Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], January 23 (ANI): After a ‘slight deterioration’ in his health earlier in the day, former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav’s condition is now stable.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader chief is currently being shifted from the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi on the advice of the State Medical Board. He reached Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport on Saturday evening from where he will be airlifted to Delhi.
As per a health bulletin from RIMS, his condition remains the same and he is stable.
The RJD Chief has also tested negative for COVID-19, and his blood report shows normal infection.
A high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) reflected pneumonia in his lungs.
Lalu’s son Tejashwi Yadav arrived at RIMS in Ranchi earlier in the day where Lalu Yadav is being treated for a lung infection.
“His health (Lalu Yadav) has deteriorated, he is facing breathing difficulty. I have come to see the reports after which the further decision that will be taken, will be told to you,” Tejashwi Yadav had said.
Dr Umesh Prasad, Lalu’s physician had said last month that Yadav’s kidney was functioning at 25 per cent capacity and his situation could take a turn for the worse. (ANI)

Cuttack (Odisha) [India], January 23 (ANI): On the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the birthplace of the iconic freedom fighter named ‘Janakinath Bhawan’ in Cuttack and also laid the foundation stone of the new Netaji Bus Terminal in Cuttack to honour Netaji.
Paying tribute to the great patriot, Patnaik said that Netaji, who was born and brought up in Cuttack, had learnt his lessons of selfless service and struggle on the very soil. He also announced that Odisha will celebrate his 125th birth anniversary throughout the year to give him a befitting tribute.
The new Netaji Bus Terminal will have state-of-the-art facilities to promote hassle-free movement of passengers from arrival to departure, according to a statement by the Chief Minister’s office.
The Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) will be developed at a cost of around Rs 65 crore and will have a built-up area of 11,000 square meters with 180 bus bays along with parking space for 274 vehicles in the ISBT.
In addition, the area of around two acres adjoining the terminal will be reserved for the development of the Public-Private Partnership model. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): Delhi reported 197 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours taking the total number of reported cases in the national capital to 6,33,739.
According to the Delhi Health department, the death toll has gone up to 10,799 with ten more people succumbing to the virus.
It said 367 COVID-19 patients have recovered taking the total recoveries in Delhi to 6,21,060.
Delhi has 1,880 active cases. The health department said that 76,868 tests were conducted in the national capital in the last 24 hours including 29,401 rapid antigen tests.
However, the vaccination drive against coronavirus is underway throughout the nation.
India has given emergency use authorisation to two COVID-19 vaccines being manufactured in the country – Covishield and Covaxin. While Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, Covaxin is an indigenous vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (ANI)

Kutch (Gujarat) [India], January 23 (ANI): The three-day ‘Chintan Baithak’ of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways chaired by Minister Mansukh Mandaviya with chairpersons of all major ports and senior officials of the ministry concluded today.
It was held from January 21 to 23 in the Tent City of Dhordo in Kutch, Gujarat.
Various sessions included new initiatives like coastal routes that were identified for urban transportation covering the entire coastline of India.
The Ministry said in a release: “Efficient utilisation of core and non-core assets of major ports were deliberated. Various technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Geo-Fencing, data-driven traffic management in the ports, IOT-based truck platooning, GIS-based cargo tracking, etc were discussed to simplify and smoothen the operations of major ports to convert ports to ‘smart ports’ and further ‘intelligent ports’ as envisioned in Maritime India Vision-2030.”
“Possibilities of restructuring Indian Ports Association, creating India’s first-ever Maritime Arbitration Center to resolve maritime disputes in India itself instead of going to other countries were explored. Probabilities of establishing satellite ports for reducing the congestion and burden on major ports and attracting more cargo were also discussed,” the Ministry added.
The Ministry further said, “Proposed domestic and international routes of Ro-Ro and ROPAX Ferry Services were reviewed. While reviewing new proposed locations of seaplane operations, it was noted that Expression of Interest (EOI) of seaplanes has received an overwhelming response. The ways to improve the share of movement of coastal cargo were explored. The roadmap of manpower planning up to 2035 in all major ports was also examined.”
In his closing remarks, Mandaviya said, ”Our larger goal is to regain India’s maritime glory. With this Chintan Baithak, the coordination between all major ports will be more streamlined and will be able to work with more synergy to achieve common goals. On the concluding day of Chintan Baithak, I am happy as well as hopeful as Maritime India Vision-2030 is finalised and ready to be implemented soon.”
“I advise chairpersons of all major ports and officials to work with optimism, dedication, and motivation to put India on the world map as the maritime leader,” he added. (ANI)

Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], January 23 (ANI): As many as one death and 158 new COVID-19 cases were reported here in the past 24 hours, according to a media bulletin released by Andhra Covid nodal officer on Saturday.
According to the bulletin, 43,770 samples were tested here in the last 24 hours, out of which 158 tested positive for the virus.
With this, the total number of COVID-19 cases has risen to 8,86,852. Out of the total positive cases, 1,473 are active. With 172 patients being discharged, the total discharged count reached 8,78,232. The death was reported from Visakhapatnam, taking the toll to 7,147.
However, the vaccination drive against coronavirus is underway throughout the nation.
India has given emergency use authorisation to two COVID-19 vaccines being manufactured in the country – Covishield and Covaxin. While Covishield has been developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, Covaxin is an indigenous vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (ANI)

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], January 23 (ANI): Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday announced a hike in the ‘Shagun’ amount for the marriage of daughters of construction workers in Punjab from Rs 31,000 to Rs 51,000.
As per a statement, the CM also approved Rs 1,500 in financial aid to construction workers who test positive for the coronavirus.
“To ease the process of availing the Shagun benefit, the Chief Minister has approved modification in the existing conditions to make valid marriage certificates issued by any religious body – Gurdwaras, Temples, and Churches – acceptable for the purpose,” the statement said.
Capt Amarinder Singh made these decisions while chairing the 27th meeting of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board through Video Conference.
He also announced compensation worth Rs 2 lakh in case of the death of a worker in an accident while working in construction activity.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an extension in the time-frame for submission of applications for benefits under various welfare schemes was also announced – from the existing six months to one year.
“Construction workers can now submit any two of the four Government documents, namely Aadhaar card, Pan card, Voter card, and Ration card. Many workers could not avail benefits earlier for lack of a birth certificate, which was the only acceptable proof prior to this amendment,” the statement said. (ANI)