India

Mumbai, Mar 23 (PTI) Equity benchmark Sensex sank nearly 3,000 points to hit its lower circuit limit in morning session on Monday, triggering a 45-minute trading freeze as coronavirus-led lockdowns across the world stoked fears of a massive global recession.

After opening 2,718 points lower, the BSE barometer plunged 2,991.85 points or 10 per cent to 26,924.11.

Bhopal, Mar 23 (PTI) Over 35 districts in Madhya Pradesh have so far declared lockdown in view of the growing threat of coronavirus in the state.

Six people in the state have tested positive for the coronavirus so far - one from Bhopal and five from Jabalpur.

Bengaluru, Mar 23 (PTI) Amid rising coronavirus cases, Bengaluru city Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said on Monday those subjected to home quarantine stamping would be arrested if they were found to visit public places.

"5000 Home quarantine stamping was carried to ensure they remain home in public interest", he tweeted.

Bengaluru, Mar 23 (PTI) The Karnataka government on Monday decided to purchase 1,000 ventilators from medical devices company Skanray Technologies and five lakh Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Health Minister B Sriramulu convened a meeting with officials to review the situation in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, and with the Mysuru-based firm through a video conference.

Chandigarh, Mar 23 (PTI) The Punjab government on Monday imposed a curfew to combat coronavirus, making it the first state to take the drastic action after finding that many people were ignoring the lockdown ordered by it.

The authorities are enforcing a state-wide lockdown which came into effect on Monday and will last till March 31.

Rishikesh, Mar 23 (PTI) Defying the statewide lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus threat, a large number of people from Uttarakhand working outside the state held a demonstration after getting stranded here on way to their homes on Monday.

The protest was staged to demand transport facilities from the administration so that they could reach their destinations.

Mangaluru, Mar 23 (PTI) A video being circulated in the social media purportedly of a man infected with Covid-19 at a hospital here is fake, its authorities said.

The video which shows a youth, dressed in pink trousers and wearing a mask, struggling to breathe on a blue hospital bed, had gone viral after which the Wenlock hospital issued a clarification.

New Delhi, Mar 23 (PTI) Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2020, without any discussion on Monday as the House curtailed its sittings in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

More than 40 amendments were introduced by the government to the Finance Bill, which was moved for consideration and passing by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Lucknow, Mar 23 (PTI) People rushed to buy essential commodities and police stepped up their presence as a three-day lockdown began in 16 Uttar Pradesh districts on Monday to fight the spread of coronavirus

After the Janta curfew on Sunday, people in some areas were seen coming out to stock up on groceries. Some complained that traders had hiked the prices of vegetables.

Bhopal, Mar 23 (PTI) The oath-taking ceremony of the new BJP ministry in Madhya Pradesh will take place on Monday, official sources said.

The ceremony will be held at the Raj Bhawan at 9 pm, the sources told PTI.

The BJP legislature party meeting will be held around 7 pm to elect the legislature party leader.

Congress veteran Kamal Nath resigned as chief minister recently, paving the way for formation of the BJP-led government.