The Fourth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries was held yesterday through virtual mode.

The meeting covered the entire gamut of issues related to fishermen and fishing boats which have been on the agenda of bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka for many years. It may be recalled that during the Virtual Bilateral Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa held on 26 September this year, both leaders agreed to continue engagement to address the issues related to fishermen through regular consultation and bilateral channels.

The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary in Department of Fisheries in Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by R.M.I. Rathnayake, Secretary in Ministry of Fisheries in the Sri Lankan Government.

Dr. Rajeev Ranjan highlighted that the Indian side remains committed to working constructively with the Sri Lankan side to address all issues related to fishermen and their livelihoods in a humanitarian manner and in line with past understandings.

Referring to the recent apprehension of 40 fishermen and 6 boats by Sri Lanka Navy, the leader of the Indian delegation called on the Sri Lankan side to ensure their early release and till such time, to provide necessary facilitation including consular access and necessary assistance. The Indian side also reiterated the need for releasing all fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody in line with the commitment given by Sri Lankan President during his state visit to India in November last year.

The two sides also exchanged views on the status of cooperation between Navy and Coast Guard of both countries in patrolling, existing hotline between the Coast Guards and related operational matters, cooperation in preservation of marine environment as well as the schedule for the fifth meeting of the Joint Working Group. The Indian side conveyed its sincere determination to work in a constructive spirit with the Sri Lankan side for convening an early meeting of the Fisheries Ministers on both sides.

Both sides agreed that the convening of the Joint Working Group on virtual medium to tide over the restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic reflected the common desire to utilize the existing bilateral mechanisms and work constructively to address all issues pertaining to fishermen.

Dr. Ranjan also highlighted the initiatives being taken by India under the new Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and other schemes of Central Government and governments of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to diversify and reduce fishing pressure in the Palk Bay. He also informed of initiatives taken for diversification into deep-sea fishing especially by fishermen of Palk Bay area, infrastructure created to facilitate deep-sea fishing, promotion of alternative livelihood through seaweed cultivation, mariculture and varieties of aquaculture activities. 

The country’s COVID-19 recovery rate has reached to 95.99 per cent. During the last 24 hours, more than 26 thousand COVID patients have recovered. Health Ministry said, the total number of recoveries has gone up to over 98 lakh 34 thousand. The actual caseload currently comprises only 2.56 per cent of the total positive cases.

Presently, the total number of active cases in the country is around two lakh 62 thousand.

During the past 24 hours, 20 thousand 550 new cases were reported taking the total number of positive cases in the country to over one crore two lakh.

Currently, India’s Case Fatality Rate is at 1.45 per cent, which is one of the lowest globally. During the last 24 hours, 286 deaths were reported taking the toll to one lakh 48 thousand 439.
The country has crossed another milestone in terms of COVID testing.

With testing of over 11 lakh 20 thousand COVID samples in the last 24 hours, the cumulative testing figure has surpassed the 17 crore mark. According to Indian Council of Medical Research, so far, over 17 crore nine lakh samples have been tested across the country.

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will announce the dates of commencement of CBSE Board examinations- 2021 for classes 10th and 12th this evening.

Earlier, during virtual interaction with teachers, Mr Nishank informed that CBSE is making necessary preparations for conducting the 2021 board examinations for classes 10th and 12th after taking into consideration the suggestions given by students, teachers and parents.

The Government has further extended the deadline to file the income tax return (ITR) for individual taxpayers till 10th January 2021 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. The deadline for filing ITR for the financial year 2019-20 by companies has also been extended till 15th February 2021.
 
The Income Tax department said, the decision has been taken in view of the continued challenges faced by taxpayers in meeting statutory compliances due to Covid-19 outbreak.
   
The due date for filing income tax return by individuals and companies was December 31st, 2020, and January 31st, 2021. This is the third time that the Income Tax department has extended the return filing deadline.
 
Also, the due date for filing declaration under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme has been extended to 31st January, 2021. The date for passing of orders under Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme has been extended to 31st January, 2021. The date for passing of order or issuance of notice by the authorities under the Direct Taxes and Benami Acts has also been extended to 31st March, 2021.
 
In order to provide relief for the third time to small and middle class taxpayers in the matter of payment of self-assessment tax, the due date for payment of self-assessment tax date has been extended.
 
The Government has also extended the due date of furnishing of annual return under Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 for the financial year 2019-20 by 2 months to 28 February, 2021.

The entire state of Nagaland has been declared a disturbed area for six more months. The Home Ministry in a notification said, the Central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.
 
It said, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, the Central government declares that whole of the State of Nagaland to be disturbed area for a period of six months.
 
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has been in force in Nagaland for several decades.

The next round of talks between the Central Government and farmers’ unions will be held on 4th of January. The Centre yesterday held the sixth round of talks with representatives of farmers’ unions was in New Delhi. Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Piyush Goyal and Som Prakash were present in the meeting.
 
Speaking after the meeting, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, the talks were held in a very good environment and it concluded on a positive note. Mr Tomar assured the Farmers leaders that government is committed to solving their problems and both sides need to take steps forward to arrive at an amicable solution. He said, consensus on two out of four issues was reached during the meeting. Mr Tomar said, the first issue was an ordinance related to the Environment and the second was on Electricity Act.

The Agriculture Minister said, the Government has been saying that Minimum Support Price (MSP) will continue and it is ready to give this in writing. Mr Tomar said, farmers’ unions, however, feel MSP should get legal status, so the discussion will continue on the legal aspect of MSP. The Minister said, the next round of talks will be held on 4th of January. Mr Tomar said, discussions on three farm laws and MSP guarantee will continue in next round of talks. The Minister said, considering the chilly weather in Delhi, he has requested the farmer leaders to send home the elderly, women and children.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Rajkot in Gujarat at 11 AM today through video conferencing. For the project, 201 acres of land has been allotted. It will be built at an estimated cost of One thousand One hundred 95 crore rupees and is expected to be completed by mid of 2022.
 
The state-of-the-art 750 bed hospital will also have a 30 bed AAYUSH block. It will have 125 MBBS seats and 60 nursing seats. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan and Union Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey will be present on the occasion.

US President-elect Joe Biden has alleged that agencies critical to US security have suffered “enormous damage” at the hands of the Trump administration.

Mr Biden said his team is not getting the information it needed, including from the Department of Defence, as it makes its transition to power.

He was speaking after a briefing by national security and foreign policy aides.

Mr Biden takes office on 20 January but President Donald Trump has refused to accept defeat in November’s election.

For weeks after the election, Mr Biden was blocked from receiving key intelligence briefings, an essential and normally routine part of a presidential transition.

Following Mr Biden’s remarks on Monday, Acting Defence Secretary Christopher Miller said officials have been working with the utmost professionalism to support transition activities.

A spokesman said the Pentagon has been completely transparent with the Biden team.

Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has released the report – Action Agenda for an Atma Nirbhar Bharat prepared by Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council, TIFAC in New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion yesterday, Dr Harsh Vardhan said the ideas contained in the report should be taken forward with the implementing agencies. He said, the ultimate outcome of the report has to be addition to quality of life and how our efforts can contribute to Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He said, the comprehensive report on Action Agenda for an Atma Nirbhar Bharat is a consequential follow-up of the TIFAC’s White Paper on Focused Interventions for Make in India: post COVID -19 which was released earlier in July this year. The Minister said, a roadmap should be drawn for implementing the key suggestions in the report by 15th August, 2022 when India turns 75 years old.

The Sports Ministry has issued Standard Operating Procedures, SOP for conduct of sporting events in country.

The SOP said that a COVID task force shall be constituted for each sporting competition by the organizing committee to guide and monitor all athletes and Athlete Support Personnel.

This task force will be responsible for overall implementation of protocols outlined in this SOP and other direction issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time.

In its circular, Sports Ministry said, the guidelines were formulated in consultation with all the stakeholders and the competitions should be conducted strictly in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

For outdoor events, spectators will be allowed upto a maximum of 50 per cent of the total capacity of the stadium.

The Ministry said, CCTV monitoring may be planned for larger events to detect over-crowding at entry and exit gates and seating arena.

Appropriate arrangements for personal protection devices like face covers, masks, face shields, PPEs, heavy duty gloves and other logistics like hand sanitizers, soap, shall be made available by organizing committee.

US President-elect Joe Biden has alleged that agencies critical to US security have suffered “enormous damage” at the hands of the Trump administration.

Mr Biden said his team is not getting the information it needed, including from the Department of Defence, as it makes its transition to power.

He was speaking after a briefing by national security and foreign policy aides.

Mr Biden takes office on 20 January but President Donald Trump has refused to accept defeat in November’s election.

For weeks after the election, Mr Biden was blocked from receiving key intelligence briefings, an essential and normally routine part of a presidential transition.

Following Mr Biden’s remarks on Monday, Acting Defence Secretary Christopher Miller said officials have been working with the utmost professionalism to support transition activities.

A spokesman said the Pentagon has been completely transparent with the Biden team.

Cold wave conditions intensify in northern parts of country after the fresh snowfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

In Himachal Pradesh the minimum temperature dropped on to two notches acorss the state. However, weather remaind dry in most parts of the state. Maximum and minimum temperatures dropped at most places as icy winds swept through the state. The minimum temperature of 7 cities of the state has been recorded below zero degrees.

In Uttarakhand, normal life has been affected in remote places at high altitude areas of the state. Meanwhile, tourists’ rush was witnessed in Mussoorie, Dhanaulty, Nainital and other places at year end. District administrations have made special arrangements in this regard. The Met department forecast that cold wave condition is likely to prevail at various places in the state.

In Rajasthan cold wave conditions prevailed in most parts of the state for the last two consecutive days. The minimum temperature was recorded in minus in five cities of the state yesterday.

Our Jaipur correspondent reports that Mount Abu recorded the biggest drop of the season, where minimum temperature reached to minus 4 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature recorded below freezing point in Fatehpur, Jobner, Sikar and Churu cities. At the same time, the day temperature has also dropped. Sri Ganganagar recorded a minus of 13.5 degrees Celsius.  The Met Department has today issued an for intense cold wave and dense fog in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Bikaner, Churu Hanumangarh, and Sriganganagar districts. Apart from this, cold wave and cold day are expected in many other districts of the state.

The COVID-19 recovery rate in the country has touched 95.92 per cent. Total recoveries has reached 98 lakh 7 thousand 5 hundred 69 with 24 thousand 900 recoveries in the last 24 hours.

With 16 thousand 4 hundred 32 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, total cases reached 1 crore 2 lakh 24 thousand 3 hundred and three.

The Health and Family Welfare Ministry said, 252 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours which has taken the death toll to 1 lakh 48 thousand one hundred 53.

The Government has assured that vaccines will work against the new variants of coronavirus and there is no evidence that current vaccines will fail to protect against the new variants reported from the UK and South Africa.

Briefing media in New Delhi yesterday, Principal Scientific Advisor K. Vijay Raghavan said that the changes in the variants of corona virus are not sufficient to make the vaccines ineffective. He said, most vaccines target the spike protein and stimulate our immune system to produce a wide range of protective antibodies.

Giving the details about the new variants, Mr. Raghavan said, 17 important changes have been seen in the new variants and it increases the spread of transmission. He added that the UK variant is more transmissible and it increases the positivity rate. He however clarified that these new variants do not increase the severity of the disease.

The Principal Scientific Advisor informed that Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium is conducting testing and sequencing of samples of international travellers, patients admitted in the hospital and across the country. He advised the people to follow strict compliance measures like wearing masks and maintaining social distancing to ward off this disease.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that infrastructure is the biggest source of any nation’s strength. He said as India is moving fast towards the path of becoming a big economic power, the best connectivity is the priority of the country. Emphasising on the importance of connectivity and infrastructure development for Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Mr Modi said his Government is working on every aspect of modern connectivity for the last six years with this in mind.

The Prime Minister was speaking after dedicating to the nation the New Bhaupur- New Khurja section and the Operation Control Centre of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) in Uttar Pradesh yesterday. 

The Prime Minister said the this corridor will become a medium of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He opined that this corridor will open new economic activities and boost employment opportunities in the region.

Talking about the importance of connectivity development, Mr Modi termed the corridor as the biggest and most important rail project after independence. He said the Government is focussing on the five wheels of highways, railways, airways, waterways and i-ways. He said today’s inauguration of a large section of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor is a big step in this direction.Mr Modi said Prayagraj Operation Control center is one of the modern control centers and a symbol of the new strength of the new India.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need for dedicated freight corridors. He said with such corridors, problem of delayed passenger trains would be resolved and speed of the freight train also would increase three times and would be able to carry double the volume of goods.

The Prime Minister said about 60 percent of the corridor falls in Uttar Pradesh which would attract a lot of industries towards the state. The Prime Minister said Kisan Rail would be benefited due to this freight corridor as farmers can send their produce through rail to any big markets across the country, faster, safely and at a low price.

The Prime Minister urged to keep the development of the country’s infrastructure away from politics. He said country’s infrastructure should be a mission to benefit many generations, not 5 years of politics.

The 351-kilometre New Bhaupur- New Khurja section of EDFC is built at a cost of 5,750 crore rupees and most of its part passes through Uttar Pradesh. The section will decongest the existing Kanpur-Delhi main rail line and enable Indian Railways to run faster trains. The Operation Control Centre at Prayagraj will act as the command centre for the entire route length of the EDFC.