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COVID second wave triggers raft of growth forecast revisions: RBI annual report

The pandemic, it added, ”is the biggest risk to this outlook. Yet, upsides also stem from the capex push by the government, rising capacity utilisation and the turnaround in capital goods imports.” RBI further said that a collective global effort to fight the pandemic will surely bring better results than individual countries fighting on their own.

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NGT asks govt to issue SOP to states on environment norms in construction projects

NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said,”Since we are coming across the grievance of continuous violation of environment norms in construction projects being completed without prior environmental clearance and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities(SEIAA) , Maharashtra is neither requiring demolition nor payment of assessed compensation to comply with the rule of law and protection of environment, it will be appropriate to require the SEIAA, Maharashtra to review its working in the light of the judgments of the Supreme Court.

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HC seeks to know steps BMC is taking to tackle rising COVID-19 cases among kids

The bench, which was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations seeking proper management of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, asked if the BMC had also made arrangements for the safety of the caregivers or parents accompanying such children.

”Yes, we make safety arrangements for the parents or caregivers to stay in the hospital with the children whenever required. They (parents/caregivers) will also need to be vaccinated,” Sakhre said.

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India faced 117 cyclones from 1970-2019, over 40,000 lives lost: Study

“Overall, the analysis showed that the mortality rate associated with tropical cyclones decreased by almost 88 per cent in the last decade (2010–2019) in comparison to the earlier decade (2000–2009) despite the significant increasing trend of severe tropical cyclones during the post-monsoon season over Bay of Bengal,” the paper states.

India Meteorological Department Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra said the reasons for fatalities during cyclones have changed over the years with improvement in IMD’s forecast abilities.

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India witnessing downswing in second wave of COVID-19 cases: Govt

On Pfizer seeking indemnity, Paul said, ”Yes we are engaged with Pfizer and they have indicated the availability of a certain amount of vaccine in the coming months, possibly starting in July and we are looking at what their expectations from the government are and they are looking at what our expectations from them are.

“They have requested indemnity to all the nations including the country of origin. We are examining this request and will take a decision in the larger interest of people and on merits. This is under discussion and there is no decision as of now,” Paul said.

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MHA orders continuation of Covid guidelines till June-end; asks states to focus on local curb strategy

In a fresh order, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said strict implementation of containment and other measures has led to a declining trend in the number of new and active cases, across states and union territories, barring some areas in the southern and northeastern regions.

According to the guidelines, the home ministry told the states to take necessary action to ensure sufficient oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators, ambulances including creation of makeshift hospitals, oxygen, as needed, besides sufficient quarantine facilities.

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