AMID COVID SURGE, THIRD VACCINATION ROUND ROLLS OUT TODAY FOR KEY GROUP

Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in several parts of the country where the total active caseload has climbed to 5.52 lakh cases, the third phase of vaccination will be rolled out Wednesday, making every person above the age of 45 eligible for a vaccine shot.

This round of vaccination, two and a half months after the country began its Covid-19 vaccination drive, will make the largest age cohort eligible so far for phase-wise administration of the vaccine.

It will cover the population which is at the highest risk: 90 per cent of Covid deaths in India have been in the category of those above the age of 45.

On Wednesday, Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, and Dr R S Sharma, Chairperson, Empowered Group on Covid Vaccination, chaired a high-level meeting with state health secretaries and mission directors of the National Health Mission on the preparedness for the third phase, directing the states to identify low vaccine coverage, particularly in districts witnessing a Covid surge.

The direction came a day after Bhushan communicated to all Chief Secretaries to achieve 100 per cent vaccination coverage of those above the age of 45 in the next two weeks.

At the meeting Wednesday, it was underlined that states have to maintain vaccine wastage at less than 1 per cent, as against the present national average of 6 per cent.

The senior officials, specifically, gave three directions to the states on vaccine stocks: ensure no sedimentation of vaccine stocks at any level of storage; ensure distribution based on consumption with the aim to avoid overstocking and under-stocking at Cold Chain Points and CVCs; and undertake regular reviews of vaccine stocks and consumption to identify gap areas and address the same.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry had highlighted that only 16.53 per cent of the doses have been administered in the private sector, and urged the states to increase private sector participation in the vaccination drive.

In the first 75 days of vaccination, 6,43,58,765 doses were administered. These included 5.51 crore first doses and 92.6 lakh second doses.

It has also come to light that close to 40 per cent of over 16.49 lakh healthcare and frontline workers, who got the first dose of their vaccine, have skipped their second dose.

KEY COVID NUMBERS:

Current Active Cases Countrywide: 5,80,379

New Cases in last 24 hours: 72,198

Recovered in last 24 hours: 40,446

Increase in Active cases in last 24 hours: 31,294

No. of deaths in last 24 hours: 458

Most Affected States:

(S. No. / State / No. of Active Cases / New Cases in last 24 Hrs / Deaths in Last 24 Hrs)

1          Maharashtra     3,56,243           /           39,544  /           227

2          Karnataka         28,248  /           4,225    /           26

3          Chhattisgarh     25,529  /           4,563    /           39

4          Kerala              25,245  /           2,653    /           15

5          Punjab              23,832  /           2,944    /           55

6          Madhya Prad    17,096  /           2,332    /           9

7          Tamil Nadu       15,879  /           2,579    /           19

8          Gujarat             12,610  /           2,360    /           9

9          Uttar Pradesh   9,848    /           1,198    /           11

10        Haryana           9,726    /           1,106    /           8

11        Delhi                8,838    /           1,819    /           11

12        Rajasthan         8,663    /           906       /           5

13        Andhra Prad     7,338    /           1,184    /           4

14        West Bengal     5,775    /           982       /           2

15        Telangana        4,965    /           684       /           3

16        Him Pradesh     2,973    /           285       /           3

17        Jharkhand        2,825    /           693       /           NIL

18        JnK                  2,531    /           373       /           4

19        Uttarakhand      1,863    /           293       /           4

20        Odisha             1,852    /           297       /           NIL

21        Bihar                1,579    /           259       /           2

22        Goa                  1,556    /           200       /           1

23        Puducherry       1,074    /           127       /           NIL

PAKISTAN RESTARTS IMPORT OF SUGAR & COTTON FROM INDIA

In a sign of further thawing of diplomatic ties, Pakistan today approved the resumption of cotton and sugar imports from India.

Its newly appointed Finance Minister Hammad Azhar announced the Pakistan Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) decision to import 0.5 million tonnes of white sugar and cotton from India. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also Minister-in-Charge of Commerce and Textile, had approved the proposals put before the EEC.

The imports are being framed as a necessity. Azhar said Indian sugar was currently the cheapest in the world and Indian cotton imports would bridge the raw material shortfall for the textile sector.

Pakistan had lifted the ban on import of medicines and raw material from India in May last year but yesterday’s was the first biggest step in reversing the suspension of trade between the two countries.

However, this is a symbolic gesture because the largest share of Indian exports to Pakistan is accounted for by polypropylene, reactive dyes, pharma and tea. Some of the items going through Wagah to Pakistan such as pharma and chemicals are manufactured in the region, which would get a fillip once trade of these items also resumes. It remains to be seen whether India will reduce the heavy duty on import of fresh fruits, cement, sesame seeds and gypsum, some of the main Pakistani items consumed here.

On Tuesday, Imran Khan had replied to PM Narendra Modi’s greetings on Pakistan’s National Day and expressed the hope that both countries would be able to close the chapter of over five years of acrimony. Though both leaders kept up this civility even when tensions had peaked after Pulwama, their letters this time had centrally positioned the desire for peace. A few days earlier, the Indus Commissioners of both countries had met after over a year, in part because of Covid-related restrictions. However, there is no word on reopening of pilgrimage through the Kartarpur corridor.

A Pakistani sports team had travelled here to take part in an international competition after a long time. These rapprochement measures are undergirded by a surprise joint statement by military commanders from both countries on February 26 that decided to re-implement the ceasefire agreement on the border.

SUPREME COURT PANEL SUBMITS REPORT ON AGRICULTURE LAWS

As agitating farmers refuse to let go of their demand for withdrawal of the three farm laws, a Supreme Court-appointed three-member panel has submitted its report to the court in a sealed cover on measures to end the deadlock.

3-member committee held discussions with 85 farmers’ organisations and other stakeholders

It also held 9 internal meetings before submitting its report.

The panel comprising Pramod Kumar Joshi (Director, South Asia international Food Policy), Shetkari Sanghatana president Anil Ghanwat and former chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices Ashok Gulati submitted the report on March 19, sources said.

The fourth member of the panel, Bhartiya Kisan Union president Bhupinder Singh Mann, had recused himself.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde – which had on January 12 stayed the implementation of the three laws till further orders and appointed a panel to suggest measures to end the stalemate – is expected to take up the matter on April 5.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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BIDEN PROPOSES $2 TRILLION 'ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION' INVESTMENT IN US ECONOMY

President Joe Biden on Wednesday called for a sweeping use of govt power to reshape the world's largest economy and counter China's rise in a $2 trillion-plus proposal that has been met with swift political resistance.

Biden's proposal would put corporate America on the hook for the tab for projects putting millions of Americans to work building infrastructure such as roads as well as tackling climate change and boosting human services like elder care.

"It's a once-in-a-generation investment in America, unlike anything we've seen or done," Biden said in Pittsburgh. "It's big, yes. It's bold, yes. And we can get it done." Biden's second multi-trillion dollar legislative proposal in two months in office aimed to provide support to an economy walloped by the coronavirus pandemic. It also promised to shore up labor unions and the country's resilience to climate change, both long-sought liberal goals.

Coupled with his recently enacted $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, Biden's infrastructure initiative would give the federal govt a bigger role in the US economy than it has had in generations, accounting for 20% or more of annual output.

The effort sets the stage for the next partisan clash in the US Congress where members largely agree that investments are needed but are divided on the total size and inclusion of programs traditionally seen as social services.

The president's proposal was greeted icily by conservatives and major business groups.

"If it’s going to have massive tax increases and trillions more added to the national debt, it’s not likely," said Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader, one day after Biden called to brief him on the proposal.

The plan would increase the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% and change the tax code to close loopholes that allow companies to move profits overseas, according to a 25-page briefing paper released by the White House.

THE REST

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MAMATA’S LETTER TO NON-BJP LEADERS CALLING FOR UNIFIED ACTION AGAINST BJP

A letter written by Mamata Banerjee urging several non-BJP leaders to be united against the BJP intensified political heat as BJP leaders considered the letter as a desperate call to be saved.

In the letter, written on March 28, Mamata wrote the BJP wants to make it "impossible for non-BJP parties to exercise their Constitutional rights and freedoms". "It wants to dilute the powers of State Govts and downgrade them to mere municipalities. In short, it wants to establish a ONE-PARTY AUTHORITARIAN RULE in India," the letter said.

Saying that everyone has a right to unite, BJP chief JP Nadda said the call to unite against BJP, however, signals something else.

"In a democracy, everybody has the right to unite those who share a similar ideology. But at this time, to ask everyone to unite against PM Modi and the BJP shows clear indication in elections. There's a saying in English 'Save Our Souls (SOS) or Save Our Ship (SOS)'. It means their ship is sinking. It is clear now that Mamataji has admitted that her ship is sinking in Bengal and she is in trouble and people of Bengal have decided to give an overwhelming verdict to the BJP," Nadda said.

Mamata has sent the letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Maharashtra CM Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray, Jharkhand CM Hemant SorenDelhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Odishan CM Naveen Patnaik, Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Reddy, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, DMK's MK Stalin, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, NC’s Farooq Abdullah, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti and CPI(ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya.

STOP FREEBIES, CREATE INFRA: MADRAS HIGH COURT TO TAMIL NADU PARTIES

Deploring the freebies culture in Tamil Nadu to woo voters, the Madras High Court on Wednesday advised leaders of the political parties to stop this and engage in promoting infrastructural facilities.

The court’s observations came while admitting a writ petition from M Chandramohan from Tirunelveli district praying for a direction to the authorities concerned to convert the reserved Vasudevanallur Assembly constituency into a general one. “Each party tries to outdo each other in terms of populist promises. If one party promises monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to women household heads, there is a counter offer of Rs 1,500. It goes on. The result is people started having a mindset that they could make a living out of freebies,” a Division Bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and B Pugalendhi said.

IN ITS KERALA COASTAL HARBOUR, LDF RUNS AGROUND OVER US FIRM DEAL

In the 2016 Assembly polls, of the 49 constituencies that lie in Kerala’s coastal area, spread across eight districts, the CPM-led LDF had won 34, out of its total tally of 91. But now, clouds of uncertainty are looming over the ruling front in these seats as the fishermen community — the backbone of the Left’s support base in some of these districts —are angry with the state govt for “betraying” them by signing a deal with an American firm over fishing which, they say, will cost them their livelihood.

The LDF govt first denied such a deal, though its PR department had earlier called it an achievement, but later, apprehensive of a poll blowback, cancelled the MoU it had signed with US-based EMCC International.

The fact that the govt kept the agreement under wraps and kept denying it till the Congress released the details have added to the apprehensions. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s interactions with fishermen, including going fishing with them to the sea, has kept the issue alive.

WORLD BANK RAISES INDIA’S GROWTH FORECAST TO 10.1%

The World Bank has forecast 10 per cent GDP growth for the Indian economy in this fiscal year, that begins today.

“This is a substantial upward revision of 4.7 per cent from January 2021 forecasts, but the pandemic is not yet under control and the recovery remains fragile, calling for vigilance,” said Hartwig Schafer, World Bank Vice-President for the South Asia Region.

The GDP of other South Asian nations is also expected to grow — Bangladesh by 3.6 per cent, Nepal’s by 2.7 per cent and Pakistan’s by 1.3 per cent, said the World Bank days ahead of its spring meeting that will shape up the policy responses of Bretton Woods Institutions towards debt, climate, vaccines and economic recovery.

INTEREST RATES ON SMALL SAVING SCHEMES CUT SHARPLY. “NO IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT”

The govt Thursday morning withdrew an order issued on Wednesday that cut interest rates on small savings schemes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman this morning called yesterday’s announcement an "oversight”.

As per yesterday’s announcement, the interest rates were to be cut from today on PPF (down from 7.1 to 6.4%), Senior Citizen Savings Schemes (down from 7.4 to 6.5%), NSC Certificates, Kisan Vikas Patras, and FDs of all duration.

Sitharaman announced withdrawing the move this morning. "Interest rates of small savings schemes of GoI shall continue to be at the rates which existed in the last quarter of 2020-2021, ie, rates that prevailed as of March 2021.

Orders issued by oversight shall be withdrawn,” she said on Twitter.

HC QUESTIONS PARAM BIR SINGH’S PLEA TO PROBE DESHMUKH WITHOUT FIR

Following a marathon hearing, the Bombay high court on Wednesday reserved its orders on a PIL filed by former city police chief Param Bir Singh seeking a CBI probe into his allegations of “corrupt malpractices” against state home minister Anil Deshmukh after the state objected to its maintainability. The HC itself questioned Singh’s plea for a probe by the CBI without a first information report (FIR) being filed. State advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni sought dismissal of the PIL, with exemplary cost.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni said that as a police officer, Singh would know the CrPC well and would be “failing in his duty” if he didn’t file an FIR.

SUPREME COURT PUTS CENTRE ON NOTICE OVER PLEA TO END DELHI-NCR BLOCKADE

As the main roads connecting Delhi and Noida remain blocked since the beginning of protests against farm laws in November last, the Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and the UP Govt on a petition by a woman who said commuting had become a nightmare for her.

Acting on a PIL filed by Monicca Agarwaal, a resident of Noida and a single parent with some medical issues, a Bench headed by Justice SK Kaul last week asked the Centre and Uttar Pradesh Govt to explain why the roads connecting Delhi and Noida were not kept free from blockades.

CHANGE IN SALARY STRUCTURE UNLIKELY, LABOUR CODE IMPLEMENTATION PUT OFF

The four labour codes will not come into effect from April 1 as states are yet to finalise the relevant rules, which means that there will be no change in take home pay of employees and

The labour ministry had envisaged implementing the four codes on industrial relations, wages, social security and occupational health safety and working conditions from April 1, 2021.

Once the wages code comes into force, there will be significant changes in the way basic pay and provident fund of employees are calculated.

The ministry had even finalised the rules under the four codes. With no clear indication on the timeline of the notification, the labour market is on tenterhooks. The apparent uncertainty has also sent the employers in a tailspin. Changes require budgetary prospecting which open and close with each financial year. Delay with regard to the rules would naturally unsettle the apple cart with regard to financial audits, taxation, which are girded around annual computation and assessments.

INDIA SLIPS 28 SPOTS IN WEF’S GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT

India has fallen 28 places in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021, and is now one of the worst performers in South Asia, trailing behind neighbours Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar -— it is now ranked 140 among 156 countries.

South Asia incidentally is one of the worst performing regions, followed only by the Middle East and northern Africa, according to the report released on Wednesday by the World Economic Forum.

The two indices where India has fared the worst are “Health and Survival”, which includes the sex ratio, and economic participation of women.

The countries with the largest gender gaps in economic participation include Iran, India, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The report notes that the economic participation gender gap actually widened in India by 3 percent this year. The share of women in professional and technical roles declined further to 29.2 per cent. The share of women in senior and managerial positions also is at 14.6 per cent and only 8.9 per cent firms in the country have top female managers.

The estimated earned income of women in India is only one-fifth of men’s, which puts the country among the bottom 10 globally on this indicator, it said.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

OFF TRACK

A barber runs out of his shop and down to the nearest corner where a policeman is standing. "Officer," he asks, have you seen a man run by here in the last few minutes?"  

"No I haven't. What's the problem?"  

"The lousy cheat ran out of my shop without paying me!"  

"Does this fellow have any distinguishing features?" the officer asks.  

"Well, yes," the barber replies. "He's carrying one of his ears in his left hand."