Farmers reach Delhi

The farmers from Punjab, protesting against the Centre’s controversial farm laws, reached Delhi on 27th November. After more than five hours of confrontation between the police and farmers, the former were instructed to let the farmers in.

The “Delhi Chalo” protests are being organized by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee and various other outfits of Bharatiya Kisan Union. The farmers planned to reach Delhi through five highways connecting the national capital.

In Haryana, the police authorities used water canons and tear gas to disperse the farmers but failed to do so. The farmers in retaliation broke the barricades that were installed by the forces and threw many of them in the river. Reports of firing tear gas and water cannons were also reported in several parts of Delhi on the 27th. Few farmers were also reported to be injured and rushed to a nearby hospital on the border point known as Singhu. 

The farmers marched towards Delhi in tractors. Delhi administration has tightened the security at the border. It had deployed barricades with barbed wires and loaded trucks with sand in order to avoid the entry of farmers in the national capital. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has suspended all its metro services from the neighboring cities to the national capital. Air India has announced free rescheduling of flights for those who will be affected by the traffic disruption at the borders of the NCR. 

Source: Indian Express | NDTV 

Free COVID vaccine, high speed wifi, free water, BJP promises Hyderabad

Free water, free electricity, free COVID vaccine, high-speed wifi for economically disadvantaged kids and free tablet PCs are some of the key promises being made by the national party in its manifesto for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation polls. The manifesto was released by the party on 26th November.

The party has also promised to celebrate the “Mukti Diwas”, as a day to celebrate the annexation of Hyderabad into the Indian state. The manifesto also promises free travel to women in the metro and buses. Rejuvenation of Musi river and development or riverfront from central funds also finds a place in the manifesto.

The national party also promises to provide Rs. 25,000 as relief money to families affected due to recent flash floods in the city. 

The polls are scheduled to be held on December 1st with results being announced on December 4. 1825 candidates will be contesting from 150 municipal divisions in the city. 

Source: The Indian Express 

AstraZeneca might run new trial on COVID-19 vaccine, cases continue to rise across the country 

After AstraZeneca admitted to a manufacturing error, the company might run a new trial on its vaccine against COVID-19. On the other hand, India’s COVID-19 tally of active cases continues to rise.

As of 26th November, Karnataka reported 1505 new cases, 1464 in Tamil Nadu, 1668 in Madhya Pradesh, 6406 in Maharashtra and 1560 new cases were reported in Gujarat. Mumbai International Airport Limited has created a separate zone for the domestic passengers arriving from Rajasthan, Delhi, Goa and Gujarat to undergo the RT-PCR test at the airport.

The Delhi government is also considering imposing the night curfew in the city for the next three to four days after the High Court left it on the government to take a call on the issue of night curfew. 

Source: The Times of India 

Dehradun administration orders shopkeepers to follow weekend shutdown  

After reporting the highest number of cases from Uttarakhand for months, the Dehradun administration has ordered shopkeepers to strictly follow the weekend shutdown protocol. The administration had allowed only essential services to operate during the weekends, but observed that several shops were violating the rule. 20,426 COVID-19 cases have been reported from Dehradun so far, the highest in the state.

For those violating the weekend shutdown, action will be taken by the district administration under the Epidemics Act and Disaster Management Act, said the order. 

Source: Hindustan Times 

3000 weddings scheduled in Jaipur, same number of COVID-19 cases in city! 

As the pink city reported more than 3000 cases for four straight days, the city is all set to witness the same number of weddings which will be organized in the coming few days. The sudden surge in cases has put authorities under a lot of pressure; furthermore these weddings are now a cause of concern for the authorities. The markets are flooded with people shopping for weddings and other events.

The district administration has permitted these events and has marked 25th, 27th and 30th November as the important dates. The administration has also urged families to keep the number of events limited and avoid mass gatherings on the streets. Almost 70% of the ICU and general beds are now occupied in the city.   

Source: NDTV 

Shimla administration imposes further restrictions 

Amidst the growing number of cases in the tourist city, the district administration has taken a number of measures to the check the spread of the virus. People will not be allowed to eat outside, only takeaways will be allowed; only 50% people to be allowed as per the hall capacity in the events; social gatherings have been reduced to 50 members; food is to be served in disposable cutlery, according to the measures announced by the administration.

RAT tests must be conducted for catering staff and the event organizer will also have to submit an undertaking regarding the testing of catering staff to the district administration. The Station House Officer will also visit the venue to see and check if the measures are in place and proper precautions are being taken by the organizer. 

Source: Hindustan Times 

Compiled by Rishabh Shrivastava