ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Shri Piyush Goyal holds video conference with stakeholders from e-Commerce and Logistics industry;
Says the Government is committed to ensure that essential goods reach the people in the most convenient and safest manner
The Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal held a video conference with stakeholders from e-Commerce and Logistics industry on Thursday, to discuss the issues faced by them due to COVID19 lockdown and measures to resolve them. He assured the industry leaders that the Government is committed to ensure that essential goods reach the people in the most convenient and safest manner.
The meeting was attended by representatives of following e-Commerce Companies: Snapdeals, Shopclues, Flipkart, Grofers, NetMeds, PharmEasy, 1MG Tech, Udaan, Amazon India, Big Basket, Zomato. Large Retail Operators were represented by Metro Cash & Carry, Walmart, RPG while Express Industry Council, Delihivery, Safexpress, PayTM, Swiggy represented Logistics Operators.
DPIIT has been regularly engaging with retailers and e-commerce companies to ensure that the supply chain of essential goods is maintained and various facilities continue to function smoothly. As a result of efforts made by DPIIT, Ministry of Home affairs has issued standard operating procedure for State Government’s guidance on how to handle various aspects related to supply of essential goods. The Department has also set up a control room to monitor in real time the status of transportation and delivery of goods, manufacturing, delivery of essential commodities to common man and the difficulties being faced by various stakeholders during the lockdown period
The Indian Patents Office has, in view of the lockdown, extended the date for completion of various acts, filing of replies, payment of fees, etc. This will help all those applicants for whom due date for submission of applications for patent, design and trademarks were falling during the lockdown period.
Ministry of Defence
Southern Army Commander Lt Gen JS Nain reviews facilities of Covid Hospital being Operationalised By the Army at Pune
Pune, 27 April 2021
On 27 Apr, Lt Gen JS Nain, GOC-in-C, Southern Command visited the old Command Hospital complex at Pune to review the dedicated medical facility established for treatment of COVID cases only. Substantial capacity at the old Command Hospital has been created for treatment of civil patients referred by the District Medical Officer, Pune. During the visit he interacted with the medical staff at the hospital and appreciated them for their yeomen service to the Nation in fight against the pandemic and stated that, “We are fully geared up for extending medical aid to the State Government and people of Pune at this facility. A dedicated team of Doctors and Nursing assistant have been placed at the hospital to take care of COVID patients”.
With the surge in the COVID-19 cases in India, the Pune based Southern Command has come forward yet again to provide assistance to Maharashtra and other state governments to tackle the situation. Already assistance has been provided by the Army for opening up of a 900 bedded hospital at Ahmedabad,Gujarat. A 100 bedded isolation facility at Barmer, Rajasthan. Similar efforts have also been made at multiple locations in Madhya Pradesh wherein a 100 bedded facility at Bhopal and two 40 bedded facility at Gwalior and Saugor. While continuous monitoring and capability build up is in process in complete Southern States. Another action by Lt Gen JS Nain in reaching out to all the veterans & their families during this pandemic has brought confidence & succour to specially those in far flung areas.
A statement issued by a Senior Officer part of the Core group coordinating the medical assistance said “Southern Command has been historically linked with various Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in its area of responsibility spread over 11 States and 4 Union Territories including an island territory covering almost 40 percent of the Indian landmass. Clear directions have been given by the Army Commander, Southern Command to all formations under Command to be prepared to provide appropriate COVID medical facilities to assist the citizens in need, while remaining fit to meet various contingencies.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Shri Sunil Barthwal assumes charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce
Shri Sunil Barthwal assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Commerce in New Delhi today.
Prior to this he was serving as Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment. Shri Barthwal is an Indian Administrative Service  Officer of Bihar Cadre. He is a post graduate in Economics. He did his B.A.  Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and his M.A. Economics from J.N.U. Delhi. He has a PG Diploma in Economics of Competition Law from King’s College, London.
During his rich and varied experience as an IAS Officer, he has held various administrative positions in the areas of Finance, Social Security, Investment, Infrastructure, Mines, Steel, Energy, Transport etc. in the Government at Central and State level. He has also worked in the Competition Commision of India. He has been on the Boards of SAIL, NMDC, MECON, MSTC & NIIF. He was the CEO of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, which is the largest social security organisation of India. He has been instrumental in many reforms in EPFO resulting in making it a more efficient, transparent and delivery oriented organisation.
He has published articles in journals and other publications. He has represented India in many international forums.
Ministry of Power
Union Power Minister reviews issues of Independent Power Producers 
Intervention decided for resolving issues in the Power Sector
Issues to be taken up with Ministry of Coal, CERC
Ministry of Power  agrees for three separate windows for auction
Union for Power and NRE Shri R.K. Singh met the members of Association of Power Producers  today . The Minister heard the issues raised by members of APP and gave instructions to Ministry of Power :-
- Keeping in view the increasing power demand, the Minister emphasized the need for making certain that the entire established power generation capacity is utilized. For this, he directed for streamlining and simplifying guidelines/procedures for short term coal linkage auctions under SHAKTI B   for Thermal Power Plants not having Power Purchase Agreements :
 Ministry of Power  has agreed for three separate windows for auction namely, 3 months, 6 months and one year. MoP in consultation with Ministry of Coal  will ensure its implementation.
 In order to make coal available for longer period, MoP will examine whether duration of auction can be extended for more than one year. Issue of Bank Guarantee is also to be examined if duration has to be extended beyond one year.
- SHAKTI B  auctions : As per policy, PPA  needs to be submitted within two years after auction of coal. APP requested for extension of time line in view of lack of PPAs in the market. APP also requested to reduce the Bank Guarantee. MoP agreed to examine the request in consultation with Ministry of Coal .
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: In the liquidity infusion scheme, Equal treatment may be given to all Gencos on First In First Out  Basis.
- Installation of FGD:- It was suggested to examine the Orders of CERC in terms of recovery of depreciation and interest rate allowed for recovery.
- Revival of gas based plants: APP requested for separate window for auction of gas for power plants. Issue to be taken up with Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- Mega Power Policy:-The request for suitable amendment in the policy is being taken up through inter-Ministerial consultation.
- MoP advised IPPs on reciprocal basis not to derail the regulation of power by Central Gencos in case of non-payment of dues by Discoms
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Shri Hardeep S Puri hands over charge of office of Minister of Civil Aviation to Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia
General V.K. Singh takes over as MoS
Shri Hardeep S Puri, former Minister of Civil Aviation and incumbent Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, handed over the charge of office of Minister of Civil Aviation to Shri Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia here today. General V.K. Singh, Minister of State for Civil Aviation were also present on the occasion.
In a tweet, Shri Scindia said, “Delighted to take the baton of the Ministry of Civil Aviation from Shri Hardeep S Puri. I resolve to discharge my duties with earnestness & continue the good work undertaken by him.” General V.K. Singh, Minister of State for Civil Aviation were also present on the occasion.
In the past, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia has held responsibility of the Communications and Information Technology Ministry as MoS from 2007-2009, the Commerce and Industry ministry as MoS from 2009 to 2012 and later the Minister of State  for Power from 2012 to 2014. He was four times elected to Lok Sabha from Madhya Pradesh and now, it is his first term as Member of Rajya Sabha. Shri Scindia has also been Member of Standing Committees on Finance, External Affairs and Defence; Member of Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports; Member of Committees on Estimates, Petitions and Privileges and Member of Consultative Committee, Ministry of Home Affairs.
With regards to educational background, Shri Scindia is an Economics graduate from Harvard University and also did Masters of Business Administration  from Stanford University.
General , Dr. Vijay Kumar Singh also assumed charge as Minister of State of Ministry of Civil Aviation today morning. After getting elected to Lok Sabha in May, 2014, Shri V.K. Singh held various responsibilities in Government of India. In May, 2019, Shri Singh was re-elected to Lok Sabha and held charge as Union Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
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India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 216.95 Cr
Over 4.08 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 46,216
4,510 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.71%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 1.80%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 216.95 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 4.08 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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1,04,14,909
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2nd Dose
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1,01,14,592
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Precaution Dose
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69,53,881
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FLWs
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1st Dose
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1,84,36,250
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2nd Dose
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1,77,11,873
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Precaution Dose
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1,35,26,783
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Age Group 12-14 years
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1st Dose
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4,08,52,001
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2nd Dose
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3,13,24,504
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Age Group 15-18 years
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1st Dose
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6,18,86,738
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2nd Dose
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5,28,80,405
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Age Group 18-44 years
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1st Dose
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56,11,15,098
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2nd Dose
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51,51,57,992
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Precaution Dose
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8,67,04,230
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Age Group 45-59 years
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1st Dose
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20,40,01,904
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2nd Dose
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19,68,22,012
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Precaution Dose
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4,52,44,492
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Over 60 years
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1st Dose
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12,76,49,068
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2nd Dose
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12,30,47,449
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Precaution Dose
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4,57,07,410
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Precaution Dose
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19,81,36,796
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Total
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2,16,95,51,591
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 46,216. Active cases now constitute 0.10% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.71%. 5,640 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,39,72,980.
4,510 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 3,39,994 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 89.23 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 1.80% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 1.33%.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
‘National Fisheries Policy ’
Government has decided for introducing a comprehensive and integrated ‘National Fisheries Policy, 2020’ by integrating the National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 , the Draft National Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy  and the Draft National Mariculture Policy  along with the elements of Post Harvest.
The Guidelines for regulating Coastal Aquaculture appended to the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Rules, 2005 under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 provides various measures, which inter alia include environment impact assessment, environment monitoring and management plan, waste water management and integrated coastal zone management in order to address the environmental issues and to ensure environmentally responsible and socially accepted aquaculture in coastal areas.
Government of India has announced a new dedicated scheme for fisheries sector namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  under Atmanirbhar Bharat COVID-19 Relief Package. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  under its various components provide financial assistance for traditional fishers including fish workers for various enlisted activities in the scheme including livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers’ families during fishing ban/lean period for conservation of fisheries resources.
This answer was given by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi in a written reply.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
User Fee Waived on Three Toll Plazas in Kerala
National Highways Authority of India – NHAI has waived off user fee at three toll plazas in Kerala in view of the unprecedented flood situation in the state. The waiver has been made on the toll plazas at Paliekkara in Thrissur district, Pampampallam in Palakkad district and Kumbalam in Cochin. It came into effect last week and will continue till the end of this week, that is the 26th of August.
Many highways in the state are flooded, including the stretches of NH-544 close to Aluva due to the unprecedented rains/opening of dams in several districts in the state.
Prime Minister's Office
Text of PM's address at 76th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland
Excellencies, Esteemed Dignitaries and Delegates, Namaskar!
Warm greetings to everyone at the 76th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva. I congratulate the WHO on completing the historic milestone of serving the world for 75 years. I am sure that the WHO would be setting goals for the next 25 years, when it reaches 100 years of service.
Friends,
The COVID-19 pandemic showed us the need for greater collaboration in healthcare. The pandemic highlighted many gaps in the global health architecture. Building resilience in global systems needs a collective effort.
Friends,
The pandemic also highlighted a need to boost global health equity. During a crisis, India showed its commitment to international cooperation. We shipped almost 300 million doses to over 100 countries. Many of these countries were from the Global South. I am sure that supporting equal access to resources will be a top priority for the WHO in the coming years.
Friends,
India's traditional wisdom says that the absence of illness is not the same as good health. We must not only be free from illness but also go one step forward towards wellness. Traditional systems such as Yoga, Ayurveda and meditation, address physical, mental and social aspects of health. I am glad that WHO's first Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is being established in India. I am also happy that the world is recognising the importance of millets through the International Year of Millets.
Friends,
India's ancient scriptures teach us to see the world as one family- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. During our G20 Presidency this year, we are working with the theme of ''One Earth, One Family, One Future''. Our vision for good health is ''One Earth One Health''. We can be healthy only when our whole ecosystem is healthy. So, our vision is not restricted to just humans. It extends to the entire ecosystem, including animals, plants and the environment.
Friends,
In the last few years, India has worked on availability, accessibility & affordability of healthcare. Be it the world's biggest health insurance scheme - Ayushman Bharat, or the massive ramping up of health infrastructure, or the drive to provide sanitation and drinking water to millions of families; Many of our efforts are aimed at boosting health at the last mile. An approach that works with the scale of India's diversity, can also be a framework for others. We are keen on supporting the WHO for similar efforts in low and middle income countries.
Friends,
I would like to commend the WHO on 75 years of efforts in advancing Health for All. The role of global institutions like the WHO was certainly important in the past. But it will be even more important in a future full of challenges. India is committed to helping every effort to build a healthier world. Thank You. Thank you very much!
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Bill Gates
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today had a meeting with Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, during the latter’s three-day visit to India. The two had last met in September in New York, on the sidelines of the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.
Mr. Bill Gates reinforced his Foundation’s commitment to supporting the Government of India, in its efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals , with a particular focus on health, nutrition, sanitation and agriculture.
Mr Gates commended the Prime Minister on prioritizing nutrition as a key focus area, and the efforts being made under the National Nutrition Mission.
He also presented new ideas that can help enhance agricultural productivity and systems performance, with a particular focus on improving access, to enable the upliftment of the poor and the marginalized.
The Prime Minister appreciated the Foundation’s efforts and highlighted how the government values the expertise and responsiveness demonstrated by the Foundation. He suggested that data and evidence-based thoughtful interventions and support by development partners can help accelerate the work in the sectors of health, nutrition, agriculture and green energy.
Mr. Bill Gates was joined by the key members of his India leadership team.
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Prime Minister's Office
Telephone Conversation between PM and Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation today with H.E. Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.
The two leaders discussed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the domestic response strategies being adopted by their respective Governments. They agreed on the importance of bilateral experience-sharing in the context of this health crisis, including through collaborative research efforts.
Prime Minister conveyed that Government of India stands ready to provide necessary facilitation and support to any Australian citizens stranded in India due to travel restrictions. H.E. Prime Minister Morrison similarly assured that the Indian community in Australia, including Indian students, would continue to be valued as a vibrant part of Australian society.
Both leaders agreed to remain attentive to the wider significance of the India-Australia partnership, including in the Indo-Pacific region, even as they focus on solving the present health crisis.
Ministry of Defence
DG NCC Inaugurates Thal Sainik Camp
Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, DG, NCC inaugurated the Thal Sainik Camp today at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantt. Both boys and girls NCC cadets drawn from 17 NCC Directorate representing all the States and Union Territories of the country are participating in the camp, taking part in the various competitions like Obstacle Training, Map Reading and other Institutional Training Competitions for ten days. The camp would culminate on 25 September, 2022.
Speaking on this occasion, the General Officer welcomed the cadets and congratulated them on getting selected for the Thal Sainik Camp. He further said that NCC gives the youth of the country an exposure to a life full of adventure, discipline and honour, inculcating in them the sense of leadership and camaraderie.
The aim of Thal Sainik Camp is to give an exposure to the salient feature of Army Training, generating healthy competitive spirit and fostering a sense of discipline, leadership and national integration amongst the cadets. Thal Sainik Camp is unique in its own way by being a National level camp for Army Wing cadets. Similar camps for Air and Naval wing will be conducted subsequently.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Cabinet approves extension of Delhi Metro corridor from Dilshad Garden to New Bus Adda Ghaziabad
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the extension of Delhi Metro corridor from Dilshad Garden to New Bus Adda Ghaziabad. The total distance of the extended line will be 9.41 km. The Cabinet has also approved contribution of Rs.324.87 crore as central financial assistance for extension at the total completion cost of Rs.1,781.21 crore.
The implementation of the project would provide the much needed additional public transport infrastructure to NCR.
The project is being implemented by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. , the existing Special Purpose Vehicle  of the Government of India and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi .
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Govt. of India has so far provided more 16.16 crore vaccine doses to States/UTs Free of Cost
More than 1 crore doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered
More than 20 Lakh doses in addition will be received by the States/UTs in the next 3 days
Government of India has been at the forefront of the fight against the COVID19 pandemic. Along with Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour, vaccination is a crucial pillar of the five point strategy of Government of India to fight the pandemic.
The Liberalised and Accelerated Phase-3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination will be implemented from 1st May 2021. Registration for the new eligible population groups has started from yesterday . Potential beneficiaries can either register directly on CoWIN portal  or through the Aarogya Setu app.
Government of India has so far provided nearly 16.16 crore vaccine doses  to States/UTs Free of Cost. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is15,10,77,933doses.
More than 1 crore COVID Vaccine doses  are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
More than 20 Lakh  vaccine doses will be received in addition by the States/UTs within the next 3 days.
There have been some media reports recently quoting some Maharashtra State Government officials pointing out that the vaccines in the State are finished thereby adversely impacting the vaccination drive in the state.
It is clarified that the total COVID vaccine doses received by Maharashtra as on 28th April 2021  are 1,63,62,470. Of this, the total consumption including wastage  was 1,56,12,510. Balance of 7,49,960vaccine doses is still available with the state for administration to the eligible population groups.
Furthermore, 20,48,890 doses of COVID vaccine are in the pipeline for delivery in the next three days.