Actions giving results; no new cases in 25 districts, says govt.
- 25 districts across 15 states have no case reported since the last 14 days and constant vigil is being maintained to ensure that no new cases may occur in future,” Joint Secretary ïn the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said at the daily press briefing.
- The districts include Gondia in Maharashtra, Rajnandgaon, Durg and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, and Davangere, Kodagu, Tumakuru and Udupi in Karnataka.
Centre may raise loan to pay GST dues to States
- The Union government is exploring raising a loan to pay the shortfall of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation amount to the States as the latter have had to ramp up spending to combat the outbreak of COVID-19.
- The idea has been circulated and since the GST Act prohibits withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund, raising loans is being seen as a way out.
Retail inflation eases to 5.91%
- Retail inflation dropped to 5.91% in March from the 6.58% in February, mostly on a drop in food prices, according to the Consumer Price Index data released by the National Statistical Office.
- Spices and prepared food, snacks and sweets were the only food categories that saw a slight increase in prices..
- Retail inflation has been easing off since hitting an almost six year high of 7.59%.
- “With low crude oil prices and sharp slowdown in the economy, CPI inflation is expected to fall further,” said Rajani Sinha, chief economist and head, research, at Knight Frank India.
Free tests only for the poor, clarifies SC
- Free testing for COVID-19 shall continue to be made available to the poor eligible under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
- Free testing would also be made available to any other category of economically weaker sections of society as notified by the government from time to time, the court said.
- Private labs would continue to charge the Indian Council of Medical Research rates of up to ₹4,500 for tests from people who can afford to pay.