In the wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra Government has imposed strict lockdown like restrictions in the state for the next 15 days starting 8 pm tomorrow till 7 am of 1st May.

This was announced by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in his public address this evening. The CM said that these restrictions are necessary, however, he will not call it a lockdown.

The restrictions are as follows:-

1. Section 144 will be imposed in the state from tomorrow. Nobody will step out of the house unless necessary. All establishments, public places, activities to remain closed.

2. Only essential services will be open from 7 am to 8 pm.

3. Public transport will be open, but only people involved in essential services can use it.

4. petrol pumps, financial institutions associated with SEBI and construction work to continue

5. Hotel/ restaurants to remain closed only take-away, home deliveries allowed.

In the wake of the above restrictions to aid the need, poor people will be given 2kgs of wheat and 3 kgs of rice for a month. Also, "Shiv Bhojan" by the state government will be given for free. Certain funds has also been also be announced for poor people affected by lockdown under schemes of central and state government.

Tamil Nadu today reported 6,984 new COVID-19 cases. Of these, Chennai alone reported 2,482 cases.

Today:-

Recoveries - 3,289

Deaths - 18

Till date:-

Active cases - 49,985

Total recoveries - 8,84,199

Death toll  - 12,945

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) today approved the acquisition of 89.6 per cent of equity shareholding of Gangavaram Port Limited (GPL) by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones Limited (APSEZ).

The proposed combination will lead to the acquisition of 89.6 per cent of the shareholding in GPL (i.e., the entity operating Gangavaram port) by APSEZ.

APSEZ is an integrated port infrastructure services provider currently having its presence across 11 domestic ports in six maritime states of Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.

GPL is engaged to own, develop and operate the deep-water port at Gangavaram, Andhra Pradesh, pursuant to a concession agreement on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer basis with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The agreement is valid for a concession period of thirty years from the date of commercial operations and entitled for a further period of 20 years (two periods of 10 years each).

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has secured Euro 68.87 million (Rs 600 cr) loan from Germany-based Deutsche Bank for onward lending to cooperatives in the country.

An agreement was signed between NCDC and the German Bank in connection with this in the presence of the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in New Delhi today. The Minister also presided over the signing of an agreement between the Indian Chamber of Commerce and NCDC to boost farmers linkages with markets.

The Agriculture Minister said that the Farmer Producer Organizations being established in the country would be able to access easier credit and market through the NCDC agreements with ICC and Deutsche Bank, which will help small and marginal farmers.

This is for the first time that one of the largest European banks in the world is lending to the NCDC, thus reflecting the confidence of the global financial institution in the Indian development finance institution, an official release stated.

Kerala Government has issued new restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19.

According to the new rules:-

- Maximum 100 people are permitted to gather at indoor events.

- Maximum 200 persons are allowed at outdoor functions.

- Shops to close by 9 pm.

- Religious leaders need to persuade to avoid community gatherings (Iftar party).

- Malls, theatres need to restrict occupancy.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today virtually inaugurated e-SANTA, an electronic marketplace providing a platform to connect aqua farmers and buyers.

The electronic platform will enable the farmers to get a better price and the exporters to directly purchase quality products from the farmers enhancing traceability, a key factor in international trade. The term e-SANTA means Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers' Trade in Aquaculture. National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) is an extension arm of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Govt. of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Goyal said that e-SANTA will raise income, lifestyle, self-reliance, quality levels, traceability, and provide new options for our aqua farmers. He said that the platform will change the traditional way of carrying out business from a word of mouth basis to become more formalised and legally binding. He said that e-SANTA will RAISE the lives and income of farmers by:

• Reducing Risk
• Awareness of Products & Markets
• Increase in Income
• Shielding Against Wrong Practice
• Ease of Processes
•  
• e-SANTA is a completely paperless and end-to-end electronic trade platform between Farmers and exporters. The farmers have the freedom to list their produce and quote their price while the exporters have the freedom to list their requirements and also to choose the products based on their requirements such as desired size, location, harvest dates etc. This enables the farmers and buyers to have greater control over the trade and enables them to make informed decisions. 

Union Minister Santosh Gangwar has tested positive for COVID-19.

Informing the same through a tweet today, he said, 

"I want to let you know that my Corona test Report is positive. I do not have any kind of symptom, request that everyone who comes in contact with me, please follow the Corona safety rules. Together we will overcome this epidemic. Thank you."

India has reported 1,61,736 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours.

Further details:-

Last 24 hours:-

Discharges - 97,168

Deaths - 879

Till today:-

Active cases: 12,64,698

Total recoveries: 1,22,53,697

Death toll: 1,71,058

Total vaccination: 10,85,33,085

The President has appointed Mr Sushil Chandra the senior-most Election Commissioner, as the Chief Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of India.

Mr Sushil Chandra will assume the charge of the office of the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from today (13th April 2021).

Mr Chandra is succeeding Mr Sunil Arora who demitted the Office of the Chief Election Commissioner yesterday.

A notification in this regard was issued by Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice yesterday.

Tamil Nadu today reported 6,711 new COVID-19 cases. Of these, Chennai alone reported 2,105 cases.

On 12th April 2021:-

Recoveries - 2,339

Deaths - 19

Till 12th April 2021:-

Active cases - 46,308

Total recoveries - 8,80,910

Death toll  - 12,927