Gujarat government imposes night-curfew in 9 more cities

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that Air India is going to airlift 10,636 oxygen concentrators manufactured by Philips from various countries. In a tweet, Puri said that such 636 concentrators have already flown in from US to India. He said, the consignments are flying in every day and the whole task will be completed within this week.

-Government has procured over 232 lakh tonnes of Wheat benefitting more than 22 lakh farmers. The procurement of Wheat has recently commenced in Rabi Marketing Season in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir at Minimum Support Price. Consumer Affairs Ministry has said that Paddy procurement in the ongoing season Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States with purchase of over 710 lakh tonnes of paddy against the last year corresponding purchase of 646 lakh tonnes. The Ministry said, more than one crore six lakh farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season procurement Operations with MSP value of more than one lakh 34 thousand crore rupees.

-Gujarat government has imposed night-curfew in 9 more cities in addition to earlier 20. With the addition of these, now total 29 cities in the state are under the night curfew from 8 pm to 6 am. The state government has also imposed a series of restrictions following a surge in new cases of Covid19. These decisions have been taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in line with the guidelines issued by the central government.The new 9 cities, where a corona curfew has been imposed from today are Himmatnagar, Palanpur, Navsari, Valsad, Porbandar, Botad, Viramgam, Chhota Udepur and Veraval - Somnath. According to new restrictions malls, shopping complex, cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, saloon, spas and beauty parlors will remain closed. The restaurants will remain closed for customers but take away services will continue. All Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee will remain closed except that dealing with only vegetables and fruits.All religious places will remain close for the public. State Transport buses will run with only fifty percent capacity. Only 50 persons are allowed in wedding functions while 20 in funerals. However, all essential services including grocery, vegetables, fruits, medical stores, milk parlors and bakeries will remain open. Similarly industries, manufacturing units and construction activities will remain open with SOPs. The new restrictions will remain in force till 5th May.

-Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke to his Odisha counterpart Navin Patnaik and discussed supply of oxygen. Kumar said the Odisha CM has assured all cooperation in this regard. Bihar Chief Minister has asked health department officials to convert IGIMS, Patna into Covid dedicated hospital.Meanwhile, fresh cases of Covid-19 continue to rise rapidly. Record number of 12 thousand 604 fresh cases were reported in the state on Tuesday. 136 deaths were also reported. With this, casualties due to the pandemic has gone upto 2,307. Positivity rate has gone upto over 12 percent. Maximum positive cases of 1, 837 were reported from Patna followed by 769 in Gaya.Active cases in the state have gone upto 94 thousand 275 and they are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. Recovery rate is decreasing and it is now at 77.43 percent. Over three lakh 31 thousand patients have so far recovered from infection. 75,643 people took vaccine on Tuesday. Over 68 lakh 49 thousand 176 people have so far been vaccinated in the state.

-India’s Organic food products exports rose by more than 50 per cent in terms of value in 2020-21 despite COVID-19 challenges. Commerce and Industry Ministry said, in terms of quantity, the exports of organic food products grew by 39 per cent to eight lakh 88 thousand metric tonne during last financial year compared to 2019-20.The growth in organic products has been achieved despite logistical and operational challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic. The Ministry said, oil cake meal has been a major commodity of the organic product exports from the country followed by oil seeds, cereals and millets, tea, medicinal plant products and dry fruits.India’s organic products have been exported to 58 countries including USA, European Union, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Switzerland, Israel, South Korea.