Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Facebook post that the SLBC has decided to take steps to see how best they can come to the relief of all those who have taken loans.
In the context of Covid-19 pandemic, bankers in Kerala are ready to allow a moratorium on repayment of loans from MSMEs, impacted by the fall in trade and business. The moratorium is likely to be fixed for six months or one year.
The State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), which met on Tuesday, has decided to recommend the clamping of moratorium to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). “We are aware of the gravity of the situation and will advocate that we should go easy on the repayments for a while,” Ajith Krishnan, convenor, SLBC, told FE. “Both the Union government and RBI are likely to be sympathetic to the issue and give nod to the recommendation,” he said.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Facebook post that the SLBC has decided to take steps to see how best they can come to the relief of all those who have taken loans. On Monday, the CM had held consultations with SLBC, seeking interest waivers and repayment moratorium to all kinds of loans, including MSME sector, agricultural loans, housing loans, educational loans and motor loans.
Currently, the bank loan moratorium is permissible only to 12 types of natural disaster. But, Covid-19, which WHO (World Health Organisation) listed as a pandemic, is yet to figure in this list of 12. All the same, since the Centre has recognised it as a disaster, the proposal is unlikely to be rejected.
With Kerala reporting 30 confirmed Coronavirus cases, the public-health conscious state had gone into a tailspin of people confining themselves to homes, in a large scale. Beaches, parks and shopping malls are mostly deserted. Although the CM appealed to the public not to keep away from their regular shops, since it would affect the livelihoods of traders, there are apprehensions in the air. Shop owners and restaurants say business is down by about 50% this week.
In an interesting development, a Bengali carpenter named Ijarul, who had left Kerala due to the outbreak of deadly novel-coronavirus, has become a millionaire after winning a lottery ticket, reportsIndia Today.
Ijarul, who hails from Mirzapur town in Beldanga, West Bengal, was compelled to leave Kerala, where he worked as a carpenter. At first, he was worried about putting food in the plates for the family.
However, the anticipated hard times now has changed for Ijarul.
As per reports, Ijarul was the star of his area, with people visiting his unplastered two-room house, where he stays with his wife, three children and his parents. The family seems to be rejoicing the fact that now he would not have to be away from them for work.
Ijarul wants to build a new house and wishes to start a new business with the money.
India’s death toll rose to five on Sunday, with a second death reported in a Mumbai hospital. With multiple new positive cases reported from various parts of the country, India’s tally stands currently at 334 as on March 22. Delhi CM said that the capital may face lockdown if situation worsens. Maharashtra remains the worst-affected in India, with 10 more cases reported on Sunday. Meanwhile, the PM urged people to follow Janta Curfew on March 22, and stay at home in order to combat coronavirus.
22-03-2020 at 11.00 AM
Another COVID-19 patient dies in Mumbai; India reports five casualties
A 63-year-old coronavirus patient died in Mumbai on Sunday, taking the toll in Maharashtra to two, a health official said. The man was admitted to the HN Reliance Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday.
The Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation in a statement said the patient had chronic history of diabetes, high blood pressure and ischemic heart disease.
He developed acute respiratory distress syndrome leading to his death, the statement said.
11 AM | NOIDA
Cluster sealed in Greater Noida after COVID patient detected
A cluster comprising of commercial establishments and several housing societies was sealed in Greater Noida on Sunday after a COVID-19 positive patient was detected in the area.
An order issued by B.N Singh, District Magistrate of Gautambuddh Nagar said that all blocks and residential societies in Alpha-1 sector shall remain temporarily sealed from 10 a.m. March 22 (Sunday) till 7 a.m. March 24.
The order said that the decision was taken after a person residing in B-Block at Alpha 1 was detected COVID-19 positive.
Any kind of movement by people and vehicles, except for emergency purposes have been prohibited in the area.
22-03-2020 at 10.45AM
Coronavirus: Mizoram announces statewide shutdown till March 29
The Mizoram government on Saturday ordered a “partial lockdown” across all districts of the state till March 29 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a notification.
At 10.40AM
263 Indian students rescued from Rome, reach Delhi
The special Air India flight carrying 263 Indian students that took off from Rome landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport today at 9.15 am. After the Delhi Customs provides clearance to these passengers at a remote bay and undergoing immigration and temperature checks at the airport, they will be taken to the quarantine facility in Chhawla.
10.30 AM | KARNATAKA
33-year-old man who came from Australia tests positive
A 33-year-old person who had arrived in Dharwad from Australia has been tested positive for COVID-19.
Deputy Commissioner M. Deepa confirmed that he was the 21st case to be reported from Karnataka.
9.40 AM | HYDERABAD
Prabhas in self-quarantine after returning from film’s shoot abroad
Actor Prabhas has announced that he is in self-quarantine in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a short statement posted on Twitter, the Baahubali actor said he recently returned from Georgia after completing a film’s shoot and therefore decided to keep himself insolation.
“On safely returning from my shoot abroad, in light of increasing risks of COVID-19, I have decided to self-quarantine. Hope you all are also taking the necessary precautions to be safe,” Prabhas tweeted on Saturday.
The actor is currently working on filmmaker Radha Krishna Kumar’s untitled film, which also features Pooja Hedge.
8.20 A.M | PUNJAB
Punjab orders lockdown in few districts
Amid rising number of COVID-19 cases, the Punjab government has ordered a lockdown in few districts till March 25 including Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr), Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Jalandhar.
Punjab Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, in a statement said that ”establishments in districts of Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur have been closed while the partial lockdown has been ordered in Jalandhar with effect from 7 a.m. on March 22 up to midnight of March 25 by the District Magistrate. Likewise, it has also been advised to close down establishments in district Kapurthala from March 23 as a precautionary measures.”
7.30 AM | RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan announces complete lockdown till March 31
In a late night decision, the Rajasthan government on March 21 announced a complete lockdown of the State till March 31 to contain the spread of coronavirus. All government and private offices, malls, shops, factories and public transport across the State will remain closed in the duration, while Rajasthan’s borders with other States will be sealed.
Only essential and medical services will be exempted from the lockdown, according to the orders issued after the decision was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at his residence. Mr. Gehlot said it was necessary for people to “stay indoors” to fight the pandemic.
22-03-2020 at 7.20AM
Stay home for three months, UK tells 1.5 million most at risk
Those with underlying health conditions such as bone or blood cancers, cystic fibrosis, or who have had an organ transplant have been advised by health officials to do all they can to shield themselves from the virus, including confining themselves at home for a long period.
“People should stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives,” Communities secretary Robert Jenrick said in a statement.
22-01-2020 at 7.00AM
Farooq Abdullah gives Rs 1 crore to combat COVID-19 on J&K
NC president Farooq Abdullah and party leader Hasnain Masoodi released an amount of Rs one crore each from their MPLAD funds to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir.
Of the said amount, Rs 50 lakh has been earmarked for SKIMS, Srinagar while Rs 25 lakh each will be allotted to the Budgam and Ganderbal districts in central Kashmir.
Party president and MP Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah today released an amount of Rs 1 Cr to combat #COVID19 threat in J&K from his MPLAD. Out of this, Rs 50 lakh has been earmarked for SKIMS Srinagar and Rs 25 lakh each for Budgam and Ganderbal districts. pic.twitter.com/faUhZuJfYZ
Kerala CM urges Centre to bring back Indian students in Kuala Lampur
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought the Centre”s immediate intervention to help around 250 stranded Indian students in Kuala Lumpur and ensure their safe return.
In a letter to External Affairs minister S Jaishankar, Vijayan brought the plight of the students to the minister”s notice and said they should be brought back after following all health procedures. “They are stranded at the airport because of the cancellation of flights to India. It has been reported that about 250 students in Kuala Lumpur are unable to return home,” the chief minister said.
At 6.30AM
Maharashtra health minister urges people to not abandon pets over transmission fears
Putting to rest the myths about transmission of COVID-19 through domesticated animals, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope that no such cases have been reported anywhere in the world and urged people not to abandon their pets.
Meanwhile, Galiff Street market, the Sunday destination for pet lovers and gardening enthusiasts in Kolkata, will remain shut for the next two weekends amid the coronavirus pandemic, CNN-News18 reported.
