The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad said that Sachin Vaze is prime accused in Mansukh Hiren’s alleged murder case. He is responsible for destruction of crucial evidence like SIM cards and mobile phone besides CCTV footage of his residence, office, certain godowns and business establishments. 

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai yesterday Chief of Maharashtra ATS, Mr. Jai Jeet Singh said, it will try to gain the custody of suspended police officer Sachin Vaze to question him about his role in Mansukh Hiren’s alleged murder case. Mr. Singh confirmed that evidence collected so far suggests that Vinayak Shinde, who was out on parole, had called Masukh for a meeting where he was killed.

The ATS further said bookie Naresh gore had purchased 14 SIM cards from Gujarat, some of which were used in the crime. It may be recalled that Sachin Vaze is in NIA custody till 25th of this month. Even though the Hiren murder case was transferred to the NIA on March 20, the ATS is still conducting an investigation. 

Meanwhile, Maharashtra ATS seized a high-end VOLVO car from Daman in connection with the Mansukh Hiren murder case. The car has been brought to the ATS office in Thane. While there is no clarity about the car’s owner; the ATS suspects that the vehicle was used by Vaze and his team to dump Mansukh Hiren’s body in Thane creek.

Besides this vehicle, at least five more vehicles have been seized by NIA in relation with the Antilia bomb scare case, in which suspended police officer Sachin Vaze is a prime accused.

Union Home Ministry issued an Order containing Guidelines for effective control of COVID-19. It will be effective from 1st of April and remain in force upto 30th of April. The main focus of the Guidelines is to consolidate the substantial gains achieved in containing the spread of COVID-19, which was visible in the sustained decline in the number of active cases, continuously for about five months. 
 
Keeping in view a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, which is being witnessed in some parts of the country, the guidelines mandate the State and Union Territories Governments to strictly enforce the Test- Track-Treat protocol and ensure observance of COVID appropriate behaviour by everyone and to scale up the vaccination drive to cover all the target groups.
 
It is also emphasised that in order to ensure that the resumption of activities is successful and to fully overcome the pandemic, there is need to strictly follow the prescribed containment strategy, and strictly observe the guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Home Ministry, Health Ministry ,other Ministries, Departments of the Central Government and State Governments.
 
With regard to Test- Track-Treat protocol, the Home Ministry said that States and UTs, where the proportion of RT-PCR tests is less, should rapidly increase it, to reach the prescribed level of 70 percent or more. The new positive cases, detected as a result of intensive testing, need to be isolated and quarantined at the earliest and provided timely treatment.
 
Further as per the protocol, their contacts have to be traced at the earliest, and similarly isolated and quarantined. The Ministry said, based on the positive cases and tracking of their contacts, Containment Zones shall be carefully demarcated by the district authorities, at the micro level while taking into consideration the guidelines prescribed by the Health Ministry in this regard.
 
Within the demarcated Containment Zones, the containment measures will be followed, which include strict perimeter control, intensive house-to-house surveillance and contact tracing. The local district, police and municipal authorities will be responsible to ensure that the prescribed Containment measures are strictly followed and State Governments will ensure the accountability of the officers concerned in this regard.
 
As per the guidelines, State and  UT Governments will take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour in work places and in public, especially in crowded places. It said, for strict enforcement of wearing face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, States and UTs may consider administrative actions, including imposition of appropriate fines.
 
States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, at district and sub-district and city/ or ward level, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19. The guidelines said that there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission or e-permit will be required for such movements.
 
It said, all activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones and SOPs have been prescribed for various activities including movement by passenger trains, air travel, metro trains, schools; shopping malls and  yoga centres. The SOPs, as updated from time to time will be strictly enforced by the authorities concerned. With regard to vaccination, the Government of India has launched the world’s largest vaccination drive against COVID-19. 

The Home Ministry said that while the vaccination drive is proceeding smoothly, the pace is uneven across different States and UTs and the slow pace of vaccination in some States is a matter of concern. It said vaccination against COVID-19, in the present scenario, is critical to break the chain of transmission. The Ministry said, all State and UT Governments should rapidly step up the pace of vaccination, to cover all priority groups in an expeditious manner.

Health Ministry said, a total of 5 crore 8 lakh 41 thousand 286 vaccine doses have been administered till now. 47 thousand 262 new COVID19 cases have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours. With this total cases have reached to 1 crore 17 lakh 34 thousand 58.
 
Total recovery tally has touched 1 crore 12 lakh 5 thousand 160 as 23 thousand 907 people recovered from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours. 275 deaths reported the last 24 hours and death toll reached 1 lakh 60 thousand 441. Active cases now at 3 lakh 68 thousand 457.
 
ICMR said, a total of 23 crore 64 lakh 38 thousand 861 samples have been tested for COVID19 till yesterday. Out of these, 10 lakh 25 thousand 628 samples were tested yesterday.

Centre has opened Covid19 vaccination for everyone aged above 45 starting 1st of April. Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting in New Delhi yesterday, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar requested all eligible people to immediately register and get vaccinated. He said vaccination is the shield against COVID 19. He also clarified that vaccines are available in enough numbers and there is no scarcity. 

India will take on England in the first of the three-match One Day International series in Pune today. The match will begin at 1:30 pm.

Indian team’s confidence is soaring high after a resounding T20 series win, and it would look to win the ODI series as well, while the bruised England will look to bounce back after facing defeats in the test as well as T20 series. The second ODI will be played on 26th, and the third match on 28th of this month.

In a coordinated effort, US, European Union, Britain and Canada have imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for human rights abuses in Xinjiang. In a statement, ahead of meetings with EU and NATO ministers in Brussels this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, amid growing international condemnation, China continues to commit genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. Canada’s foreign ministry said, mounting evidence points to systemic, state-led human rights violations by Chinese authorities.
 
European Union was the first to impose sanctions yesterday on four Chinese officials, including a top security director, and one entity, a decision that was mirrored by Britain and Canada later in the day. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the treatment of Uighurs amounted to appalling violations of the most basic human rights. The sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, target senior officials in Xinjiang who have been accused of serious human rights violations against Uighur Muslims.

Rajya Sabha is scheduled to take up the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2021 today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday. Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy will move the bill for consideration and passing. The Bill amends the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 which provides a framework for the functioning of the Legislative Assembly and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
 
In Lok Sabha business schedule, the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Bill, 2021 is listed for consideration and passing. The bill seeks to establish the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development. Its objective is to support the development of long-term non-recourse infrastructure financing in India including development of the bonds and derivatives markets necessary for infrastructure financing and to carry on the business of financing infrastructure.

Germany is extending its lockdown until April 18 and calling on citizens to stay at home for five days over the Easter holidays to try to break a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chancellor Angela Merkel said today in a news conference that the country is now basically in a new pandemic. The British mutation has become dominant with very different characteristics, more deadly and more infectious.
 
Germany started cautiously easing restrictions earlier this month but the spread of more infectious variants of the virus has pushed up cases, prompting concerns that hospitals could soon be overstretched without further curbs. The number of cases per 100,000 people over a week stood at 107 yesterday, above the level at which intensive care units will be overwhelmed. 

Meeting of Permanent Indus Commission between India and Pakistan is underway in New Delhi. The Commission deals with water rights on the Indus river. The Permanent Indus Commission was set up under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. The Indian side is being led by the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters Pradeep Kumar Saxena. The Pakistan side is being led by Syed Muhammad Meher Ali Shah.
 
The Indus water treaty warrants the two commissioners to meet at least once a year. Last year’s meeting scheduled to be held in March in New Delhi was cancelled in view of the Corona virus pandemic. The last meeting took place in Lahore in August 2018. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former Pakistan President Ayub Khan. It sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers.

The BJP national President J P Nadda has released the party’s Sankalpa Patra for Assam promising to make the state free from floods.

Releasing the Sankalpa Patra or the manifesto in Guwahati in presence of several leaders including Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Mr. Nadda said that the party would launch Mission Brahmaputra to eliminate all losses to lives, livelihoods and property.

The manifesto also promises to bring 30 lakh families under the coverage of Orunodoi scheme if comes to power again. It also assures to increase the monthly amount to 3000 rupees under Orunodoi from the present 830 rupees. The party promises to protect the rights of the people through a corrected National Register of Citizens, NRC.

Ruling BJP has swept local body elections in Goa. In Panaji Corporation, the party has won 25 of 30 wards. BJP has also won many wards in other councils. Polling for six municipal councils, 30 wards of Corporation of City of Panaji, a Zilla panchayat, and 22 panchayat took place on Saturday. The six civic bodies that went to polls last Saturday are Canacona, Curchorem-Cacora, Bicholim, Cuncolim, Valpoi and Pernem.
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thanked people of Goa for the continuous support to BJP. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, the results of the Municipal Elections 2021 in the state shows the people’s appreciation towards the Party’s development agenda. He lauded all hardworking BJP workers who went among people and worked hard during the campaign.

Lok Sabha has passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2021. The Bill amends the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 which provides a framework for the functioning of the Legislative Assembly and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Bill amends certain powers and responsibilities of the Legislative Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor.
 
It further seeks to ensure that the Lieutenant Governor is necessarily granted an opportunity to exercise the power in select category of cases, in emergency. The Bill also gives powers to LG to make rules in matters which fall outside the preview of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. It has a provision that all executive action will be expressed to be taken in the name of the Lieutenant Governor.
 
Replying to the discussion, Minister of State for Home, G. Kishan Reddy said the bill aims at promoting harmonious relations between the legislature and the executive in the national capital. He said it was a technical necessity as the Supreme Court, High court and other forums were discussing the ambiguity at different times and issuing the orders on the NCT Act 1991. Therefore, the Minister said, it’s the responsibility of Parliament to clear confusion and the ambiguity.
 
While refuting the comments of some Members, he said, amendments in the Bill neither aimed at taking away the powers of the elected government of Delhi nor give additional powers to the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital.
 
He also reminded the members that Delhi is a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly with limited powers, in its originality. He said, the Government has to keep consulting the LG as the administrator. In case of any difference of opinion on any matter between LG and the Delhi government, the Minister said that the LG would refer the same to the President of India.

The Philippines government has claimed that around 220 Chinese boats have been spotted at a reef in the South China Sea waters controlled by Manila. It urged China to recall the boats saying the presence of the vessels violated Manila’s maritime rights by encroaching into the Philippines’ sovereign territory.

According to the Philippines coast guard, the boats are believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel. The boats were spotted on March 7 at the Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef. In a strong-worded statement, Philippines Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana warned of appropriate actions not limited to filing diplomatic protests if the boats were not withdrawn. It called on the Chinese to stop this incursion and immediately recall these boats.

The Philippine military spokesman Marine Major General Edgard Arevalo said that it had conducted air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea to further validate the incursion report. A Philippine cross-government task force said yesterday that the vessels’ presence in the area raises concern about overfishing and the destruction of the marine environment, as well as risks to safe navigation.       

Over four crore 50 lakh 65 thousand doses of Covid vaccine have been administered to the beneficiaries in the country so far. Union Health Ministry said that more than four lakh 62 thousand doses were given to the beneficiaries in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, the country’s COVID-19 recovery rate reached 95.75 per cent with the total recovery of more than 21  thousand patients in the last 24 hours.

The Ministry said over one crore 11 lakh patients have already been recovered from this disease. Presently, the total number of active cases in the country is over three lakh 34 thousand which comprises only 2.87 per cent of the total positive cases. A total number of 46 thousand 951 new cases have been reported in the country in the past 24 hours taking the cumulative positive cases to over one crore 16 lakh.

The Health Ministry said, 212 deaths have been reported during the last 24 hour taking the toll to one lakh 59 thousand 967 across the country. The Indian Council of Medical Research said that various laboratories have conducted more than 8 lakh 80 thousand tests of corona virus samples during the last 24 hours and more than 23 crore 44 lakh tests have been conducted in the country so far.

Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia has won the All England Badminton Championships men’s title as he defeated Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the summit clash.

The 22-year-old defeated Axelsen 30-29, 20-22, 21-9 in the summit clash which lasted for one hour and 14 minutes. With this win, Malaysia’s title drought came to an end and it is after four years, that someone from the country has managed to win the All England Open. Lee Chong Wei had last won the All England Open for Malaysia in 2017. Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara won the women’s title as she defeated Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-12, 21-16 in the finals.