NEW DELHI: In a big push to revive the economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a Rs 20 lakh crore package, which combined the government’s recent announcements on supporting key sectors as also measures rolled out by the Reserve Bank of India. In a televised address to the nation, the PM said the details about fourth phase of the lockdown will be made known before May 18, adding it will be different from the earlier phases. A total of 70,756 coronavirus cases and 2,293 deaths have been reported across the country.
Here are the top developments:
1
India
- In his fifth address to the nation on Covid-19 pandemic, PM Modi said the goal of the country will be to become self-reliant, and identified economy and infrastructure as key drivers for it.
- India can now do one lakh Covid-19 tests per day, said Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan while interacting with senior officials of various districts of Jammu and Kashmir over coronavirus via video-conferencing. The minister also said that the country’s Covid-19 mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world with 3.2 per cent.
- The ICMR announced that it is conducting a community-based sero-survey to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Indian population.
- PM Modi approved ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the 16 migrant labourers who were run over by a goods train in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad on May 8.
- Filling up of a detailed questionnaire related to COVID-19, carrying no cabin baggage, using Aarogya Setu app and reaching airport at least two hours before a flight departure are among the suggested requirements for air passengers during the initial phase after resumption of commercial flights.
- A total of 6,037 Indians have been flown back to India in 31 inbound flights operated by Air India and Air India Express under Vande Bharat Missio