-Newsclick.in “Since many farmers are afraid to reach the regular markets, the local vendors are taking advantage of it. They are then selling the vegetables at a higher cost to the customers,” said Subramani, a farmer. With no announcement regarding any relief measures, the farmers across the state are staring at an imminent setback. The lack of transportation facilities, labourers and unwarranted police action continue to hamper the farming sector during the...

-The Indian Express According to sources, this was conveyed to industry representatives during a meeting on APRIl 3 of the empowered group of officials on “coordinating with PRIvate sector, NGOs and international organisations”, which is headed by the NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. Estimating a spike in demand for personal protective equipment and diagnostic kits in the fight against COVID-19, the central government has calculated that the country will require about 27...

-The Hindu The government has an opportunity to help farmers who are battling declining demand and lower PRIces Social distancing and living under a lockdown appear to be the only effective ways of dealing with the pandemic. As India lacks the resources to significantly ramp up testing, imposing a lockdown was the government’s preferred option. Although there is limited evidence to suggest that this strategy may be working in containing the spread...

-BusinessToday.in The big buyers should be allowed to make direct purchases with minimum or without requirement of any licensing or registration process, Centre's letter said to the states Union Agriculture ministry has asked state governments to allow bulk buyers, processors and big retailers to purchase agri-produce directly from farmers by bypassing the established mandi systems for at least three months. The directive is meant to achieve two objectives - to decongest mandis...

-News18.com On being asked about facilities like beds, ICUs and ventilators in Kerala to handle patients, Shailaja said, "We have about 1, 25,000 beds for COVID-19 patients as a part of plan A. According to our plan B, we can add more beds in PRIvate hospitals, hotels and even schools, if need arises." Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala, the state which reported first positive case of coronavirus in India on January 30, has been putting...