India

New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI) The Delhi High Court has declined to interfere with the Centre and Air India's decision to operate chartered flights to repatriate foreign nationals to their respective countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A bench of justices J R Midha and Jyoti Singh was of the view that the Centre and the national carrier have taken measures such as issuing protection kits to the pilots and crew of the flights to protect them from the novel coronavirus.

New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI) All postal employees, including Gramin Dak Sevaks, will get Rs 10 lakh compensation in case they succumb to COVID-19, the government said on Saturday.

The postal services come under essential services and apart from regular services, the post offices are also delivering food packets, rations and essential medicines, among others, across the country by liasioning with local administration and police.

New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi thanked the government on Saturday for amending the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy after his warning on takeover of Indian companies by foreign players during the COVID-19 crisis.

"I thank the Government for taking note of my warning and amending the FDI norms to make it mandatory for Government approval in some specific cases," he wrote on Twitter.

New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday urged the government to transfer cash and distribute free food grains to the poor, saying only a heartless government will not do anything.

He said more and more people have run out of cash and are standing in queues for free cooked food.

Patna, Apr 18 (PTI) All Bihar government departments will start functioning from April 20, a General Administration Department (GAD) order said.

All government officers of Group A and B will be present in the office on all working days while 33 per cent of Group C employees and those on contract will be present in the office of their total strength, the GAD order said.

All officers and government employees will have to follow the national guideline issued to contain COVID-19.

Chandigarh, Apr 18 (PTI) Rains that lashed several places in Punjab in the last 24 hours have triggered fear among farmers that the standing wheat crop would get damaged.

According to farmers, the rains have also "exposed the tall claims" of the state authorities for making a foolproof arrangement for saving crops at mandis from showers.

Hailstorm hit fields in Muktsar district on Friday, an official said, adding that the assessment of crop loss in affected areas was done.

KANPUR: Sunday's temperature rests at 40 degrees Celsius with cloudy sky. There was felt the need of air-conditioned appliance but its use was wrong in view of the virus incursion. 

The medical experts have made sufficient suggestions to strictly avoid AC in order to simply beat the weather heat. 

The people have even accepted valuable advice as several houses having the very facility of the air cooling gadgets are not bringing its use. They think that life is more important than taking dry air of the modern-day equipment.

Chandigarh, Apr 19 (PTI) Sand and gravel mining and stone crushing have been permitted as part of the construction-related activities in Punjab from Monday, according to the state home department.

Also in view of the new academic session, shops dealing in distribution of books to school and college students have also been allowed to operate, as per an official release here.

Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI) SpiceJet has decided to send employees earning more than Rs 50,000 per month on leave without pay on a rotational basis, sources said on Sunday amid flight services remaining suspended till May 3.

This arrangement would be in place for three months, they added.

Shimla, Apr 18 (PTI) Twenty-nine policemen were quarantined in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district on Saturday after a man, who engaged in an altercation with them at a checkpost a few days ago, tested positive for coronavirus, an official said.

Thirteen policemen were posted in Halti Barrier, 11 in Sihunta police station and five homeguard jawans in Sihunta of Chamba district, Director General of Police Sita Ram Mardi said.