on what grounds it tagged BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra’s tweet on the alleged Congress toolkit designed to target the Central government as ‘manipulated media’.

The Delhi Police Special Cell asked Twitter to explain the rationale and share all the information on how it described the toolkit as manipulated media.

“The Delhi Police is enquiring into a complaint in which clarification is sought from Twitter on the classification of a tweet by Sambit Patra as ‘manipulative’. It appears that Twitter has some information that is not known to us on the basis of which they have classified it as such,” the Police said in the notice sent to Twitter.

“This information is relevant to the enquiry. The Special Cell, which is conducting the enquiry, wants to find out the truth. Twitter, which has claimed to know the underlying truth, should clarify,” the notice added.

Earlier, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had written to Twitter objecting to it tagging some of the posts on an alleged Congress “toolkit” against the Central government, as “manipulated media”.

It asked Twitter to remove the tag as the matter is pending investigation before a law enforcement agency.

The BJP, on May 18, slammed Congress for an alleged “toolkit on COVID-19 pandemic”.

Addressing the media, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed that the toolkit has instructions for social media volunteers of Congress to call the new COVID-19 mutant the “Indian strain” or “Modi strain” against the World Health Organization’s (WHO) instructions.

However, the Congress denied the allegations and wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner seeking registration of FIR against BJP President JP Nadda, Union Minister Smriti Irani, party spokesperson Sambit Patra, party leader BL Santhosh and others for alleging that they had shared “forged and fabricated documents with the intent to create communal disharmony and civil unrest” and to “divert attention from Modi government’s failure in providing necessary aid to people amidst the current pandemic”.

The complaint was made after remarks by BJP leaders on social media with the hashtag #CongressToolkitExposed in which they accused Congress of spreading “false, negative news and stirring up discontent”. (ANI)

Farmers gathered in large numbers in Hisar on Monday to protest the police action against them for clashing with police earlier this month.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait was among the huge group, which gathered to protest and demand legal action against Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Hisar and other officials who allegedly lathi charged them and filed FIRs against hundreds of farmers after a clash between farmers and police on May 16.

District administration stepped up security in the area after the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) called to intensify protests from May 26, which marks six months of protests of farmers against the three central agricultural laws.

Amid a statewide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19, the farmers marched from Krantiman Park towards the Commissioner’s Office.

Violence broke out on May 16 after a group of farmers, protesting against the farm laws, attempted to tried to march towards a venue where Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar was to inaugurate a Covid-19 hospital. To stop and disperse the farmers, police used tear gas shells. Following this, an altercation occurred between police and farmers.

The farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the farm laws passed by the Centre.

Earlier, the Haryana CM had urged farmers to suspend their protest during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, claiming that their movements to and from dharna sites were spreading the infection in villages.

Khattar had said, “In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, I once again appeal to the farmer leaders to suspend their protests. The only goal for all of us should be to save the lives of people in the time of this crisis. There is nothing more than human life.”

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday had also extended its support to the call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to observe a countrywide protest on May 26 and observe it as a “Black Day For Democracy”.

In a tweet, AAP leader Raghav Chadha urged the Centre to immediately resume talks with the farmers and accede to their demands. (ANI)

By Shalini Bhardwaj

To bring Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in India, discussions are underway between the Government of India (GOI) and Pfizer Inc.

In a statement on Monday, Pfizer spokesperson said: “Pfizer’s discussions with the GOI are ongoing and we are hopeful to bring the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in the country. We are unable to divulge further details at this moment.”

On state procurement tenders, the US vaccine maker said it will supply vaccines only to central governments.

“Pfizer will supply COVID-19 vaccine only to central governments and supra-national organisations for deployment in national immunization programs. Allocation of doses and implementation plan within a country is a decision for local governments based on relevant health authority guidance,” it said.

Pfizer said that the development, manufacturing, distribution and storage of complex innovative products, including the mRNA technology, requires globally-optimized supply chains.

“Since the beginning of this pandemic, Pfizer’s priority has been to ensure rapid manufacturing and deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine to cater to the current emergency response scenario. We have a robust supply chain currently in place with established capabilities – one each in the US and one in Europe – that can quickly manufacture and deploy the vaccine for use across the world,” the spokesperson said.

Pfizer and BioNTech have set a target to deliver over 2.5 billion vaccine doses in 2021. This includes expanding the manufacturing capabilities and increasing the supplier base for key materials to the supply chain, said the company official. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday enquired about the preparedness of Assam, Sikkim and Meghalaya to tackle cyclone Yaas.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed him that emergency services have been pressed into action.
“Cyclone Yaas is likely to affect the region on 26-27 May. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called and enquired about the preparedness of Assam, Sikkim and Meghalaya. Informed that emergency services have been pressed into action,” Sarma said in a tweet.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall for Assam and Meghalaya on May 26-27.

“Assam and Meghalaya on May 26 and 27 and Bihar on May 28; scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely falls over Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal on May 26,” the IMD tweeted.

A total of 35 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in the cities likely to be affected by the cyclone Yaas.

“There are 35 NDRF teams already deployed in West Bengal, some have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar. Some teams may have to be deployed in Jharkhand as cyclonic storm may impact cities like Jamshedpur and Ranch”, NDRF Director General (DG) SN Pradhan said.

IMD on Monday informed that the deep depression over the East-central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm and it would further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours.

Keeping in view the approaching cyclone, the Eastern Railway on Sunday cancelled 25 trains between May 24 and May 29. (ANI)