Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Home Blog Page 1378

Parliament passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill

Opposition parties
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): Parliament today passed the crucial Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2020, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserting that the government is committed to protect the right and security of every home buyer.

The Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 6, was approved by Rajya Sabha today.

Replying to a debate on the legislation, the Finance Minister said the amendments brought in by the government are a mechanism to incorporate viable changes in the legislation.

“As on January 1, 2020 out of around 43,000 cases disposed off by National Company Law Tribunal, nearly 15,000 cases were resolved based on Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code,” she said.

Speaking on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME, Sitharaman said the banks have been asked to pay dues to stakeholders in order to maintain the liquidity.

Earlier, moving the bill, Finance Minister said, it is the necessity of the time to amend the present bill to keep pace with the development across the globe.

The IBC Bill came into force in 2016, has already been amended thrice.

Govt advises against conducting IPL amid coronavirus

New Delhi (NVI): In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the government has advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against conducting the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) slated to start from March 29, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said today.
While stating this, Dammu Ravi, Additional Secretary in the MEA said it was ultimately for the organisers to decide.
“Our advice would be to not do it at this time but if they want to go ahead, it is their decision,” he said at a media briefing here when asked whether holding of IPL would be feasible in view of coronavirus outbreak since a number of foreign players also participate.
“I think it is for the organisers to decide whether to go ahead with it or not,” Ravi said.
The IPL is scheduled to commence from March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The MEA also informed that India has received request for help from four countries for providing masks and protective gears because of coronavirus outbreak.
“We have received requests from Bhutan, Iran, Maldives and Italy for assistance with masks and protective gears. We are processing these request,” External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at the media briefing.
In February, India sent a consignment to China, he recalled.

Rashtrapati Bhavan closed from tmrw

Envoys of 4 nations present credentials
Rashtrapati Bhawan

New Delhi (NVI): In the view of the rapid spread of coronavirus disease, Rashtrapati Bhavan closed all the public visits from tomorrow. 

“As a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19 novel Coronavirus, the Rashtrapati Bhavan will remain closed for exploratory tour visits from tomorrow, March 13, till further notice,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a communiqué here.

 The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex (RBMC) and the Change of Guard ceremony will also remain closed for the public till further notice, the statement added. 

J&K: 2 youths prevented from joining militancy, says Police

Kashmir terror attack
Representational Image

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Two youths from south Kashmir have been prevented from joining militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, the police said today.

The duo, hailing from Tral and Awantipora areas, was planning to join militant ranks, they said. 

“Acting on a specific input, police in Awantipora were able to prevent two youth from joining the militant ranks. These youths had been indoctrinated and were influenced by the false narratives,” said a spokesman.

Awantipora police counselled the youth in presence of their family members thereby preventing them from joining the militant ranks, the spokesman said adding that both the youths were handed over to their family members.

Last month, Jammu and Kashmir police had arrested a class 10 student and prevented him from joining militancy in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

COVID-19: PM urges people not to panic, avoid non-essential travel

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged people not to panic due to coronavirus scare and rather focus on taking precautions to combat the spread of the pandemic in the country. He also urged people to avoid all non-essential travel while adding that no ministers of the Central Government will travel abroad in the upcoming days, as a precautionary measure.

The Prime Minister expressed his concern on the matter via Twitter even as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Health Ministry held separate media briefings on the outbreak.

“The Government is fully vigilant about the situation due to COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Across ministries & states, multiple steps have been proactively taken to ensure safety of all. These steps are wide-ranging, from suspension of Visas to augmenting healthcare capacities,” he tweeted.

The PM also urged people to avoid large gatherings. “Say No to Panic, Say Yes to Precautions. No Minister of the Central Government will travel abroad in the upcoming days. I urge our countrymen to also avoid non-essential travel. We can break the chain of spread and ensure safety of all by avoiding large gatherings,” he said in another tweet.

As per the latest data released by the Health Ministry, 73 coronavirus cases have been reported in the country. With COVID-19 been declared as pandemic by WHO now, India has suspended all visas, except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment, till April 15.

Cinema halls, schools, colleges to remain shut in Delhi till Mar 31: CM

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): All cinema halls in Delhi will remain shut till March 31 as a measure to prevent coronavirus from spreading, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said today. Schools and colleges where exams are not being held will also remain closed, he said.

Moreover, the Delhi CM also added that as a precautionary measure to control coronavirus spread, all the public places in Delhi will be disinfected. Vacant flats owned by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board will be used for quarantine purpose, he told mediapersons here.

Meanwhile, the number of people affected by coronavirus in the country has risen to 73, with Kerala having the highest number of cases at 17.

In the wake of the deadly outbreak, India has suspended all visas, except a few categories such as diplomatic and employment, till April 15.

COVID-19: Sensex crashes 2,919 points

New Delhi (NVI): A day after WHO termed coronavirus as Pandemic, Indian equity markets went on a free-fall as Sensex slumped 2,919 points and Nifty ended at 9,590 points, suffering their biggest single-day selloff.

Sensex tanked 2,919 points or 8.18 per cent to close 32,778; while NSE Nifty plummetted 868 points or 8.30 to settle at 9,590.

Today’s fall in the markets has further hurt investor sentiment amid coronavirus scare that has taken a toll on the world economy.

The rupee also suffered due to the situation as it plunged 82 paise to 74.35 against US dollar in early trade.

Oil prices also extended losses, with crude benchmark trading at $32.14 per barrel, down 2.5%.

COVID-19 may cost world economy up to USD 2 trillion: UNDP

New Delhi (NVI): Coronavirus is not just a global health emergency, it’s a development emergency as it could cost the world economy up to USD 2 trillion and affect Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has said.

“It’s estimated that the epidemic could cost the world economy US$2 trillion. Epidemics can be reversed, but only with the highest level of political commitment,” UNDP said in a statement.

Coronavirus has shocked the world with the agility and speed of its spread. Since it emerged in humans in China late last year, it has raced around the globe, killing more than four thousand people, sickening more than 1,13,000, and prompting travel bans and lockdowns.

WHO has asked the international community for US$675 million to fight the virus and the United Nations has dedicated US$15 million to fund essential activities such as monitoring the spread of the virus, investigating cases and supporting national laboratories, it said.

International gatherings and sports events have been cancelled, more than 290 million children are not in school, and markets are reeling. In some countries, tourism, a vital occupation for many, has virtually stopped and we are seeing famous cultural landmarks as never before—almost empty, the UNDP said in its report.

Medical team being sent to Italy to test Indians: Jaishankar in LS

New Delhi (NVI): As the number of coronavirus patients in India rose to 73, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Lok Sabha today that COVID-19 outbreak is a “matter of concern” and needs to be responded to responsibly.

The Foreign Minister also said that a medical team is being sent to Italy to test Indians for the viral infection. Those testing negative will be allowed to travel, he said while briefing the lower House of the Parliament on the latest coronavirus situation.

Jaishankar had yesterday informed Rajya Sabha on COVID-19 situation while asserting that the Central Government is committed for safety, security of Indians in Iran. 58 Indian nationals were evacuated from the coronavirus-hit country on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases reported in India rose to 73, with 13 fresh cases, including 9 from Maharashtra and 1 each from Delhi, Ladakh and Uttar Pradesh, and one foreign national.

While speaking on the pandemic in Lok Sabha today, Jaishankar said that the initial focus of the Government is to bring back Indian pilgrims stranded in Iran. The nature of their residency also increases the risks of exposure to the coronavirus, he said.

“Along with the pilgrims, the Ministry is also in regular contact with the Indian students in Iran,” Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar further informed that around 6,000 Indians are stranded in Iran, including 1,100 pilgrims from Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir.

The Union Minister added, “Given the scale of COVID -19 infection and its pressure on Iran’s own resources, a team of six Indian health officials has been deputed to Iran in order to set up testing and sampling facilities there. The first batch of 108 samples were received in India on 7 March. These were tested and 58 Indian pilgrims (25 men, 31 women and 2 children), who tested negative, were repatriated in special IAF C-17 flight on 10 March. ”

Jaishankar had also visited Srinagar earlier this week and met parents of some of the students who are stuck in Iran. He also shared with them in detail the ground situation and sought their understanding.

Jaishankar also spoke about the region where most of the members from fishermen community are located, mostly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

“As a country whose citizens are spread across the world, this is a matter of utmost concern. At the same time, it is absolutely essential that people react responsibly and soberly,” the External Affairs Minister added.

Jaishankar said, “Meanwhile, the situation in Italy is also emerging as a cause of great concern. The Ministry has decided to make provisions for testing primarily for students/compassionate cases in Italy and collect samples for testing.”

“A medical team is being sent to Italy. Those tested negative will be allowed to travel and will be quarantined on arrival in India for 14 days. The challenge is growing by the day in Europe and we will respond accordingly,” Jaishankar said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic with more than 118,000 confirmed cases and 4,291 deaths in 114 countries.

One more person tests positive for coronavirus in Ladakh

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): One more person has tested positive for coronavirus in Ladakh today, taking the total number of reported cases in the Union Territory to three.

Confirming the development, Commissioner Secretary Rigzin Samphel said one more person has been tested positive. His father was already infected with the novel coronavirus.

He said, “We received his reports today and it has come positive.”

“All the persons have been kept in isolation,” Samphel added.

On March 8, an elderly Iran-returned patient died at Sonam Norbu Hospital in Leh after he suffered from some respiratory issues.

Medical Superintendent SN Hospital, Dr Tsering Samphel had said that the patient had recently travelled to Iran and was admitted with complaints of urinary incontinence and respiratory issues.

A 63-year-old woman who recently returned from Iran was tested positive for coronavirus in Jammu.

In Jammu & Kashmir, 1,211 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under active surveillance; 150 of these have completed surveillance period of 28 days while as 12 are undergoing hospital quarantine.

64 samples of suspected cases have been sent for testing so far; 28 have reported negative, 01 has tested positive and report of 35 is still awaited.

1...1,3771,3781,379...1,592Page 1,378 of 1,592

MUST READ