TN extends lockdown till Jun 14 with some relaxations

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has said every day is an environment day for India. He said trees, animals, and birds have always been revered in India.Speaking at a function on the world environment day, Javadekar said that India is one of the few countries where forest cover has actually increased in the last decade. He said the forest and tree cover in the country has reached 24.56 per cent of the geographic area which is spread over eight lakh square kilometres. He said, India has increased its forest and tree cover by 15 thousand square kilometres in the last six years.He urther said, substantial increase in the population of big cats in the last seven years reflects the Government's commitment towards conservation of wildlife and environment. Every year on 5th of June, people around the globe observe World Environment Day to raise awareness about the importance of nature and to inspire positive change towards the environment.

-Paddy and wheat procurement from the farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) has set new records. In the ongoing Kharif Marketing season, over 805 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured by the government agencies registering an increase of nearly 10 per cent compared to the procurements in corresponding period last year. Procurement of wheat in the ongoing Rabi Marketing Season of 2021-22 has also surpassed all previous records. With astounding procurement of nearly 414 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, an increase of over 12 per cent has been witnessed compared to the corresponding period last year. Central Food and Public Distribution Ministry has informed that these procurements have benefitted over one crore 65 lakh farmers in the country with MSP payments of around two lakh 33 thousand crore rupees to them. The government agencies have also procured over seven lakh 51 thousand Metric Tonnes of Pulses and Oilseeds on MSP so far, in the current Rabi and Kharif Marketing Season.

-Tamilnadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has extended the lock down period with some relaxations. As the lock down announced earlier ends on 7th, the relaxed guidelines will be implemented from Monday to June 14.The Government has announced separate guidelines in eleven districts where Covid count is still a concern. More relaxations have been announced for other districts.  The new guidelines says,stand alone shops other than textiles and Jewelry have been allowed to function from morning 6 to evening 5  O'clock. Pavement shops and Fish markets will be allowed in open spaces. All government offices are allowed to function with 30 percent attendance. House keeping services, Electricians, plumbers , motor technicians ,carpenters. Rental taxies and autos will be allowed with e registration.  Permission from District authorities will be needed for emergency travel to Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri and Kutralam. Ten percent workers in Export companies will be allowed for limited activities. Push cart vendors will be allowed to sell vegetables and fruits in coordination with the local administration.

-The Centre has assured safe potable tap water by next year in every household of North Western States and Union Territories of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission will be expedited in these States and UTs and every rural household will be provided with tap water connections by the end of 2022. Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has approved Central allocation of over eight thousand 200 crore rupees in the current financial year for expediting the work in these States & UTs. The allocation is more than four times of the allocation given to these States and UTs in the last financial year.

-Indian Railways is continuously engaged in delivery of Liquid Medical Oxygen to various States and Union Territories. The Railway Ministry has said that Oxygen Express trains have delivered over 25 thousand metric tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen across the country so far. The oxygen has been transported by one thousand 503 tankers.The Ministry said that 368 Oxygen Express trains have completed their journey and brought relief to various States and Union Territories. It said, seven Oxygen Expresses carrying more than 482 metric tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen in 30 tankers are on run at present. The Ministry said that oxygen relief by Oxygen Expresses reached out to 15 states.