Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Defence of Republic of Korea Suh Wook held bilateral talks on defence cooperation in New Delhi today. The leaders acknowledged that the bilateral defence cooperation has broadened significantly in scale and scope across Tri-Service as well as agencies dealing with defence technology and industry. Both the countries have also found common ground on several multilateral fora and engagements. During the meeting, they also exchanged views on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the defence and security engagements as well as best practices followed by the Armed Forces of both nations. 
 
They reaffirmed their support to multilateral initiatives to promote lasting peace and stability in the region and beyond. As brought out by the Raksha Mantri during his interaction with his counterpart, the bilateral relations between both the countries are set to grow further and the meeting between them will give it the necessary impetus to take it to the next level.
 
Both the Ministers also expressed satisfaction over the commitment exhibited by diverse agencies of both countries to sustain structured annual dialogues at various levels of leadership through virtual means when travel and physical engagements became increasingly challenging during the ongoing pandemic. 
 
Earlier, Mr. Rajnath Singh and Mr Suh Wook jointly inaugurated the India-Korea Friendship Park in a ceremony to mark the occasion at Delhi Cantonment. The park is a symbol of close relations between both the countries and acknowledges the contribution of the Indian Army’s Medical Mission during the Korean War. 

More than five crore 55 lakh four thousand doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the country so far. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry has informed today that over 23 lakh 58 thousand doses of vaccines have been administered to the beneficiaries in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the country’s COVID-19 recovery rate stood at 95.08 per cent with a total recovery of 32,987 people within 24 hours. The Health Ministry said, more than one crore 12 lakh people have already recovered from the infection. However, the active caseload is continuously rising in the country due to sudden spike in the cases reported from various States. 

At present, there are 4,21,066 active cases in the country. Amid the rising new cases, a total of 59,118 new cases have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours taking the cumulative positive cases to over one crore 17 lakh. Five States, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat have reported a surge in daily new cases. 

Maharashtra continues to report the highest daily new cases at 35,952. It is followed by Punjab with 2,661 while Karnataka reported 2,523 new cases. Three States, Maharashtra, Kerala and Punjab together account for over 73 per cent of the total active cases in the country.

The Health Ministry said, 257 deaths have been reported within a day taking the toll to over one lakh 60 thousand across the country.

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said that government is ensuring supplies of vaccines to the states as per their per day vaccination capacities. Speaking at the India Economic Conclave, he said, government is keeping a close watch on the number of beneficiaries being vaccinated each day and number of people in the prioritized age group vaccinated till date. He said, the ongoing vaccination drive is being strengthened on a daily basis to increase the number of vaccinations administered each day. All stakeholders are involved in this drive to make it a Jan Andolan.

Dr Harsh Vardhan said, no significant adverse event following immunization has been reported in India till date. The Minister said, all cases of adverse events following Immunization are monitored through a well-structured and robust surveillance system. He reiterated that both the vaccines being used in the country are completely safe and immunogenic. Dr Harsh Vardhan said, the detailed concerted efforts of Central and State Governments and India’s investment in the Test, Track and Treat strategy have resulted in recording one of the lowest cases and deaths per million population.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police, Rajasthan over complaints of exponential increase in the incidents of crime against women in the State.

The Commission has taken cognizance of complaints alleging exponential increase in the incidents of crime against women in Rajasthan. In a statement, the NHRC said, allegedly, 80 thousand cases were registered in the State in the last one year.

The Commission has observed that the allegations and the incidents appear to be serious in nature indicating violation of human rights. It said, it is the duty of the State to protect the rights of the women and punish the perpetrators without fail.

Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police, Rajasthan directing them to enquire into the specific incidents and submit an Action Taken Report within four weeks.

They will also inform the Commission about the steps being taken by the State for inspiring confidence in the women and the girls ensuring their safety and security in the State.

In view of upcoming festivals, the Centre has asked the States to take all necessary measures to regulate crowds by ensuring strict observance of COVID appropriate behaviours. They include wearing of mask and maintaining social distance.

In a letter to State Chief Secretaries while citing upcoming festivals including Holi, Shab- e- Barat and Easter, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla urged them to issue necessary instructions to the District Administrations and Police Authorities to scrupulously enforce COVID norms and SOPs in all public gatherings during these festivals. He also asked  States to launch awareness campaign to sensitize the people in this regard.

Earlier, Union Health Ministry had also advised States and Union Territories to consider on imposing local restrictions during these festivals and limit mass gatherings in view of rising cases of Covid 19.

Election Commission has banned the conducting of any exit poll and publicizing their results between 7 AM today and 7.30 PM on 29th of next month.

The Commission has notified this period during which publishing or publicizing the result of exit polls by means of the print or electronic media or in any other manner will be prohibited in the ongoing assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and  Puducherry as well bye polls in various states.

The poll panel has also prohibited displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey, in any electronic media during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in the poll-bound areas in each phase of the election and bye-elections. 

Polling has begun for the first phase of assembly elections in Assam and West Bengal. In Assam, polling began at 7 this morning and will conclude at 6 PM. Voting is taking place for 47 constituencies spread over 12 districts. 264 candidates including 23 women are in fray for 47 seats. Over 81 lakh voters including 40.32 lakh women and 124 Third Gender persons will decide the fate of these candidates.

There are three main alliances this time including the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance with partners Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and Mahajot or Grand Alliance led by the Congress.

It includes All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) and the Left parties while yet another conglomerate of Assom Jatiya Party (AJP) and Raijor Dal is also there. Congress has fielded 43 candidates, AJP has 41, BJP-39, AGP-10 while 78 independents along with others are also trying their luck.

The prominent leaders contesting during the First Phase include Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal from Majuli, State Congress President Ripun Bora from Gohpur, Asom Gana Parishad President Atul Bora from Boka khat, Raijor Dal President Akhil Gogoi from Sivsagar and Assam Jatiya Parishad President Lurinjyoti Gogoi from Duliajan and Nahakatia.

In West Bengal, polling began at 7 AM and will conclude at 6:30 PM. 191 candidates including 21 women are vying for the 30 seats spread over five districts in this phase. Over 74 lakh voters including 36.28 lakh women and 63 Third Gender persons will decide the fate of these candidates.

Out of 30 seats, BJP is contesting 29 and alliance partner AJSU is fighting from the Baghmundi seat in Purulia district while TMC is contesting in 29 seats and supporting an independent candidate in Joypur Constituency after the nomination of the party candidate was rejected. Congress, Left parties and their alliance partner Indian Secular Front are fighting under the banner of Sanyukt Morcha.

Election Commission is using Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) along with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at every Polling Station, with a view to enhance the transparency and credibility of the election process, as VVPAT allows the voter to verify his/her vote. The arrangements have already been made to ensure the availability of adequate number of EVMs and VVPATs for the smooth conduct of elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to vote in record numbers in Assam assembly elections. He particularly called upon young friends to vote. Mr Modi also requested all those who are voters in the seats polling today in West Bengal to exercise their franchise in record numbers.