New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be vaccinated in the second phase of the Covid inoculation drive launched last week, sources said today. All Chief Ministers, MPs and MLAs above 50 will also receive vaccines.
The vaccine drive was launched on January 16 with healthcare workers and others at the frontline of the coronavirus fight receiving jabs of two vaccines - Serum Institute of India's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.
Many states are struggling to meet targets and hesitancy to take vaccines and the fear of side effects are seen to be part of the reason.
In the second phase, it is the turn of those above 50 and people with comorbidities to take shots.
Here are the Highlights :
Jan 21, 2021 20:13 (IST)
"Distressing": Rahul Gandhi on fire at Serum Institute of India
"While it's distressing to learn of the tragic loss of lives in the fire incident at Serum Institute, the news of another fire is extremely worrying. My condolences to the family of the deceased. I request the state government to provide necessary help to the victims and their families," said tweeted Rahul Gandhi.
Jan 21, 2021 20:07 (IST)
Coronavirus: 4,200 health workers in Noida expected to get COVID-19 vaccine on Jan 22
Over 4,000 health workers are expected to be vaccinated against the coronavirus on Friday in the second round of the first phase of the COVID-19 inoculation drive in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar district, officials said.
The vaccination drive will be held at 14 centres, including some private hospitals, in the district from 9 am to 5 pm, Additional Chief Medical Officer (ACMO) Dr Neeraj Tyagi said.
There are 42 vaccination sites across the 14 centres, he said.
"This time 4,200 health workers have been selected for vaccination. A target of 100 workers at each of the 42 sites selected for the inoculation," Mr Tyagi told PTI.
Jan 21, 2021 16:54 (IST)
''Centre destroying federal structure'', says Akali Dal leader
''Centre destroying federal structure'', says Akali Dal leader
Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central Government for allegedly holding back the Rural Development Fund for Punjab, Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Prem Singh Chandumajra on Thursday said the Centre's actions indicate a move towards the ''destruction of the federal structure''.
Speaking to ANI, Chandumajra said, "We have political differences with Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. But we will never accept Central Government holding back the Rural Development Fund due for the State."
Terming the stopping of Rural Development Fund allocation to Punjab as ''unconstitutional'' he said, "Our party believes that we are moving towards a unitary system. These are the indicators of moving towards a Presidential form of government from the Parliament system."
Jan 21, 2021 15:33 (IST)
Fire At Serum Institute, Covishield Production Won't Be Hit: Sources
A fire broke out today at at a building, which was under construction, at the Serum Institute of India in Pune. It is unlikely to affect the production of Covishield, the coronavirus vaccine developed by the SII in partnership with the Oxford University and British-Swedish pharma firm AstraZeneca.
The facility where the fire broke out is a few minutes drive from the production facility, as per sources.
Jan 21, 2021 14:16 (IST)
BS Yediyurappa Assigns Portfolios In New Karnataka Cabinet
A week after expanding his cabinet, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa today allocated portfolios to the seven new inductees and also effected a reshuffle of the departments of some ministers.
Among the new ministers, Umesh Katti gets the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs while S Angara has been given Fisheries, Ports and Inland Transport.
Murugesh Nirani will be the Mines and Geology minister and Arvind Limbavali gets Forest Department, according to an official gazette notification issued in this regard with the consent of the Governor.
Among the others, R Shankar gets Municipal Administration and Sericulture portfolio while MTB Nagaraj would be the Excise Minister and CP Yogeshwar in charge of Minor Irrigation department.
Jan 21, 2021 12:23 (IST)
Sensex Hits 50,000 For First Time, Nifty Above 14,700, Led By Reliance Industries
The S&P BSE Sensex moved above 50,000 mark for the first on Thursday, led by gains in Reliance Industries after the market regulator SEBI approved Reliance Industries' ₹ 24,713-crore deal to buy Future Group's retail assets, in a blow to Amazon's efforts to block the agreement. The BSE also granted its "no adverse observation" report after the deal clearance from the market regulator, with some riders. The Sensex rose as much as 335 points to hit an all-time high of 50,126.73 and Nifty 50 index also moved 14,700 mark for the first time.
