-Mongabay.com * The nationwide lockdown has affected the economy of India’s tribal population, which depends highly on the sale of minor forest products. * However, state governments are hoping things will become normal soon as the lockdown norms get relaxed in the coming days. Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel even praised the tribal population in his state for maintaining social distancing properly. * Experts and organisations working with tribal communities demand removal or...

-The Indian Express The trains will not stop anywhere and alarm chains will be coated with dry paint to catch if someone pulls it midway. The paper says social distancing norms will be followed in stations and trains will run with much less capacity. New Delhi: Special buses to bring stranded migrants to railway stations after screening by state governments following which they will be taken to their native states in special...

-Hindustan Times After videos of people flouting of norms of social distancing went viral, officials banned the entry of general public in Ghaziabad’s biggest government vegetable market — Sahibabad Mandi. The officials said that from now on only the wholesalers and retailers will be allowed to enter the market and operations will take place between 10pm to 7am. The decision was taken by officials when, two days ago, some videos went viral...

-Newsclick.in ‘The MGNREGA hike has also been announced at a time while hardly any public works are possible under the scheme owing to ‘social distancing’ norms. In any case, the government is yet to clear previous dues of workers for this year under the MGNREGA scheme.’ New Delhi: The Union Government’s financial relief package for the needy, in the wake of the 21-day nationwide lockdown across the country, while a welcome step,...

-The Hindu Disaster response funds can be used for shelters As lakhs of migrant labourers and workers continued to travel on foot to reach their homes in wake of the 21-day countrywide lockdown, the Union Home Ministry has asked the States to “immediately set up relief camps” along the highways and conduct regular medical checks while observing proper social distancing norms. The Ministry also issued an order authorising the States to use State...