NEWS

With the Covid-19 scenario improving with steady decline in active cases across the country, the Centre has asked states to review the trend and lift additional curbs to allow smooth movement and facilitate economic activities.

“Presently, as the case trajectory is showing a sustained downward trend, it’ll be useful if states/UTs review and amend/do away with additional restrictions so imposed after considering trend of new cases, active cases and positivity within state and UT,” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in a letter to states and UTs on Tuesday.

A housing society built by state-owned NBCC in Gurgaon has been declared unsafe. The society, that has 700 flats, will now be demolished, Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram Nishant Yadav announced today. The district administration confirmed "structural and construction lapses" at the Sector 37 D-based NBCC Green View society, where the residents have been asked to vacate by March 1.

Yadav said the Government of India enterprise will provide alternate accommodation to the residents. It will also provide rent for those willing to move to flats of their choice with the same parameters, he said.

An exhortation to voters by Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi to keep out “all the UP, Bihar and Delhi de bhaiye”, uttered to claps of approval from “Punjaban” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Wednesday led his political rivals to slam the poll pitch as being inherently divisive and an insult to the state's migrant population.

In a video clip of Channi’s speech at Ropar on Tuesday that has since gone viral, he is heard saying in Punjabi, “Priyanka Gandhi is the daughter-in-law of Punjab, she is of Punjab. All Punjabis must get together to oust those from UP, Bihar and Delhi who come here to rule”.

Reservation of jobs for natives is already an emotive poll issue, with Congress batting for a 100% quota and BJP's manifesto promising 75% local reservation in state government vacancies and 50% in the private sector.

The ongoing Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections went ‘south’ (pun intended) when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had warned the people of UP that the state would become Kerala, Kashmir, or Bengal if they do not vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the polls.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was quick to pick this up and criticised his counterpart, saying the latter would be afraid if Uttar Pradesh became like Kerala, as it would enjoy the best education, healthcare facilities and “people won't be murdered in the name of religion and caste”.

He tweeted, "If UP turns into Kerala as @myogiadityanath fears, it will enjoy the best education, health services, social welfare, living standards and have a harmonious society in which people won't be murdered in the name of religion and caste. That's what the people of UP would want."