(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours, inputs from PIB Field Offices and Fact checks undertaken by PIB)

India sustains trend of consistent low level of Active Cases, For the 10th successive day, Active Cases below 10 lakh mark, India's total Recoveries nearly 53 lakh, The last 10 lakh recoveries added in just 12 days

India has sustained its trend of maintaining the active cases below the 10 lakh mark. For the 10^th successive day, the active cases are less than 1 million (10 lakhs). With a very high number of COVID patients recovering every single day, India’s steady trend of posting high level of daily recoveries also continues. 85,376 recoveries have been registered in the last 24 hours in the country. India’s total recoveries stands at 52,73,201 today. Higher number of single day recoveries have resulted in continuous increase in the national recovery rate, which is currently pegged at 83.53%. The rise in total recovered cases has been steep. The last 10 lakh recoveries were added in just 12 days. 77% of the total recovered cases are recorded in 10 States/UTs. Maharashtra has contributed the highest number to the total recovered cases followed by Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The active cases in India are 9,40,705. India reported 9.4 lakh active cases earlier on 11^th September, 2020. 76% of the active cases are in 10 States/UTs. As on date, the active cases contribute only 14.90% to the positive caseload of the country.  A total of 86,821 new confirmed cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country. 76% of the new cases are concentrated in ten states. Maharashtra contributed more than 18,000 to the new cases. Karnataka and Kerala, both contributed more than 8,000. 1,181 deaths have been registered in the past 24 hours. 82% of new deaths are reported from 10 States and UTs.  40% of deaths reported yesterday are from Maharashtra with 481 deaths followed by Karnataka with 87 deaths.

For details :

Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) on International Day for Older Persons

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare restated commitment of the Government to healthy ageing today on the occasion of International Day for Older Persons. Every year, 1st October is celebrated as the International Day of Older Persons, as declared by United Nations, to recognize, enable and expand the contributions of older people in their families, communities and societies at large and to raise awareness towards issues of ageing. Dr. Harsh Vardhan spoke of the National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly which is aimed to deliver comprehensive, affordable and quality geriatric care services at primary and secondary levels; “outpatient services from district hospital to health & wellness centres, minimum 10 bedded geriatric wards at all district hospitals, rehabilitation services down to CHC and HWC level and developing mechanisms for providing home based care to needy elderly.” The Union Health Minister also stated that as 1^st October, 2020 is the launch year of Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030), many activities will be undertaken throughout the year, aimed at mainstreaming issues related to elderly and to deliberate upon ways to ensure better and effective delivery of services, making full use of convergence mechanisms. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also spoke on the emergence of COVID-19 as a public health challenge which has caused an upheaval across the country and the world. The UN theme of the International Day of Older Persons 2020 is “Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?”. Considering the higher risks faced by elderly during the outbreak of pandemics such as COVID-19, Government has responded to address their concerns by recognising them as vulnerable population category for COVID efforts, issuing advisories, raising awareness of their special needs, encouraging State Governments to develop need-based models for delivery of medications and home-based care to the elderly.

For details :

MHA issues new Guidelines for Re-opening, Strict enforcement of lockdown in Containment Zones till 31st October 2020

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines yesterday, for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. In these guidelines, which will come into effect from today, the process of re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments. Activities permitted from 15^th October 2020, in areas outside the Containment Zones include: Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes will be permitted to open with upto 50% of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted to open, for which, SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce, Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons will be permitted to open, for which the SOPs will be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Entertainment parks and similar places will be permitted to open, for which the SOP will be issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after 15^th October 2020, in a graded manner. The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other based on their assessment of the situation. Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only. Now State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones, after 15^th October 2020.State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing. The use of AarogyaSetu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.

For details :

GST taxpayers get relief in implementation of e-invoice

The Government had in December 2019 prescribed that the GST Taxpayers having aggregate annual turnover more than Rs. 100 crore in any preceding Financial Year will be required to issue e-invoice for all the Business to Business (B2B) supplies, w.e.f. 1^st April 2020. In March 2020, the date of implementation of e-invoice was extended to 1^st October 2020. Keeping in view the hardships faced by the taxpayers due to COVID-19 lockdown, in July 2020, it was further prescribed that the taxpayers having aggregate turnover of Rs. 500 crore and above only would be required to issue e-invoice w.e.f. 1^st October 2020.It has been reported that even after more than 9 months of the first notification in this regard, some of these taxpayers having aggregate turnover of Rs. 500 crore and above are still not ready. Accordingly, as a last chance, in the initial phase of implementation of e-invoice, it has been decided that the invoices issued by such taxpayers during October 2020 without following the manner prescribed under rule 48(4), shall be deemed to be valid and the penalty leviable under section 122 of the CGST Act, 2017, for such non-adherence to provisions, shall stand waived if the Invoice Reference Number (IRN) for such invoices is obtained from the Invoice Reference Portal (IRP) within 30 days of date of invoice.

For details :

About 30 crore mandays employment provided and more than Rs 27,000 crore spent so far in the pursuit of objectives of the GaribKalyanRojgarAbhiyaan

GaribKalyanRojgarAbhiyaan (GKRA) is taking action on mission mode to provide employment to migrant workers who have returned to their native villages of 6 states namely Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The Abhiyaan is now empowering villagers with livelihood opportunities in 116 districts of these states.By the 13th week, a total of about 30 crore mandays employment has been provided and Rs 27,003 crore has been spent so far in the pursuit of objectives of the Abhiyaan. A large number of structures have been created including 1,14,344 water conservation structures, 3,65,075 rural houses, 27,446 cattle shed, 19,527 farm ponds, and 10,446 Community Sanitary Complex. 6727 works have been taken up through District Mineral Funds, 1,662 Gram Panchayat have been provided internet connectivity, a total of 17,508 works related to solid and liquid waste management undertaken, and 54,455 candidates have been provided skill training through KrishiVigyan Kendras (KVKs) during the Abhiyaan.

For details :

Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi appeals to all Village Sarpanchs& Gram Pradhans to continue their efforts towards effective implementation of JalJeevan Mission in villages to provide tap water to every home, especially poor communities

Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi reached out to all Sarpanchs/ Gram Pradhans of the country through a letter dated 29^th September, 2020 for more effective implementation of the JalJeevan Mission (JJM). The goal of the Mission - HarGharJal can be fully realized with the help of all Sarpanch/ Pradhan/ village community leaders as they play a pivotal role in its implementation. Prime Minister mentioned how the contribution made by people for this missions’ success is creating history. Through this mission, the issue of water supply will not only be addressed, but will also help in tackling water-borne diseases like cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, encephalitis, typhoid, etc. Also, when the livestock is provided with safe and clean water, it not only improves their health but plays a critical role in improving their productivity, thus enhancing income of families. Prime Minister appealed to people and Gram Panchayats to make JalJeevan Mission a people’s movement.Shri Modi has hoped that all possible steps will be taken by the Sarpanch in the village to keep every member in the Gram Panchayat safe from Corona virus by maintaining the physical distance of six feet and compulsory use of masks. The Prime Minister wished everyone good health and safety.

For details :

Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches CSIR Technologies for rural development under the joint initiative of IIT Delhi, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan,VijnanaBharti and CSIR

The Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan yesterday launched CSIR Technologies for rural development under a joint initiative of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) and VijnanaBharti (VIBHA). The event was organized through online platform on the occasion of CSIR-NISTADS 40^th Foundation Day. Minister also released CSIR-NISTADS e-Compendium and e-Coffee Table Book, on the occasion. A tripartite MoU to this effect was signed by the three parties on 28th July 2020 at CSIR to work jointly for post-COVID fast track action plan to create livelihood opportunities in rural areas, particularly for the people who have returned to their native villages in the lockdown period. Dr. Harsh Vardhan expressed his confidence that “the agencies known for its knowledge, grassroot presence and technical competency, like IIT Delhi, VIBHA and their joining hands with CSIR can prove to be very useful for deployment of indigenously developed technologies by CSIR in rural areas”.

For details :

Shri ThaawarchandGehlot e-launches “Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation Mission under Venture Capital fund for SCs(ASIIM)”

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri ThaawarchandGehlote-launched the “Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM) under Venture Capital Fund for SCs” through Video Conferencing yesterday. It will promote innovation and enterprise among SC students studying in higher educational institutions. Speaking   on the occasion, Shri Gehlot said under ASIIMinitiative, 1,000 SC youth would be identified in the next 4 years with start-up ideas through the Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in various higher educational institutions. They will be funded @ Rs. 30 lakhs in 3 years as equity funding so that they can translate their start-up ideas into commercial ventures. Successful ventures would further qualify for venture funding of up to Rs. 5 Crore from the Venture Capital Fund for SCs. The Minister said that this initiative under VCF-SC will promote innovation in the SC youth and would help them to become job-givers from job-seekers; and would further give fillip to the ‘Stand Up India’ initiative of the Prime Minister PM Shri NarendraModi. The ASIIM initiative will be implemented by the Venture Capital Fund for SCs (VCF-SCs) which was set up in 2016 with the Fund size of Rs. 500 Cr. Since its inception, VCF-SC has sanctioned financial assistance to 118 companies to the tune of Rs. 444.14 crore.

For details :

Union Minister DrJitendra Singh inaugurates 23 Roads and Bridges projects in Kathua, Doda, Udhampur and Reasi Districts

The Union Minister of State (I/C), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, DrJitendra Singh yesterday unveiled 23 roads and bridges projects in Kathua, Doda, Udhampur and Reasi districts in the Jammu region. He said, the projects costing about Rs. 73 Crore and having length of 111 kilometers will benefit more than 35,000 people in the region. 23 Projects included 15 roads built under PMGSY for all weather connectivity and 8 bridges for better connectivity to the people. While e-inaugurating these projects, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that despite serious challenges posed by the Covid19 pandemic in the last few months, barring few all the projects were completed within stipulated timeframe. He emphasised that despite challenges posed by pandemic, the country had not compromised with the pace of development and particularly the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. He was informed that 1150 kilometers of roads built in this fiscal till date in comparison to 800 kilometers last year.

For details :

Closing ceremony of the 3rd RashtriyaPoshanMaah held

The closing ceremony of the 3rd RashtriyaPoshanMaah which was celebrated from 7th - 30th September this year was held today through virtual mode. Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, being the nodal Ministry for POSHAN Abhiyaan, coordinated the celebration of the PoshanMaah in convergence with partner Ministries and departments, at National, States/UTs, Districts, and grass root level. Identification of Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) Children and their management and plantation of PoshanVaatikas- Nutri gardens, were undertaken as focus activities during the PoshanMaah, along with awareness generation regarding importance of early breast feeding, need for good nutrition during first 1000 days of life, measures for reducing anaemia in young women and children etc.Addressing the webinar organized to mark the occasion, Union Minister of State for Women & Child Development,SushriDebasreeChaudhuri appreciated the celebration of the PoshanMaah while observing adherence to Covid-19 guidelines. She said that while the Covid pandemic has posed many challenges to promoting maternal and child nutrition, growth monitoring and detection of malnutrition, frontline workers have not only risen to the occasion to provide essential services but also observed PoshanMaah 2020.

For details :

Best time to invest in Pharma& Medical device sector in India; likely to grow to 65-billion-dollar industry by 2024: Shri Gowda

Union minister For Chemicals and Fertilizers , Shri Gowda has said that this is the best time to invest in Pharma& Medical device sector in India as It is likely to grow in to 65-billion-dollar industry by 2024 to 120 billion dollars by 2030.He said, business friendly reforms carried out by Government have helped India to emerge as one of the best investment destinations among emerging economies. Implementation of policies to promote financial inclusion and to check corruption and easing of compliance of labour laws & regulations has made India the best destination for investment. In 2018-19, India attracted FDI inflows of 73 billion dollar, up 18 % from previous year.

For details :

Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh integrated today with existing national portability cluster under One Nation One Ration Card Scheme

Two more States, Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradeshhave been integrated today with existing national portability cluster of 26 States/UTsunder One Nation One Ration Card.The necessary preparatory activities to integrate these States with the national cluster i.e. upgradation of ePoS software, integration with central IM-PDS and Annavitran portals, availability of ration cards/beneficiaries data in Central Repository, requisite testing of national portability transactions, etc. have already been completed in these two States.With this, a total of 28 States/UTs are now seamlessly connected with each other under the One Nation One Ration Card plan. Migratory PDS beneficiaries in these 28 States/UTs can access their subsidised foodgrains at the same Scale and Central Issue Prices from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice w.e.f. 1^st October 2020.

For details :

₹ 95,480 croregross GST revenue collected in September

The gross GST revenue collected in the month of September, 2020 is ₹ 95,480 crore of which CGST is ₹ 17,741 crore, SGST is ₹ 23,131 crore, IGST is ₹ 47,484 crore (including ₹ 22,442 crore collected on import of goods) and Cess is ₹7,124 crore (including ₹ 788 crore collected on import of goods).The revenues for the month are 4% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year. During the month, the revenues from import of goods were 102% and the revenues from domestic transaction (including import of services) were 105 % of the revenues from these sources during the same month last year.

For details :

AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package – Progress So Far

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi on May 12^th, 2020, announced the Special economic and comprehensive package of Rs. 20 lakh crore - equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP – to fight COVID-19 pandemic in India. He gave a clarion call for AatmaNirbhar Bharat or Self-Reliant India Movement. He also outlined five pillars of AatmaNirbhar Bharat – Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography and Demand.Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. NirmalaSitharaman laid down the details of the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package in a string of press conferences from 13^th May to 17^th May 2020.The Ministries of Finance & Corporate Affairs have immediately started implementation of the announcements related to the Economic Package under AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package (ANBP).Smt.NirmalaSitharamantoday reviewed the progress pertaining to Ministries of Finance & Corporate Affairs.

For details :

INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Kerala: The State government has decided to field more gazetted officers, with special executive magistrate powers, to take stern measures for countering the rampant Covid-19 spread. Officers from departments other than the police, local bodies and health are being deployed. To be known as 'Sector Magistrate and COVID Sentinel', these officers will be assigned to panchayats and municipalities with a high number of cases. Meanwhile, more containment measures have been adopted in Ernakulam district, which witnessed over 1000 daily cases. With one more fatality in Kannur today, the Covid death toll has touched 743. The daily count of Covid-19 patients soared past 8000 as Kerala recorded 8830 cases yesterday. 67,061 people are currently undergoing treatment and a total of 2.40 lakh people are under observation across the state.
• Tamil Nadu:Covid-19 data from T.N., A.P. may provide insights into epidemiology and transmission dynamics for low-resource regions; researchers who published the paper in the journal ‘Science’ used surveillance, contact-tracing data to study transmission and epidemiology. Hindu Munnani founder Rama Gopalan dies of Covid. TN’s tally of Covid-19 cases moved closer to the six-lakh mark on Wednesday, as 5,659 persons tested positive for the infection; State recorded 67 deaths; with 1,295 cases, Chennai’s tally increases to 1,67,376.
• Karnataka: In an effort to curb the spread of Covid 19, the State government has decided to impose Rs 1000 fine for those who do not cover their mouth and nose with mask; currently the penalty is Rs200. In nearly seven months after recording its first Covid case, State reached the six lakh mark and hit 6,01,767 positive cases on Wednesday. Department of primary and secondary education department has decided not to allow high school and pre-university course students to visit their school or college campus till October 15.  
• Andhra Pradesh: The state cabinet meet scheduled for today has been postponed to Oct 8.  One of the reasons for the postponement of the cabinet is, Endowments Minister VellampalliSrinivas was tested positive for corona after participating in the recent TirumalaBrahmotsavams. The total number of samples tested in the State crossed the 58 lakh-mark.  The recoveries, on the brighter side, continue to be more than the new cases, bringing down the active cases to less than 59,000. East Godavari district authorities have de-notified 17 private hospitals in the district allowing for treating non-Covid cases.
• Telangana: 2214 new cases, 2474 recoveries & 08 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; out of 2214 cases, 305 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 1,93,600; Active cases: 29,326; Deaths: 1127; Discharges :1,60,933. Telangana plans to use AI-driven drones in farming: A novel experiment to test the efficacy of drones using artificial intelligence to identify crops, pests and later spray pesticides or fertilizer, began in Karimnagar district.
• Maharashtra: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday said that the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) disease has been extended till October 31.  However, hotels, food courts, restaurants and bars will be allowed to operate from October 5^th, with 50% capacity.  Mumbai’s famed Dabbawalas, who provide tiffin service to several working people have.now been permitted to travel by local trains.
• Gujarat: The Gujarat Government has directed private schools in the state to cut annual school fees by 25% for the 2020-21 academic year, in view of Covid pandemic.  The move will benefit nearly 30 lakh parents of school going children at 20,000 schools in the state.
• Rajasthan: 2,173 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Rajasthan during the past 24 hours taking the case count past 1.35 lakhs. Highest number of cases on Wednesday were from Jaipur (408 cases), followed by Jodhpur (336 cases) and then Bikaner (139 cases).   1,953 people were discharged after recovery.  The total number of active Covid cases in the state now stands at 20,581.
• Madhya Pradesh: Online classes have started in government colleges related to the Higher Education Department from today. On the other hand, State election officials have asked political parties to ensure that they follow the guidelines issued by the Commission regarding COVID-19 during the election process. This apart, the state government has made it mandatory for all nursing homes and private hospitals to display the prescribed rates of treatment of COVID-19 at their reception counter.
•  Chhattisgarh: 2,947 new positive cases have been identified on Wednesday, which takes the state COVID-19 tally to 1, 13,602. There are 30,927 active cases in the state at present. With the discharge of 2,836 patients around the state on Wednesday, the total recoveries in the state now stand at 81,718
• Assam: In Assam, 3590 more people tested positive for COVID-19 and 1616 patients discharged yesterday. Total cases rise to 180811, active 34496, total discharged 145615 and death 697.
• Sikkim: In Sikkim, 38 more people tested positive for COVID-19 and discharged2290 patients. Active cases are 627 and total death 39.

FACT CHECK

****

YB