Government prohibits supply of Non-Essential Items through e-Commerce under Lockdown Restrictions to fight COVID-19

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order to exempt certain activities under the consolidated revised guidelines to all Ministries/Departments (), regarding the Nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19. Under the above consolidated revised guidelines, it is clarified that, e-commerce companies supplying essential goods have been exempted from lockdown restrictions. Further, vehicles used by e-commerce companies,…

CSIR-NAL develop Personal Protective Coverall Suit to Combat COVID-19

CSIR constituent Lab in Bengaluru, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), along with MAF Clothing Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru has developed and certified the overall protective coverall suit. The polyproplylene spun laminated multi-layered non-woven fabric based coverall can be used to ensure the safety of Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical staff and Health Care workers working round the clock on…

Defence PSUs, OFB ramp up their resources to fight COVID-19 pandemic

Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) have played their part in assisting civilian administration in fight against COVID-19 pandemic. These vital institutions of Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence have channelised all their resources, technical knowhow and manpower to help the nation mitigate the deadly virus. Following are some…

Compensation of Rs.10 lakhs to all Postal employees

The Department of Posts comes under essential services and reiterated at   para -11 (iii) of MHA OM No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 15.04.2020. The  Postal employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks are performing various duties  to provide customers mail delivery, Post Office Saving Bank, Postal Life Insurance,  the ease of money withdrawal at his/her doorstep from any bank and…

All existing Visas granted to Foreigners to remain suspended till 3rd May, 2020

In the wake of continuing COVID-19 outbreak in the country, Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to extend the suspension of all existing visas granted to foreigners, except to those belonging to diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment and project categories, till 3rd May, 2020. MHA has further directed that all incoming passenger traffic into…

COVID-19 – Central Government Salaries and Pension will not be affected – Finance Ministry

Finance Ministry responded to news in social media on Cut in Central Government Employees Salary and Pensions – As per Tweet by Finance Ministry news related to cut in pension in view of COVID-19 related cash management instructions is false and Salaries and Pension will not be affected

COVID-19 – Govt orders Full Refund of air fare booked during the lockdown period

COVID-19 – Director General of Civil Aviation issued specific orders for all Airlines in India to release Full Refund of air fare booked during the both lockdown periods i.e from 25.03.2020 to 14th April 2020 and 15th April 2020 and 3rd May 2020 if the Fllight Trips have been booked during the COVID-19 Lockdown periods

DD and AIR broadcast Educational content/Virtual Classes

India’s Public Broadcaster has been helping students with their studies amidst ongoing lockdown. In collaboration with various State Government institutions, Doordarshan and All India Radio are broadcasting virtual classes and other educational content through their regional channels across the country on TV, Radio and YouTube. In the absence of school classes, these virtual classes are…

4 Months’ Rental Waiver given to the IT Companies Operating from Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Centers

In view of the challenges thrown by COVID19 outbreak and consequent lockdown, the Government today took a major decision to provide relief from payment of rental to the small IT units operating out of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).  Most of these units are either Tech MSMEs or startups. The Ministry of Electronics…

DRDO Introduces two new products to enable COVID-19 disinfection process

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in its continuous quest to contribute towards fight against COVID-19, has been developing several solutions from its existing arsenal of technologies and experience. These consist of innovations and quickly configuring the products for present requirements. Today DRDO has introduced two products which can enhance the operations at public places…

RBI announces measures to preserve financial stability and help put money in the hands of the needy and disadvantaged

“…In the midst of death life persists, in the midst of untruth truth persists, in the midst of darkness light persists.” – Mahatma Gandhi, during his famous Kingsley Hall, London address in October 1931. It is with these words that the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Shaktikanta Das began his statement, wherein he announced…

MHA issues Advisory on Secure use of ZOOM Meeting Platform

The Cyber Coordination Centre (CyCord), under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has issued an advisory on secure use of ZOOM Meeting Platform by private individuals. This advisory states that the platform is not for use by Government officers/officials for official purposes. The document makes reference to earlier advisories of the Indian Computer Emergency…