HEALTH MINISTRY ‘GAGS’ STATES ON VAX STOCKS, STORAGE DATA

A Union health ministry letter to all states and UTs warning that data on vaccine stocks and temperature at all levels of vaccine storage is “owned” by the ministry and should not be shared without its consent is being termed “a gag order” by public health activists.

A letter to state mission directors of the National Health Mission states that data and analytics generated by eVIN (electronic vaccine intelligence network) for inventory and temperature (of vaccines) was “owned” by the ministry and that it was “not to be shared with any other organisation, partner agency, media agency, online and offline public forums” without the consent of the ministry. The letter added that it was “very sensitive information and to be used only for programme improvement”.

The Centre’s direction is reportedly intended to ensure vaccine data is not misused or used for commercial purposes, said officials.

Data and analytics related to vaccine stocks and temperature at which it is stored are often widely sought by different agencies for crucial information related to usage trends, uptake of vaccines in varied categories of population as well as electricity supply status. “This is not only for Covid-19 vaccines. Even in the past we have asked states and immunisation commissioners that this data be shared strictly with consent from the ministry,” an official said.

IN REVISED TOLL, BIHAR CONFIRMS ALMOST 4000 EXTRA COVID DEATHS

COVID19 death toll in Bihar was  on Wednesday revised drastically upwards by the state health department which put the total number of fatalities caused by the pandemic at 9,429. According to the department, which had till the previous day stated the number of deaths to be under 5,500, as many as 3,951 deaths have been added to the toll after verification.

THIS REVISION OF NUMBERS IN BIHAR SHOWS UP IN YESTERDAY’S COUNTRY-WIDE DEATH NUMBERS AS GIVEN IN THE DATA BELOW.

KEY COVID NUMBERS

Current Active Cases Countrywide: 11,65,487

New Cases in last 24 hours: 93,802

Recovered in last 24 hours: 1,49,027

Change in no. of Active cases in last 24 hours: -61,363

No. of deaths in last 24 hours (Total Covid Deaths so far): 6,138 (3,59,695)

Daily Tests (Tuesday): 19,85,967

Daily Positivity Rate (Proportion of Positives among total Tested): 4.6%

Percentage of Population Vaccinated (At Least One Dose / Two Doses): 14.4% / 3.5%

Most Affected States:

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

1          Karnataka         2,15,525           /           10,959  /           192

2          Tamil Nadu       2,04,258           /           17,321  /           405

3          Maharashtra     1,61,864           /           10,989  /           661

4          Kerala  1,39,060           /           16,204  /           156

5          Andhra Pradesh            1,03,995           /           8,766    /           67

6          Odisha 63,280  /           6,019    /           43

7          Assam  48,499  /           3,751    /           55

8          Telangana        24,301  /           1,813    /           17

9          Jammu and Kashmir     19,852  /           1,098    /           17

10        Chhattisgarh     18,113  /           954       /           14

11        Punjab  17,344  /           1,393    /           74

12        West Bengal     14,702  /           5,384    /           95

13        Gujarat 13,683  /           644       /           10

14        Uttar Pradesh   12,959  /           688       /           91

15        Rajasthan         11,832  /           520       /           30

16        Manipur            9,307    /           775       /           7

17        Uttarakhand      9,258    /           513       /           52

18        Bihar    7,352    /           589       /           3,971

19        Haryana           7,079    /           528       /           40

20        Madhya Pradesh           7,071    /           453       /           36

21        Puducherry       6,853    /           642       /           4

22        Himachal Pradesh         6,682    /           554       /           15

23        Tripura 5,814    /           625       /           5

24        Goa      5,790    /           456       /           18

25        Meghalaya        4,849    /           448       /           16

26        Jharkhand        4,783    /           302       /           3

27        Delhi    4,511    /           337       /           36

28        Nagaland          3,893    /           186       /           3

29        Sikkim  3,869    /           231       /           1

30        Arunachal Pradesh        3,271    /           247       /           2

31        Mizoram           3,248    /           202       /           57

32        Lakshadweep    787       /           128       /           42

33        Chandigarh       649       /           84        /           2

READY FOR TALKS IF FARMERS RAISE LOGICAL OBJECTIONS TO LAWS: TOMAR

Hours after the government said on Wednesday that it was ready to talk to the farmers provided they logically point out their specific objections to agricultural reform laws, the Congress sought the removal of Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, terming his remarks “insensitive”.

At the Cabinet briefing yesterday, Tomar said the government respected the agitating farmers which was why it organised 11 rounds of talks with them. “The Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a lot of respect for farmers and that is why the government will be ready for talks with the farmers whenever they want to talk. But, we have repeatedly urged farm unions to logically point out objections to relevant provisions of the law and we will listen to them and also attempt a resolution to their concerns,” the minister said.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate mentioned Tomar’s previous remarks that the government was willing to talk to the farmers about anything except the repeal of laws and said, “What else will the farmers discuss with the government if not the laws? Will they discuss the weather? The Agriculture Minister must be removed for his insensitive remarks.”

Tomar defended the government record on farmers, saying the country had witnessed the commitment of the PM towards farmers. “The decisions taken by the Modi government in the last seven years to raise the income of farmers and increase agriculture profitability are historic and unprecedented. No one is in a position to dismiss them,” Tomar said.

He said all political parties wanted to enact agriculture reform laws but did not have the courage to do so.

INDIA, CHINA SHOULD HELP, NOT UNDERCUT EACH OTHER: ENVOY SUN WEIDONG

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong has said that New Delhi and Beijing “need to help each other succeed instead of undercutting each other”, adding that the two sides “should respect each other, treat each other as equals, conduct dialogue and consultation and properly address differences to find a mutually acceptable solution”.

Sun said this at the celebrations of the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Wednesday.

Holding an online dialogue with Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL) and students and faculty from Indian universities, Sun said, “How will the China-India relations move forward? We need cooperation rather than confrontation. We need to help each other succeed instead of undercutting each other. At the moment, we should focus on tackling the pandemic, reviving the economy, improving people’s livelihood, and managing our own affairs well.

“It is normal for countries to have differences. The boundary question is left over from history and should be put at a proper place in the overall bilateral relations. The Chinese side’s position is clear. We are committed to settling the boundary question through dialogue and consultation. At the same time, we are resolved to safeguard our sovereignty, security and development interests. The two sides should respect each other, treat each other as equals, conduct dialogue and consultation and properly address differences to find a mutually acceptable solution,” he said.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

BIDEN, FAUCI URGE AMERICANS TO GET VACCINE TO KEEP DELTA VARIANT AT BAY

For months, President Joe Biden has laid out goal after goal for taming the pandemic and then exceeded his own benchmarks. However, it seems the US is unlikely to meet his target of getting 70% of Americans at least partially vaccinated by the Fourth of July holiday. Biden and top US expert Anthony Fauci now have warned that those reluctant to take the shot are “extremely vulnerable” to the Delta variant, first identified in India.

Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on Tuesday that the Delta variant now accounts for more than 6% of cases being sequenced in the US, while in the UK it has overtaken the Alpha variant that originated there. “It’s essentially taking over in the UK,” he said, adding, “We can’t let that happen in the US.” Fauci urged young people to get vaccinated, citing a study that found that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or the AstraZeneca shot appeared to be effective against the Delta variant.

Biden too joined in warning against the strain, tweeting on Tuesday: “Folks, Delta variant — a highly infectious Covid-19 strain — is spreading rapidly among young people between 12 and 20 years old in the UK. If you’re young and haven’t gotten your shot yet, it really is time. It’s the best way to protect yourself and those you love.”

Across the US, Covid caseloads are falling but so is the pace of vaccinations.

PROMINENT PAK JOURNALIST HAMID MIR APOLOGISES FOR ANTI-ARMY SPEECH

A prominent Pakistani journalist, who was taken off air indefinitely for making remarks against the country’s military establishment in the wake of an attack on a fellow scribe, has apologised. Hamid Mir, the host of talk show ‘Capital Talk’ of Geo News, on May 28 delivered a fiery speech at a protest against the attack by three “unknown” persons on journalist Asad Ali Toor. Mir demanded accountability for assaults on mediapersons who are critical of the army. He was taken off air on May 30.

A joint statement by a committee formed by the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists, the National Press Club and Mir on Tuesday said he had no intention to defame the army and respect it “as an institution from the core of his heart”. “The purpose of my speech was not at all to hurt the feelings of others... I sincerely apologise if my words lacerated sentiments of someone,” Mir said.

THE REST

=========

CONG LEADER JITIN PRASADA JOINS BJP

Congress leader Jitin Prasada joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday, in a boost to the saffron party as it works to strengthen its social coalition ahead of assembly elections in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh early next year.

Joining the BJP in New Delhi in the presence of Union minister Piyush Goyal and its chief spokesperson Anil Baluni, Prasada told reporters that 'if there was any political party in the country today that worked in an institutional way... if there was truly any national party in the country, then it was the BJP'.

Other parties were either about personalities or confined to some particular regions, he said, echoing the BJP's criticism of its rivals like the Congress and several regional parties.

Prasada was part of the group of 23 leaders who had written to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi last October seeking organisational overhaul and elections at all levels, triggering a storm in the party. He refrained from attacking the Congress leadership but said he had realised that it was no longer possible for him to serve people and protect their interests while remaining in his former party.

Noting that his family had been associated with the Congress for three generations, he said he had reflected long before severing the ties, and asserted that it was not about which party he was quitting but which he was joining.

MONSOON ARRIVES IN MUMBAI, WITH A BANG

Mumbai was brought to a near standstill on the first day of this year’s monsoon season with heavy rain lashing most parts of the city Wednesday morning, leading to traffic snarls and severe waterlogging that left roads, subways, suburban rail tracks and entire neighbourhoods inundated.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai recorded 222.2 mm rain in a span of 12 hours — 44 per cent of the monthly average rainfall in June (505 mm). It said the city will continue to receive extremely heavy rain spells — more than 200 mm in 24 hours — till June 13. The record for the highest 24-hour spell for the month is 399 mm on June 9, 1991.

REPORT ON CORPORATE & INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS: BJP GOT OVER 5 TIMES WHAT CONGRESS GOT

For at least the seventh year in a row, the BJP has topped the charts when it comes to receiving corporate and individual donations, latest data show.

In 2019-20, the party received roughly Rs 750 crore in donations from companies and individuals, according to its contribution report submitted to the Election Commission.

This is at least five times more than what the Congress party received (Rs 139 crore). The NCP got Rs 59 crore, TMC Rs 8 crore, CPM Rs 19.6 crore, and the CPI Rs 1.9 crore in the same period.

The party’s income from electoral bonds is not known yet as it’s yet to submit its annual audit report. The EC has extended the deadline for submission of the annual audit reports for 2019-20 to June 30. The BJP has been the biggest beneficiary of the electoral bonds scheme also since its launch in 2018.

BJP ASKS IF SONIA, RAHUL HAVE BEEN VACCINATED

Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday questioned whether Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had been vaccinated, asking why there was lack of clarity on the matter when the opposition was raising questions over the Centre's Covid-19 policy every day.

Joshi asked whether the Congress leaders had not got vaccinated as they did not have faith in Indian vaccines. “When we started vaccination in January, Congress leaders raised questions on vaccine efficacy. Now, they are taking the vaccine. As per my knowledge, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi haven't taken vaccines. They don't have confidence in the Indian vaccine,” Joshi said.

PAGD MEET: DOOR NOT SHUT FOR TALKS WITH CENTRE, SAYS FAROOQ ABDULLAH

Chairperson of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), Dr Farooq Abdullah, on Wednesday said that no doors are closed for talks with the Centre. “If they invite us, then we will decide at the time,” Abdullah said in Srinagar, where alliance constituents NC, PDP, CPI(M) and Awami National Conference met after over six months.

In response to a question on whether the group would consider talking to the Centre with regard to the situation in J&K, Abdullah said, “We have not closed any doors or options.” He said the “police are increasing pressure here” and “I would appeal to the LG to stop these detentions or people will become so against them that they will not be able to handle it”.

FINMIN PROPOSES 24/7 VAX DRIVE TO REVIVE ECO GROWTH

A finance ministry report on Wednesday called for stepping up the vaccination drive to cover a population of 70 crore by September, arguing that it is essential to get the growth momentum going.

“Herd immunity is accomplished when 80% of the population is immune or less susceptible to infection. The key to regain the momentum of economic recovery is attainment of herd immunity at the earliest possible,” the ministry’s latest monthly economic report said.

The paper estimated that nearly 113 crore doses would be needed by September-end and suggested that to achieve 93 lakh vaccinations a day, the government needed to double the shifts and vaccinate 24x7 during August and September, when supply will also improve.

NOW, BUTTLER & MORGAN FACE HEAT FOR TWEETS ‘MOCKING’ INDIANS

The ghosts of forgotten socialmedia indiscretions returned to haunt England cricket with white-ball captain Eoin Morgan and senior player Jos Buttler facing investigation for “historical tweets” allegedly mocking Indians.

Both cricketers are big IPL draws, with Morgan also captaining the Kolkata Knight Riders. Buttler, the current England vicecaptain, plays for Rajasthan Royals. The posts date back to 2017 and 2018.

The unsavoury development comes in the immediate wake of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) controversial decision to suspend another England cricketer, Ollie Robinson, from international cricket for racist tweets dating back to 2012 and 2013 when the player was a teenager.

The suspension cleaved public opinion and stirred a nationwide debate, with British prime minister Boris Johnson and culture secretary Oliver Dowden terming ESB’s action as “over the top”.

Another established England cricketer and one of the greats of the modern game, fast bowler James Anderson, was also dragged into controversy when a tweet re-emerged from 2010 containing a homophobic reference during a conversation with Stuart Broad.

The ECB is eager to tread cautiously after its decision to suspend Robinson attracted political attention and raised moral and ethical questions on the issue of individuals being taken to task for past misdemeanours on social media.

FENCH OPEN: DJOKOVIC, NADAL TO MEET IN SEMI FINAL

Defending champion Rafael Nadal and last year's runner-up Novak Djokovic were both tested in the French Open quarterfinals on Wednesday, before they came through to set up a 58th career meeting. In the women's draw, Iga Swiatek's title defence came to an end.

Nadal's 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 win over Argentine Diego Schwartzman puts him into his 14th French Open semifinal, extending his record for the most in men's tennis. The second-most is 11 by Djokovic, who got to the mark with his 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 win over Italian Matteo Berrettini.

Djokovic is into his 40th Grand Slam semifinal, the second-most in men's tennis after Roger Federer (45) and ahead of Nadal, who made his 35th major semifinal with his win over Schwartzman.

This year's French Open will be the third women's Grand slam in the Open Era to feature a semifinal without a top-10 seed. The first was Wimbledon 2018 (won by 11th seed Angelique Kerber) and the second was the 2018 US Open (won by 20th seed Naomi Osaka).

Women’s Singles Semi Finals line up:

B.Krejcikova (Unseeded, CZE) vs M.Sakkari (17, GRE)

A.Pavlyuchenkova (31, RUS) vs T.Zidansek (Unseeded, SLO)

INDICATORS

Sensex 51,942 (-334), Nifty 15,635 (-105), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 88739.66

Nasdaq 13,912 (-13) Dow 34,447 (-153), S&P 4,220 (-8)

US$-Rs. 72.86 GBP-Rs. 103.05, Euro-Rs. 88.76, UAE Dhm-Rs.19.83, Can$-Rs. 60.21, Aus$- Rs. 56.38

GBP 0.70 /US$, Euro 0.82 /US$, Jap.Yen 109.50 /US$, Aus$ 1.29 /US$, Sing 1.32 /US$, Bang Taka 83.27 /US$, Can$ 1.20 /US$, Mal Ring 4.11 /US$,

Pak Re 155.37 /US$, Phil Peso 47.71 /US$, Russian Rouble 72.19 /US$, NZ$ 1.39 /US$, Thai Baht 31.11 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 26.88 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 37,239

Dollar Index 90.17 Brent Crude 71.85  BDI 2,481.00

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,888 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,868 / 4,768, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 76,100

INDICATORS

Sensex 51,942 (-334), Nifty 15,635 (-105), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 88739.66

Nasdaq 13,912 (-13) Dow 34,447 (-153), S&P 4,220 (-8)

US$-Rs. 72.86 GBP-Rs. 103.05, Euro-Rs. 88.76, UAE Dhm-Rs.19.83, Can$-Rs. 60.21, Aus$- Rs. 56.38

GBP 0.70 /US$, Euro 0.82 /US$, Jap.Yen 109.50 /US$, Aus$ 1.29 /US$, Sing 1.32 /US$, Bang Taka 83.27 /US$, Can$ 1.20 /US$, Mal Ring 4.11 /US$,

Pak Re 155.37 /US$, Phil Peso 47.71 /US$, Russian Rouble 72.19 /US$, NZ$ 1.39 /US$, Thai Baht 31.11 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 26.88 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 37,239

Dollar Index 90.17 Brent Crude 71.85  BDI 2,481

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,888 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,868 / 4,768, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 76,100

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be. - Abraham H. Maslow

OFF TRACK

“Why are women wearing perfumes that smell like flowers? Men don't like flowers. If a woman really wants to impress a man, she should wear something that smells like a new car interior.”