Coronavirus Lockdown in India HIGHLIGHTS | The problem of the movement of migrant labourers seems to be only aggravating in India, particularly after the recent accidents with them in about a week's time. On Saturday, as many as 24 migrant laboureres have been reported dead in a major road mishap in Uttar Pradesh's Auraiya , while several have been injured. Previously, two major road accidents took place in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh which killed several migrant labourers on their way home.

Cases of coronavirus in India have soared past the official tally of its neighbour China which was also the origin of Covid 19. According to data, India has 85949 cases whereas reports say that China has over 82000 cases.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman completed all the three phases of her press conference, as she detailed out the third tranche of government's economic package focussing on agriculture and allied activities. Her first briefing was largely about the relief measures for poor, MSMEs and salaried individuals. On Friday, Sitharaman announced 11 measures focussing on agriculture and allied activities, of which 8 related to strengthening infrastructure, capacities and building better logistics, while the rest 3 pertained to governance and administrative reforms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a massive financial package of Rs 20 lakh crore to revive, reform and make the country self-reliant, while at the same time welcoming foreign capital and strengthening of supply chains .Besides, the Prime Minister announced stimulus measures which will take the total amount announced by the Ministry of Finance and the RBI to a total of Rs 20 lakh crore or 10 per cent of the GDP. The Prime Minister also announced the fourth extension of the nationwide lockdown starting from May 18. He said that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will elaborate on the allotment of the financial package which is equal to 10% of India's GDP. He also pitched for the use of products manufactured in the country, saying the novel coronavirus outbreak has taught us the importance of local manufacturing, local market and local supply chain.





(Disclaimer: The numbers of Covid-19 cases and fatilities have been taken from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.)