Himachal Pradesh shuts down all educational institutes till May 1 amid COVID-19 scare

Voting begins for the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls. Over 3.48 lakh candidates are in the fray for over 2.23 lakh posts in 20 districts, including state capital Lucknow and Varanasi.

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New Delhi: Voting began for the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls. The polling for the second phase was held from 7 am to 6 pm. Over 3.48 lakh candidates are in the fray for over 2.23 lakh posts in 20 districts, including state capital Lucknow and Varanasi.

The districts which went to polls today were Amroha, Azamgarh, Etawah, Etah, Kannauj, Gonda, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Chitrakoot, Pratapgarh, Budaun, Baghpat, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Mainpuri, Maharajganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lalitpur and Sultanpur.

In other developments, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda held numerous raillies and roadshows in the poll-bound areas of West Bengal today. 

Additionally, in view of the ever-rising COVID-19 cases in the national capital, the Delhi High Court on Sunday (April 18) announced that it will only hear the urgent matters filed in the year 2021 from Monday (April 19) onwards. No routine or non-urgent matters will be taken up for hearing for now, an official statement read.

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19 April 2021

23:06 PM

COVID-19: Kerala government imposes curfew between 9 pm and 5 am from April 20; essential services exempted. "Tuition centers shall only function through online medium and should not hold physical classes," the order reads. (ANI input)

22:39 PM

In view of the imposition of 6-day lockdown in Delhi, all categories of employees of Rajya Sabha Secretariat may, subject to exigencies of work in office, work from home between April 20 and April 23: Rajya Sabha Secretariat (ANI input)

21:20 PM

The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered closure of all educational institutes till May 1 after a review meeting chaired by CM Jai Ram Thakur over COVID-19 situation. (ANI input)

20:26 PM

Britain has added India to travel 'red list' amid COVID-19 surge, reports AFP. 

20:16 PM

Sale of platform ticket to stop at all stations in Delhi division immediately to avoid a rush of people at the stations: Deepak Kumar, CPRO, Northern Railway (ANI input)

20:02 PM

The Uttar Pradesh government has extended the night curfew in Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) till April 30 in view of the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases. 

20:00 PM

"In the interest of public health and containment of the spread of COVID-19 in the state, weekend shutdown on Saturday and Sunday in all urban areas of the State with effect from April 24," said Odisha Additional Chief Secretary and SRC Pradeep Jena.  (ANI input) 

19:52 PM

Summer vacations rescheduled, to be from 20th April to 9th June in all government, government-aided and unaided recognised schools: Delhi Government (ANI input)

19:38 PM

"Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao tests positive for COVID-19. He has mild symptoms. He has been advised isolation. A team of doctors is monitoring his health," State Chief Secretary was quoted as saying by ANI. 

19:15 PM

Govt of India announces liberalised and accelerated Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination from May 1; everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get vaccine.  (ANI input)

Govt of India announces liberalised & accelerated Phase 3 strategy of COVID-19 vaccination from May 1; everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get vaccine

18:57 PM

West Bengal Assembly elections 2021: State president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says he has decided that no star campaigner of the party will hold any big public meeting in view of COVID-19. 

18:53 PM

Telangana High Court directs the state government to take a call on imposing lockdown or curfew over the spread of COVID-19 in the state in the next 48 hours.

18:39 PM

Former PM Manmohan Singh tests positive for COVID-19, admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre in Delhi: AIIMS Official as quoted by ANI. 

Former PM Manmohan Singh tests positive for COVID19, admitted to AIIMS Trauma Centre in Delhi: AIIMS Official

(file photo) pic.twitter.com/zZtbd6POWd

— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2021

18:32 PM

Keeping in mind the current COVID-19 situation, Ram Navami will be celebrated at the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi complex, Ayodhya without devotees, said Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra. (ANI input) 

Keeping in mind the current COVID19 situation, Ram Navami will be celebrated at the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi complex, Ayodhya without devotees: Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra pic.twitter.com/JMqfRswtax

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 19, 2021

18:28 PM

It's not that we aren't prioritizing our people...But if you ask why are you exporting at all, somebody will ask-why am I exporting to India? That is so short-sighted. Only really irresponsible people can make that kind of argument: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on people questioning vaccine export. (ANI input)

17:49 PM

The Allahabad High Court has ordered lockdown in five Uttar Pradesh cities including Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur and Varanasi till April 26, with only essential services allowed. 

17:42 PM

Night curfew to be imposed from 9 PM to 6 AM in Kerala from Tuesday, PTI quoted government sources as saying. 

16:47 PM

"Due to heavy COVID-19 situation in the country starting from April 19, 2021 the Russian Embassy's visa section temporarily cease its operations until further notice (sic)," tweeted Russia in India, the official handle of Russian Embassy, on Monday. 

16:44 PM

Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to provide food to daily wagers at their worksite and to utilise the service of mid-day meal contractors. The High Court also expressed concern on the rise of COVID-19 cases, saying "it is evident that the healthcare infrastructure is at the stage of imminent collapse". (ANI input)

16:05 PM

"With folded hands, I request Election Commission to hold three phases of polls on a single day or in two days. Please don't play with the lives of people," said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Chakulia, Uttar Dinajpur, reiterating her demand to conclude the rest of the polling in a single day amid alarming surge in coronavirus cases. 

15:30 PM

Samajwadi Party patriarch and founder Mulayam Singh Yadav did not cast his vote in panchayat elections in his native Saifai village on Monday (April 19) following a request from family members in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to family sources, the 81-year-old so far has never missed voting in any election. (PTI reported) 

14:46 PM

Today PM Narendra Modi will interact with leading doctors from across the country via video conferencing on the COVID-19 situation, at 4:30 pm.

At 6 pm, he will hold a video conference with top pharma companies in the country.

14:45 PM

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday (April 19) cancelled a planned trip to India, scheduled to take place next week, due to the current coronavirus situation in India, Johnson's office said.

13:55 PM

Been writing to Mamata Banerjee for her consent but all in vain. You're a woman CM. What's the problem with fast-track courts for sexual offences against children?: Law Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad in Kolkata

13:55 PM

Fast-track courts established across country for fast-tracking cases of sexual offences against children, wherein Centre provides 50% funds & remaining states do. 123 fast-track courts sanctioned for Bengal: Law Minister & BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad

12:24 PM

"In the last 24 hours, around 23,500 cases were reported. In last 3-4 days, around 25,000 cases have been reported. Positivity rate&infection have increased. If 25,000 patients come every day then system will crumble, there's a shortage of beds,": said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

#WATCH| In the last 24 hours, around 23,500 cases were reported. In last 3-4 days, around 25,000 cases have been reported. Positivity rate&infection have increased. If 25,000 patients come every day then system will crumble, there's a shortage of beds:Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/P3xEszFkke

— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2021

12:23 PM

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday (April 19, 2021) took a big decision to break the transmission of coronavirus in the national capital. CM Kejriwal announced that Delhi will be put under complete curfew from April 19 midnight till April 26 morning.

"Delhi is facing the fourth wave of COVID-19...25,000 cases have been reported now. Delhi's health system has reached its limits. I don't say that the system has collapsed but it has reached its limits," said Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

11:11 AM

A makeshift hospital being set up by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) at Avadh Shilpgram in Lucknow is likely to have their own oxygen supply with the help of a technology that is used in the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter jets.

Union Defence Minister and Lucknow MP, Rajnath Singh, had sent a team of DRDO officials to the state capital last week to start the process for setting up of hospitals at Haj House and Golden Blossoms resort.

11:08 AM

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami was hospitalised in Chennai on Monday (April 19) for treatment for hernia, as per official sources. (PTI)

11:05 AM

CM Mamata Banerjee addresses media over COVID-19 preparations in the state. "With massive surge in COVID-19 cases across India, Government of West Bengal is taking all necessary steps to protect its people. I have reached out to the PM to help us with additional medicines & vaccines required," said CM Mamata Banerjee. 

"I've also directed all top officials to make elaborate arrangements & step up their efforts at every level to deal with COVID-19 situation in West Bengal. Chief Secretary along with key officials will be doing a Press conference at 2 PM to discuss details of the plan, " said West Bengal Chief Minister. 

11:05 AM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair an important meeting on the COVID-19 related situation at 11:30 am today.

09:01 AM

People cast their vote for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls in Greater Noida. 

Greater Noida: People cast their vote for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls. Visuals from a polling booth in Bisahda village. pic.twitter.com/fFBgpbL4Pd

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 19, 2021

09:00 AM

CM Nitish Kumar condoles the demise of Mewalal Choudhary. CM Nitish Kumar says, "his demise is saddening and an irreplaceable loss in the field of education and politics. His last rites will be performed with full state honours."

08:23 AM

People queue up to cast vote for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls in Varanasi.

Varanasi: People queue up to cast vote for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls. Visuals from Koirajpur Primary School, that has been designated as a polling booth. pic.twitter.com/FUu2QVh7x4

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 19, 2021

08:21 AM

Voting underway for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls: 

Voting underway for the second phase of Uttar Pradesh Panchayat polls. Visuals from Asgari Pur Primary School in Amroha where people queue up as they await their turn to cast vote. pic.twitter.com/Q8hZRmmTGt

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 19, 2021

07:45 AM

Mewalal Choudhary, JDU MLA and former minister, passes away due to COVID-19 at a hospital in Patna, Bihar.

Bihar: Mewalal Choudhary, JDU MLA and former minister, passes away due to #COVID19 at a hospital in Patna.

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/sQFFyBHU0X

— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2021

07:20 AM

"Mamata Banerjee will not campaign in Kolkata anymore. There will be only one 'symbolic' meeting on the last day of campaigning in the city on April 26. She has restricted election rallies' time in all districts to 30 minutes," said TMC leader Derek O'Brien.

07:16 AM

Delhi High Court will only hear the urgent matters filed in the year 2021 from Monday (April 19) onwards. No routine or non-urgent matters will be taken up for hearing for now, an official statement read.

07:16 AM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda will hold numerous raillies and roadshows in the poll-bound areas of West Bengal today. 

07:15 AM

Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls: The districts which will go to polls today are Amroha, Azamgarh, Etawah, Etah, Kannauj, Gonda, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Chitrakoot, Pratapgarh, Budaun, Baghpat, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Mainpuri, Maharajganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lalitpur and Sultanpur.

07:14 AM

Voting for the second phase of the Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls has began on Monday (April 19) with more than 3.48 lakh candidates in the fray for over 2.23 lakh posts in 20 districts. Voting will be held from 7 am to 6 pm with over 3.23 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise. The second phase assumes significance as state capital Lucknow and Varanasi will go to polls in this round.