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<ul><li>Indian government is pushing to amend the Citizenship bill 2016. </li><li>New bill will allow illegal immigrants from specific religions to become citizens. </li><li>Assam is witnessing continuous protests as the bill enters Rajya Sabha for debate.</li></ul>India’s Narendra Modi government is <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/top-bureaucrats-in-assam-concede-situation-is-challenging/story-lAEMW9tS4HdJ7ZkPdHsTuN.html">pushing for a bill</a> which will make illegal migrants from six religions and three countries — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan — eligible for Indian citizenship. Even allies like <keyword id="195349" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Conrad-Sangma">Conrad Sangma</keyword>, the chief minister of Meghalaya whose party is part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has opposed the amendments. Representatives of 11 political parties met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday to lodge their protest. Even the Manipur-based filmmaker and music composer Aribam Syam Sharma has decided to return his 2006 Padma Shri award in protest. 
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a BJP rally in Silchar, Assam on Jan 4, 2019. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in lower house of the Parliament, Lok Sabha, on 8 January, 2019. However, the upper house of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, will debate this bill in its ongoing session. Ahead of the debate, protests have broken out in the north eastern state of Assam, where citizens alleged that the new bill violates the Assam Accord, 1985 — which led to deportation of illegal immigrants in the state regardless of their religion. Last week families of around 855 martyrs of the anti-foreigners Assam Agitation of 1979-1985 returned the citation that the government had given them in 2016. Unrest over the issue has sparked violent protests in state for over a month now, and Assam police has reportedly grounded over 15 people. On Friday, two people<a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-stage-nude-protest-outside-assam-secretariat-over-citizenship-bill-1986978"> stripped down </a>while a third person was found naked outside the Assam Secretariat in Guwahati, Assam. 
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 Three men stage a nude protest near the Assam Secretariat in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Guwahati on Feb 1, 2019. The protesters were swiftly removed by security personnel. “India is a democracy, though people have the right to voice their ideas and demands, such actions are not appreciated in society,” <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/assam-admits-protests-over-citizenship-bill-a-challenge-calls-for-calm-1987411">said</a> Assam Chief Secretary Alok Kumar. The Bill makes illegal immigrants eligible for citizenship on the basis of religion. This may violate Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees right to equality, according to public policy research organisation PRS. This includes amendments to permit cancellations of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) — which permits foreign citizens of Indian origin to stay and work in India. “This is a wide ground that may cover a range of violations, including minor offences (eg. parking in a no parking zone),” PRS said. Violence in other parts of the country Not just Assam, the bill faced protests from around the world — students from different universities in Assam gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi going against the central government holding placards that said ‘No to Citizenship Amendment Bill’, ‘Down with Citizenship Amendment Bill’ seeking the government to rollback the amendments. 
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Activists of All Assam Students Union (AASU) block National Highway 37 as they stage a demonstration against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, in Guwahati on Jan 29, 2019. The growing unrest will be a challenge for the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha polls. The party has recently emerged as a political alternative in north east India. The party has managed to form the government in three out of the seven states in the region in recent years. However, the ongoing agitations may polarise the voters ahead of the next pan-India elections, and divide the votes. Defending the amendments proposed in the bill, BJP President Amit Shah <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/citizenship-bill-necessary-says-amit-shah/article26168945.ece">reportedly said</a> that “There are some decisions that are acceptable to some, not acceptable to others. The BJP has thought deeply about the Citizenship Amendment Bill before bringing it. We cannot leave a large swathe of people fleeing persecution hanging in mid-air. We believe that the Bill is necessary for the country,” he said.

India’s Citizenship Bill is faced with growing protests

The complete list of Chief Ministers in India for 2024

The panel of state finance ministers is likely to recommend a uniform <keyword id="6354679" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gst" source="Orion">GST</keyword> levy of 28 per cent on <keyword id="6422069" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Online-gaming" source="Orion">online gaming</keyword> irrespective of whether it is a game of skill or game of chance, sources said. However, it is likely to suggest a revised formula for calculating the amount on which the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be levied. Currently, online gaming attracts 18 per cent GST. The tax is levied on gross gaming revenue, which is the fees charged by online gaming portals. Sources said that the GoM report is almost final and would be submitted to the GST Council soon for consideration. The Group of Ministers (GoM), chaired by <keyword id="6355772" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="meghalaya" source="Orion">Meghalaya</keyword> Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, had in its earlier report submitted to the Council in June suggested a 28 per cent GST on on the full value of the consideration, including contest entry fee, paid by the player, without making a distinction such as games of skill or chance. However, the Council had asked the GoM to reconsider its report. Following that the GoM took the views of the Attorney General and also met stakeholders from the online gaming industry. Although the GoM deliberated on separate definitions for 'games of skill' and 'games of chance', it finally decided to tax both as demerit goods attracting a 28 per cent GST. The message has to be clear that online gaming is a demerit good. However, some relaxation in valuation methods could be provided, sources told PTI. The GoM report in June had suggested that the GST should be levied on the entire amount received as consideration from the participant. Charging 28 per cent GST on the entire amount, which a player deposits for a game for both categories of online game, would reduce the prize money left for distribution and drive away players from legitimate tax deducting portals. This may also encourage online gamers towards unlawful portals that do not deduct tax, sector experts had said. Online gaming witnessed a spurt during the time of Covid lockdown with the number of users in India rising substantially. As per a KPMG report, the online gaming sector would grow to Rs 29,000 crore by 2024-25 from Rs 13,600 crore in 2021. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indian-markets-open-mixed-tracking-global-cues-reliance-industries-kaynes-technology-ndtv-nykaa-among-stocks-to-watch-out-for/articleshow/95674551.cms">Indian markets open mixed tracking global cues – Reliance Industries, Kaynes Technology, NDTV, Nykaa among stocks to watch out for</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/kaynes-technology-debuts-at-32-premium-on-exchanges-tops-grey-market-expectations/articleshow/95675099.cms">Kaynes Technology debuts at 32% premium on exchanges, tops grey market expectations</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/government-issues-guidelines-to-guard-against-fake-reviews-of-products/articleshow/95676593.cms">Government issues guidelines to guard against fake reviews of products</a>

Ministers' panel may recommend 28% GST on online gaming with a revised calculation formula

Chandigarh, Jun 29 (PTI) The <keyword id="6354679" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst" source="Orion">GST</keyword> Council on Wednesday deferred decision on levying a 28 per cent tax on casinos, online gaming, horse racing and lottery pending more consultations with stakeholders, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. A group of ministers headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has been asked to consider submissions of stakeholders again on the valuation mechanism and submit its report by July 15, she told reporters here. The council will meet again in the first week of August to decide on the issue, she said. A two-day meeting of the panel considered a report of the GoM but deferred a decision as Goa and some others wanted to make more submissions. The GoM had recommended that online gaming should be taxed at the full value of the consideration, including the contest entry fee paid by the player on participating in the game. In cases of race courses, it had suggested that GST be levied on the full value of bets pooled in the totalisators and placed with the bookmakers. It also recommended that no distinction should be made on grounds of game of skill or game of chance for the purpose of the levy of GST and should be taxed at the highest rate of 28 per cent. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zepto-dunzo-among-the-next-122-unicorns-from-india-heres-the-complete-hurun-list/articleshow/92545281.cms">Zepto, Dunzo among the next 122 unicorns from India — here's the complete Hurun list</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-could-slide-to-82-as-a-strong-dollar-is-nullifying-rbi-efforts/articleshow/92543254.cms">Rupee could slide to 82 as a strengthening dollar is nullifying RBI efforts</a>

GST on casinos, lotteries, horse races deferred as Nirmala Sitharaman reconsiders

<ul><li>Decriminalisation of offences under the GST law, setting up appellate tribunals and mechanism to curb tax evasion in pan masala, gutkha businesses among the issues to be discussed.</li><li>Besides, GST on online gaming and casinos may come up for deliberations at the Council meeting.</li><li>With regard to taxation of online gaming, casinos and horse racing, the GoM, in its last meeting in November, had agreed on a 28 per cent GST on these segments.</li></ul> Decriminalisation of offences under the GST law, setting up appellate tribunals and mechanism to curb tax evasion in pan masala and gutkha businesses are among the issues slated to be discussed in the <keyword id="3680839" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst-council-meeting" source="Orion">GST Council meeting</keyword> which began on Saturday morning. Besides, GST on online gaming and casinos may come up for deliberations at the Council meeting. The Group of Ministers (GoM), chaired by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, set up last year on the issue had submitted its report to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday. The Council would also consider a report of tax officers and give clarity on the rate applicability in certain goods and services. "Union Finance Minister Smt. @nsitharaman chairs the 48th meeting of the GST Council via virtual mode, in New Delhi, today," the finance ministry tweeted. With regard to decriminalisation of offences, the law committee of the GST Council, comprising tax officers from the Centre and states, has suggested to the Council to increase the monetary threshold for launching prosecution for GST offences. The law committee has also suggested that the fee payable by taxpayer for compounding of GST offences be lowered to 25 per cent of the tax amount, from up to 150 per cent currently, with a view to improving ease of doing business. It has suggested raising the threshold of launching prosecution to Rs 20 crore, from Rs 5 crore at present. Launching of prosecution by taxmen means commencement of legal proceedings against the offender. The report of the GoM on tax evasion by pan masala and gutkha companies is likely to be taken up for discussion in the Council, sources said. With regard to setting up of Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunals (GSTATs), the GoM has suggested that the tribunals should consist of two judicial members, and one technical member each from the Centre and states, besides a retired Supreme Court judge as President, sources said. The GoM on GSTATs was set up in July under the chairmanship of Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala. With regard to taxation of online gaming, casinos and horse racing, the GoM, in its last meeting in November, had agreed on a 28 per cent GST on these segments. However, in absence of consensus on whether the tax should be levied on only the fees charged by the portal or the entire consideration, including the bet amount, received from participants, the GoM had decided to refer all suggestions to the GST Council for a final decision. Currently, online gaming attracts 18 per cent GST. The tax is levied on gross gaming revenue, which is the fees charged by online gaming portals. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/how-indians-have-spent-their-money-on-swiggy-in-2022/slidelist/96285686.cms">Spending ₹75,000 on an order to buying groceries worth ₹16.6 lakh, here’s how Indians used Swiggy in 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-electric-scooters-in-india-in-2023/articleshow/96278794.cms">From Suzuki and TVS to Hero Electric: Here are some of the top electric scooters expected to launch in 2023</a>

GST Council meet: decriminalisation, tax evasion in pan masala, gutkha biz on agenda

Shillong, Apr 18 () Two more people tested positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya on Saturday, taking the number of active cases in the state to 10, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.The total number of cases in the state now stands at 11, an official said.Both the fresh cases are linked to the state's first COVID-19 patient, a doctor who died on Wednesday, Sangma said."Two more positive cases detected taking the total to 10 active cases in the state. Both are from the house of the first patient, one is his family (member) and the other is a helper in the house," he tweeted.The 69-year-old doctor had tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.Of the 10 active cases, eight are his family members and two his domestic helps. JOP BDC DIV

2 more test positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, active cases rise to 10

Shillong, July 1 () Seven more cases of COVID-19 have been detected in Meghalaya in the past one week, taking the state's tally to 55, officials said on Wednesday. The seven coronavirus patients include three BSF personnel, three high-risk contacts of one BSF personnel and a bank manager, they said. The three BSF personnel who returned from outside the state and three of the high-risk contacts are observing quarantine protocols, a senior health official told . "Total Positive Cases 55. Total Active Cases 12, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma posted on his social media handles. Health Minister A L Hek said that a branch manager of a nationalised bank posted in East Jaintia Hills district tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. He said, the health department is tracing records of his travel history. "If he is found to have violated COVID-19 protocols while entering the state, an FIR will be registered against him," Hek said. The bank official belongs to Guwahati in Assam. Meanwhile, the state government is contemplating to write to the Union Home ministry seeking ban on the transfer of central para military forces to and from the state in view of the COVID-19 crisis. "We have asked the chief secretary to write to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) requesting them to keep on hold the proposed transfer of personnel of central para military forces in and out of the state in view of the COVID-19 pandemic," Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told . According to the deputy chief minister, the situation in Meghalaya is not at all conducive for such transfers. "Even their family members are at risk," a health official said. JOP MM MM

7 more test COVID-19 positive in Meghalaya this week; tally rises to 55

Shillong, Apr 21 () A 42-year-old woman, who is a family friend of the first COVID-19 patient in Meghalaya, has tested positive for novel coronavirus, raising the number of active cases to 11 in the state, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.With the fresh case reported from the state capital,the total number of people afflicted with the dreaded virus in the state now stands at 12, he said. "One of the family friend of the positive patient hasalso tested positive. The person is already in quarantinecentre. The total number is 12. One deceased and other 11 are stable," the chief minister tweeted late on Monday night.The new case is linked to the state's first COVID-19patient, a doctor who died on April 15, an official said.The state government has declared the entire EastKhasi Hills district including the state capital as a "redzone".Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said there will be "no relaxation" in the red zone during the lockdown in view of the positive cases being reported from the district.Meanwhile, the government has received applicationsfrom 10,287 citizens of Meghalaya, who are now stranded in other states due to the lockdown to avail one-time financial assistance of Rs 3,000."We will be examining all the applications before werelease the financial assistance to all those who are stranded outside the state. It is an initiative to demonstrate that we stand united with them at this time of crisis," he said. JOP BDC DVDV

One more tests positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya

(Eds: Recasts intro, adds latest inputs)Shillong, Apr 15 () A doctor, who was till now thelone COVID-19 patient in Meghalaya, died on Wednesday morningwhile six members of his family, including his wife, testedpositive for the disease, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said.Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang, the 69-year-old founderof Bethany Hospitals, died at 2.45 am in the morning, a familymember told .He had tested positive for the coronavirus on Mondayevening."I am saddened to inform that the first #COVID19positive patient in Meghalaya passed away this morning at 2.45am. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Mayhis soul rest in peace," the chief minister tweeted."Of the 68 tested so far, 6 have come out positive whoare all family members &amp; helpers of the of the first #Covid-19positive case. 6 other cases are being retested. All the restof the cases are negative," Sangma said in another twitterpost.The Shillong premises of Bethany Hospitals, where DrSailo was admitted, and its second campus at Nongpoh in RiBhoi district, have been sealed and sanitised while alloccupants of the two facilities have been quarantined insidethe medical establishments, officials said.The health authorities have traced around 2000 peoplewho had visited the Shillong premises of the hospital sinceMarch 22, they added. JOP ACDSK SK

COVID-19 patient dies in Meghalaya; six family members test positive

(Eds: Updating, adding govt statement) New Delhi, Apr 27 () As India enters final week of the lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed to chief ministers that the country will have to give importance to the economy as well as to continue the fight against coronavirus.In a video conference with the chief ministers, fourth such interaction since March 22 when he first spoke to them on the pandemic, Modi also highlighted the importance for states to enforce prescribed guidelines strictly in the coronavirus hotspots zones, the government said in a statement.The prime minister underlined that the lockdown has "yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past one and a half months", it said."Prime Minister said that the country has seen two Lockdowns till now, both different in certain aspects, and now we have to think of the way ahead. He said that as per experts, the impact of coronavirus will remain visible in the coming months," the statement added.Modi also said that masks and face covers will become part of lives of people in the days ahead, adding everyone's aim must be to ensure rapid response under the current circumstances.Among those present at the virtual meet, included Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and top officials from the PMO and the Union Health Ministry.The chief ministers who attended the meeting included Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Uddhav Thackeray (Maharashtra), E K Palaniswami (Tamil Nadu), Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya) Trivendra Singh Rawat (Uttarakhand) and Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh). NAB MPB PYKPYK

Need to give importance to economy, battle COVID-19: PM to CMs

New Delhi, Apr 17 () Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said he was "deeply disturbed" by news reports that locals in Meghalaya resisted the funeral of a doctor who died of COVID-19 fearing that it could further spread the disease, saying such incidents were a blot on the society's consciousness. Citing a newspaper report, he said there was a delay of 36 hours in the funeral of the Meghalaya doctor. "Such incidents are a blot on the society's consciousness and of great concern for all of us, irrespective of party, religion and region," he said in a Facebook post. The "unfortunate behaviour" from the locals forced Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to finally intervene in the matter and help resolve it, Naidu pointed out. The vice president said the physician's body lay for several hours in the hospital he had founded after attempts to bury or cremate him were unsuccessful due to local resistance. "There is an urgent need to educate the people and remove misconceptions on COVID-19 to prevent such inhuman incidents in the future," he said. The vice president has shared his concerns on the issue with the home secretary and the director general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). He said it is a matter of deep anguish that such an incident occurred in spite of an advisory being issued by the central government in March for the management of dead bodies infected with novel coronavirus. "I urge all citizens to be empathic and respond compassionately, not react irrationally, especially during these testing times," Naidu said. People must act responsibly and not believe in rumours, the vice president said. The need of the hour is to create greater social awareness among the general public by various stakeholders, he opined. NAB SNESNE

Opposition to coronavirus victim's funeral in Meghalaya blot on society's consciousness: Naidu

(Eds: Adds reaction of V-P to similar incident in TN) New Delhi, Apr 17 () Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said he was "deeply disturbed" by news reports that people in Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu had opposed funerals of doctors who died of COVID-19 fearing it could further spread the disease. Such incidents are a blot on the society's consciousness, he said.Citing a newspaper report, he said there was a delay of 36 hours in the funeral of the Meghalaya doctor."Such incidents are a blot on the society's consciousness and of great concern for all of us, irrespective of party, religion and region," he said in a Facebook post.The "unfortunate behaviour" from the locals forced Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to finally intervene in the matter and help resolve it, Naidu said.The vice president said the physician's body lay for several hours in the hospital he had founded after attempts to bury or cremate him were unsuccessful due to local resistance."Further distressed to know about a similar incident in Chennai, where locals resisted cremation of a doctor hailing from Nellore following his death in a city hospital. "Saddened to learn that the body had to be shifted to an alternative place for cremation with the help of police and other authorities," Naidu later said on Twitter. He felt that there is an urgent need to educate the people and remove misconceptions on COVID-19 to prevent such inhuman incidents in the future.The vice president has shared his concerns on the issue with the home secretary and the director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).He said it is a matter of deep anguish that such incidents occurred in spite of an advisory being issued by the central government in March for the management of dead bodies infected with novel coronavirus."I urge all citizens to be empathic and respond compassionately, not react irrationally, especially during these testing times," Naidu said.People must act responsibly and not believe in rumours, the vice president said.The need of the hour is to create greater social awareness among the general public by various stakeholders, he opined."Doctors and the medical fraternity are risking their lives to save us during the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to respect them and lend our support in these testing times," he said. NAB ANBANB

Opposition to COVID-19 victims' funeral in Meghalaya, TN blot on society's consciousness: Naidu

Dates for India’s 17th Lok Sabha elections were announced on March 10. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases starting, April 11, according to the Election Commission of India. The votes will be counted on May 23 and will decide the fate of major political parties in India. Voting in Meghalaya will take place in a single-phase. As of 28 January 2014, the total voter strength of Meghalaya was 1,553,028. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC) and National People’s Party are some of the prominent political heavyweight parties in Meghalaya. Meghalaya has had 12 chief ministers since 1970, six of which belonged to the Indian National Congress (INC). The current chief minister of the state is Conrad Sangma, who belongs to the National People's Party. He assumed office on March 6, 2018. Meghalaya Constituency wise dates of polling in Meghalaya: Phase 1 (Date of polling: April 11, 2019) Shillong, Tura Results of the Lok Sabha Election will be announced on 23 May.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Polling dates for Meghalaya

(Eds: Updating, adding details, combining related stories) New Delhi, Apr 27 () As India entered the last week of the 40-day nationwide lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told chief ministers that the country will have to give importance to economy as well as continue the fight against coronavirus, in a clear indication that strict restrictions could be limited to COVID-19 hotspots while curbs can be eased gradually in areas not affected by the virus. In a video conference with the chief ministers, fourth such interaction since March 22 when he first spoke to them about the pandemic, Modi stressed on the need for the states to strictly enforce lockdown guidelines in the coronavirus hotspots zones, and strongly pitched for the mantra of 'do gaz doori' (a distance of two yards) to protect people from the infection, according to a government statement. During the meeting, a majority of the chief ministers wanted the lockdown to continue after May 3 and told the prime minister that some economic activity should be started slowly, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told reporters. Asserting that "the lockdown has yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past one and a half months", Modi, however, forewarned that "the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance". He also asked the states to focus on "rapid response" in dealing with the pandemic, adding wearing masks and face covers would become part of people's lives for times to come. India is under a 40-day nationwide lockdown since March 25. The first phase of the nationwide lockdown of 21 days was announced by Modi on March 24, it was later extended by 19 days till May 3 to cut the transmission of the virus, which has infected around 28,000 people and claimed 872 lives in India. The prime minister's interaction with the chief ministers came amid calls from some states to allow economic activities to reduce the devastating impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the economy as well as on livelihoods of lakhs of migrant workers. "We have to give importance to the economy as well as continue the fight against COVID -19," Modi said, adding it is important for "states to enforce guidelines strictly in the hotspots i.e the red zone areas and the efforts of the states should be directed towards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter to green zones." Sources in the government said the lockdown may be lifted in a gradual manner and restrictions are likely to continue in the coronavirus hotspots. Chief ministers were unanimous in telling the prime minister that there should be a cautious approach in lifting the lockdown, given that the coronavirus cases were still rising in the country, Naraynswamy said."The prime minister should take a call on what needs to be done," he added. Office of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in a statement, said Modi asked the states to try to convert the COVID-19 challenge into opportunities through administrative reforms, and form their own policies on relaxing the lockdown based on ground realities. According to a Gujarat government official, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani favoured a gradual lifting of the coronavirus-enforced lockdown during the interaction. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said his government is of the opinion that the lockdown in the coastal state should be extended beyond May 3. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, in a series of tweets, said he favoured extending the lockdown while allowing activities in areas not affected by COVID-19. Sangma said he also suggested that an 'Economic Task Force' be set-up by all the states for the exchange of ideas and possible solutions to initiate economic activities by adhering to necessary precautionary protocols. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Centre was making contradictory statements on enforcement of the lockdown, and wanted greater clarity on the recent union home ministry order on reopening shops.Claiming that many states were not allowed to speak during Modi's video conference owing to the rotation system, Banerjee said given a chance she would have raised several questions,including the need to send central teams to Bengal.Jharkhand Hemant Soren also said the state government has decided not to implement till May 3 the Centre's guidelines giving relaxations to some shops due to a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases.According to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's office, he did not participate in the video conference as only nine chief ministers had the opportunity to interact. The state was represented by Chief Secretary Tom Jose and Additional Chief Secretary Vishwas Mehta at the video conference. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told Modi that the state is scrupulously adhering to the central guidelines on the lockdown, and it will not be possible to bring back students from places like Kota until the directions are suitably amendedThe prime minister emphasized on the importance of use of technology as much as possible and also to utilize time to embrace reform measures, the statement said, adding he also talked about the significance of ensuring that more people download the Aarogya Setu app to bolster the efforts of the country in the battle against COVID-19. "We have to be brave and bring in reforms that touch the lives of common citizens," Modi said.India's population is comparable to that of the combined population of several countries, Modi said, adding that the situation in many countries, including India, was almost similar at the start of March. "However, due to timely measures, India has been able to protect many people," he added. On the issue of bringing back Indians stranded abroad, Modi said it has to be done keeping in mind the fact that they do not get inconvenienced and their families do not come under any risk. The prime minister also urged chief ministers to factor in the changes in weather - advent of summer and monsoon - and the illnesses that can potentially come in this season, while planning for the way ahead, the government said. Among those present at the virtual meet, included Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and top officials from the PMO and the Union Health Ministry.The chief ministers who attended the meeting included Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Trivendra Singh Rawat (Uttarakhand) and Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh). NAB MPB PYKPYK

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India’s Citizenship Bill is faced with growing protests

BI India Bureau

The complete list of Chief Ministers in India for 2024

BI India Bureau

Ministers' panel may recommend 28% GST on online gaming with a revised calculation formula

PTI

GST on casinos, lotteries, horse races deferred as Nirmala Sitharaman reconsiders

PTI

GST Council meet: decriminalisation, tax evasion in pan masala, gutkha biz on agenda

PTI

2 more test positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya, active cases rise to 10

PTI

7 more test COVID-19 positive in Meghalaya this week; tally rises to 55

PTI

One more tests positive for COVID-19 in Meghalaya

PTI

COVID-19 patient dies in Meghalaya; six family members test positive

PTI

Need to give importance to economy, battle COVID-19: PM to CMs

PTI

Opposition to coronavirus victim's funeral in Meghalaya blot on society's consciousness: Naidu

PTI

Opposition to COVID-19 victims' funeral in Meghalaya, TN blot on society's consciousness: Naidu

PTI

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Polling dates for Meghalaya

BI India Bureau

India will have to give importance to economy while battling COVID-19: PM to CMs

PTI

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