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A four-month-old baby girl, who had tested positive for COVID-19 and suffering from congenital heart disease, died in a hospital here in Kerala early Friday after suffering a cardiac arrest, officials said. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75341330" title="Coronavirus cases in India count hits 23,000 mark— 718 dead and 4,748 recovered as of April 24" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> This is the third COVID-19 death and the first infant fatality in the state where two elderly people had succumbed to the disease earlier. The baby was admitted to the <keyword id="27558" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Medical-college">Medical College</keyword> Hospital here on April 21 with history of fever, cough, breathing difficulties and seizure after being treated at two other hospitals and the end came at 6 am, a medical bulletin said. <keyword id="8707488" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="state-health-minister-kk-shailaja">State Health Minister KK Shailaja</keyword> said doctors had made maximum efforts to save the life of the child, whose family belonged to Payyanad near Manjeri in <keyword id="417491" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Malappuram-district">Malappuram district</keyword>. "Preliminary information which we have is that there has been some primary contact", she told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram. The protocol for COVID-19 cases would be followed for the baby's last rites, the Minister added. As of Thursday, the total active COVID-19 cases in the state stood at 129. The bulletin said on arrival at the hospital on Tuesday the baby was in shock and had respiratory failure. "She was resuscitated, mechanically ventilated and appropriate antibiotics for pneumonia and supportive measures to correct shock were started", it said adding the baby, however, continued to remain sick. "Even though there was no history of any high or low-risk contact or any epidemiological links as the child comes fromSARI (Severe Acute Respiratory infection) criteria, she was admitted to the COVID-ICU and swab was taken and she tested positive", the bulletin said. Contact tracing of those who had come in contact with the child was in progress. Mallapuram District Medical Officer (Health) Dr Sakeena Ksaid the child, was having severe health issues from its birth itself and was admitted to a private hospital in Manjeri near here with a breathing problem. As her condition worsened, the baby was shifted to another hospital and later to the medical college hospital. "The baby had chest deformity and Atrial SeptalDefect by birth which developed into severe health issues, the official added. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75321294" title="Six-month-old baby dies of Covid-19 in Chandigarh— a day after testing positive" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Four-month-old baby girl dies of Coronavirus in Kerala

Kochi, Apr 8 () Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac on Wednesday urged the Centre to allow states to launch 'pandemic bonds' having an interest rate under 5 per cent. The proposal comes against the backdrop of states looking to raise money to fund measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in more than 5,600 cases of infections across the country. Besides, the 21-day nationwide lockdown to curb spreading of the infection has caused economic disruptions. On Tuesday, Kerala had to offer an interest rate of 8.96 percent for Rs 6,000 crore market borrowing or state development loan for a 15-year period. "Chief Minister (Pinarai Vijayan) is writing to the Prime Minster seeking his intervention in allowing the states to launch pandemic bonds at a fixed interest rate of lower than 5 per cent. The Centre should also ask the Reserve Bank to buy these bonds and (those borrowings) should be kept off the balance-sheet of the states," Issac said in a Facebook post. The pandemic bond would effectively work like monetisation of fiscal deficit -- which means the central bank prints more money to pay for government debt by buying up government bonds and booking the same on its balance-sheet. The minister said Rs 6,000 crore borrowed from the market on Tuesday is the Kerala's share in the first tranche of the Rs 1.27 lakh crore market borrowing that the Centre allowed for the states in 2020-21. Paying 8.96 per cent interest for 15 years on this loan would leave the state in a deep debt trap from which it would be difficult to come out, Issac said. He also called upon the Centre to monetise the debt by borrowing directly from the Reserve Bank and divide the amount among states. The finance minister also said that the chief minister would request the Centre to hike the ceiling on states' fiscal deficit to 5 per cent from the present 3 per cent to tide over the deep financial constraints arising from the coronavirus pandemic. BEN TGB RAM RAM

Coronavirus outbreak: Kerala finance minister moots 'pandemic bonds' to tide over financial woes

Thiruvananthapuram, Though no fresh COVID-19 case has been reported from Kerala since Friday evening, the total number of people under observation in the state has crossed 7,000. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has told officials that health screening should be started at all entry points in the state. As on Saturday, there are 19 corona-positive cases and all of them are stable and there are 7,677 people under observations at homes and hospitals. Speaking to the media after chairing a review meeting here in the state capital, Vijayan told the media that the screening process would be strengthened at airports, trains and at 24 road crossings bordering neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. "At airports, the screening teams would be led by Superintendents of Police along with other professionals. Our medical teams will enter trains at the first station and check pasengers. Likewise, screening at 24 entry points on road will also see basic health protocols being followed," said Vijayan. He, however, ruled out closing down shopping malls in the state. "It has also been decided to set up corona care centres near four airports and all those who have to be isolated will have to spend their designated isolation time at such centres," said Vijayan. "With regards to the IT industry, it has been decided to quarantine all those who return from foreign assignments for 14 days at their homes," added Vijayan. As on Saturday afternoon, the following districts have coronavirus positive patients: as many as seven cases in Pathanamthitta, 4 in Kottayam, 3 each in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram and one each in Thrissur and Kannur. In the state capital, where on Friday three fresh positive cases were reported, the general advisory that has come is: it's time that malls, beaches meeting places should be avoided. The state-owned indoor stadium has been closed. An Italian tourist who was at Varkala for the past two weeks, about 40 km from here, after testing positive has been moved to the Medical College Hospital. The beach destination is largely deserted. The resort where he was staying for the past two weeks has been closed. "Nine people who might have had direct contact with the Italian have been quarantined. We have also traced the route of the other two who turned positive. Things are in control, but we must be more cautious", said District Collector K. Gopalakrishnan. At Alappuzha two UK citizens who arrived from London and were under observation slipped out of the hospital last night. But they were found at the Kochi airport and were put under observation. At Pathanamthitta, where maximum positive cases have been registered, results of 12 suspects came out negative for the virus. "We have got 12 results today and all are negative. Even though this is a big relief, it's not the time to relax," said District Collector P.B. Nooh. At Kochi, on Saturday a flight arrived with 21 passengers from Italy. They were found healthy. They have been asked to remain confined to their homes for two weeks. At Thrissur, where the highest number of people are under observation (1,571) State Minister A.C. Moideen, who led a meeting of officials, said the good news is that 58 test reports that came today are negative. However the police found out a passenger on a luxury bus who came from Qatar. He has been sent for observation. --IANS sg/prs

over 7,000 people under observation in kerala only: Coronavirus

<ul><li>After 3 confirmed <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> cases, Kerala fears mass cancellations from tourists </li><li>State tourism minister <keyword id="916683" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kadakampally-Surendran">Kadakampally Surendran</keyword> said the hotels have seen mass cancellations. </li><li>Business Insider India reached out to online travel portals like EaseMyTrip and Cleartrip to assess the impact of Coronavirus on <keyword id="6362858" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala-Tourism">Kerala Tourism</keyword>. They say that the demand remains strong as of now. </li></ul>The outbreak of <keyword id="8637381" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Coronavirus-in-Kerala">coronavirus in Kerala</keyword> has cast a shadow on the state’s vibrant tourist inflow. After the state reported<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/806-people-in-kerala-under-observation-for-coronavirus/articleshow/73754612.cms?upcache=2"> three confirmed coronavirus cases</a>, even its border states like <keyword id="6354780" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword> have turned alert. State tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said the hotels have seen mass cancellations. “After the Nipah virus and deadly floods, the coronavirus outbreak has also adversely impacted the holiday industry as hotel bookings during February-March have been cancelled widely across the state, ''<a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/world/coronavirus-live-update-death-toll-jumps-to-425-hyundai-suspends-production-line-11580788423653.html"> he said in a press conference</a>. Business Insider India reached out to online travel portals like EaseMyTrip and Cleartrip to assess the impact of Coronavirus on Kerala Tourism. They say that the demand remains strong as of now. Too early to asses, say travel portals Balu Ramachandran, senior vice president of Cleartrip believes that it is very early to say conclusively if there will be any discernible impact on travel with respect to Coronavirus “As of now, we haven't received any updates from airlines for flight cancellations for Kerala. However, we have observed a few cancellations of hotel bookings especially of women travellers,” Prashant Pitti, co-founder and executive director of EaseMyTrip. If any, this will be the third time that the state’s tourism sector has been hit. Two years ago in August 2018, Kerala was swept away by deadly monsoon rains taking as many as 504 lives. In all, 23 million were affected and the losses for the state mounted to $2.7 billion. In June 2019, 17 people were killed in 21 days after catching Nipah virus infection (NiV) that too like Coronavirus has no cure. SEE ALSO : <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/fighting-wuhan-coronavirus-pictures-show-how-china-built-a-1000-bed-hospital-in-10-days/articleshow/73758306.cms">Fighting Wuhan Coronavirus: Pictures show how China built a 1000-bed hospital in 10 days</a>

Kerala’s tourism is infected following three confirmed cases of coronavirus

<ul><li>Four <keyword id="6354780" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword> districts bordering Kerala -- Kodagu, Mangluru, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru -- have been put on high alert in the wake of positive <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> cases in Kerala.</li><li>Acting on state government orders, <keyword id="1051" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mohan">Mohan</keyword> said the district health department is undertaking information and education activities in the district about the virus. </li><li>Mohan said Kodagu did not receive any migrant from China or a person who stayed in China thus far.</li></ul>Four Karnataka districts bordering Kerala -- Kodagu, Mangluru, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru -- have been put on high alert in the wake of positive coronavirus cases in Kerala. "Kodagu, Mangluru, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts have been put on high alert for coronavirus monitoring," Kodagu district health officer K. Mohan told IANS. Acting on state government orders, Mohan said the district health department is undertaking information and education activities in the district about the virus. "We are explaining how coronavirus spreads and how to take precautionary measures. We have established a six bedded room for coronavirus in the district hospital and two beds each at Virajpet and Somvarpet," said Mohan. The Kodagu district authorities also displayed coronavirus awareness posters and messages at bus stops, government hospitals and offices, including the bustling Raja Street. Kodagu is located 250 km southwest of <keyword id="6354321" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bengaluru">Bengaluru</keyword>. Aiming at restricting the movement of people between Karnataka and Kerala, Mohan said the district health department has requested the planters' associations to not move manpower. "We have requested our planters' associations not to move manpower from Karnataka to Kerala and Kerala to Karnataka till February 15," said Mohan. Additionally, the district health department has also kept a rapid response team on standby. Mohan said Kodagu did not receive any migrant from China or a person who stayed in China thus far. Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has ordered that anybody arriving from the 23 coronavirus affected countries must stay in isolation at home for 28 days in a state surveillance bulletin of the Karnataka health and family welfare department on Monday. The home isolation requirement is irrespective of the virus symptoms. As many as 426 coronavirus deaths have been reported in China so far. See also: <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/fighting-wuhan-coronavirus-pictures-show-how-china-built-a-1000-bed-hospital-in-10-days/articleshow/73769620.cms" target="_blank">Fighting Wuhan Coronavirus: Pictures show how China built a 1000-bed hospital in 10 days</a>

Now, Kerala's border districts in Karnataka are on Coronavirus alert too

A three-year-old child has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in <keyword id="28504" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>'s <keyword id="30469" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kochi">Kochi</keyword>, confirmed the health officials here on Monday, taking the total number to six in the state. The child had travelled to <keyword id="21474" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Italy">Italy</keyword> along with his parents and had returned on March 7. The family was kept in quarantine in a hospital where the child developed the symptoms. This is the sixth positive case in the state. On Sunday, five were confirmed positive by the <keyword id="227951" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="state-health-minister">State Health Minister</keyword>. Three of these had travelled to Italy and had come in contact with two in the <keyword id="6357575" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="pathanamthitta">Pathanamthitta</keyword> district. The three had not declared their travel destination at the airport.

Coronavirus: A 3-year old child tests positive in Kochi, Kerala now has 6 cases

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 9 (): Twelve more peopletested positive for coronavirus in Kerala on Thursday, takingthe total number of confirmed cases in the state so far to357.While the northern districts of Kannur and Kasaragodreported four cases each, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram oneeach and in Malappuram, two cases were detected, ChiefMinister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters after a COVID-19review meeting here.Eleven people had been infected through contact whileone person had travelled from abroad, he said.Thirteen results of infected people had returnednegative on Thursday.There are 258 active coronavirus cases in the stateand 1.36 lakh people are under observation, 723 in varioushospitals.The state had reported two fatalities. UD SS

12 more coronavirus cases reported in Kerala, tally rises to 357

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 7 () Nine people testedpositive for coronavirus in Kerala on Tuesday, taking thetotal number of active cases to 263.Of this, the worst affected Kasaragod reported fourcases, Kannur three, Kollam and Malappuram one each, ChiefMinister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here after a reviewmeeting on COVID-19.Samples of 12 people returned negative for the deadlyvirus on Tuesday, he said.While four of the nine people had returned from abroad,two had attended the Tablighi Jamaat conference in Delhi andthe others contracted the virus through contacts with infectedpeople.The total number of COVID cases in the state has touched336. As many as 1.40 lakh people are under observation in thestate with 752 in various hospitals. UDVS VS

9 new COVID-19 cases in Kerala; Active cases rises to 263

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 8 () At least 345 people havetested positive for coronavirus in Kerala so far, with ninefresh cases being reported on Wednesday.Of the new cases, four had come from abroad, two hadattended the Tablighi Jammat meet in Delhi last month and theremaining three contracted the virus through contacts, ChiefMinister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here.A total of 212 people from the state had participated inthe Talbligi meeting and "15, including today's two cases,have tested positive," he said. Of the fresh cases, four were from Kannur, two fromAlapuzha and one each from Pathnamthitta, Thrissur andKasaragod districts. Samples of 13 people tested negative on Wednesday. Around 1.40 lakh people, including 749 in hospitals,are under observation in the state, he said adding the activeCOVID-19 cases stood at 259. Two fatalities have been reported from the state so far. UDVS VS

Kerala records 9 new COVID-19 cases, total rises to 345

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 11 () The Kerala governmenton Saturday launched a WhatsApp number to report cases ofdomestic violence in the state, which have been on the riseduring the coronavirus lockdown.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said complaintscan be made to the number-- 9400080292--, which will beavailable 24 hours."In the wake of reports of an increase in domesticviolence during the lockdown, the Social Justice Departmenthas been urged to take immediate steps to prevent them.Subsequently, a WhatsApp number was launched to make it easyfor women and children to complain," Vijayan said in aFacebook post.The 24-hour helpline has been started by theDirectorate of Women and Child Development with the help ofthe technical cell of the National Service Scheme."Similarly, complaints can be made on the child linenumber 1098 and women helpline Mitra's number, 181, and sternaction will be taken in the matter," Vijayan said.The National Commission for Women (NCW) has received123 complaints of domestic violence in the last 18 days, withthe panel saying it has observed a spike in such cases duringthe lockdown imposed to control the spread of coronavirus.According to the data shared on Friday by the NCW,from March 23 till April 10, a total of 370 complaints relatedto women issues were received by the panel.Of the 370 complaints, the highest 123 were ofdomestic violence, the data said.The NCW had also launched a WhatsApp number --7217735372-- to report cases of domestic violence.The NCW said the whatsapp number is in addition to theonline complaint links and emails which are also operational.India is currently under the biggest lockdown witharound 1.3 billion people asked to stay home in view of thecoronavirus outbreak, which has claimed nearly 200 lives andinfected more than 6,400 people. RRT SS

Ker govt launches WhatsApp number to report domestic violence during lockdown

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 21 () With Kannur districtemerging as the latest hotspot for coronavirus in Kerala, thestate government has turned its attention on enforcing thelockdown norms strictly and warned of stern action, includingarrest, against those stepping out of their homesunnecessarily. The northern district with 52 COVID-19 cases had beenclassified as red zone and is under complete lockdown withthree Superintendents of Police have been vested with theresponsibility of implementing the restrictions, officialssaid.Taking a serious view of people thronging streets andheavy rush of vehicles in some parts of the state on Monday,Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had stringent steps will betaken to follow the safety precautions to prevent the COVID-19spread. "All people must take the lockdown protocol seriouslyasthere are chances of COVID-19 infection spreading if they comeout on to the streets. Police will arrest those who ventureout into the streets unnecessarily," Inspector General ofPolice Ashok Yadav, who is in charge of Kannur district, toldmediapersons on Tuesday. He said three SPs were in charge of the lockdownarrangements in Kannur districtand Thalassery area has beencategorised as a containment zone. "Stringent steps have been taken to ensure to keep peopleinside their homes. Kannur is under the red zone," Yadav said. Another senior police official told the police hasdecided to strengthen checking in all hotspots throughout thestate."This is because the chief minister had yesterdayannounced that lockdown protocol will be implemented in astrict manner. Inter-district travel will not be allowed andstrict checking is in place at all the 88 hotspots which arespread across all the districts," the official said. The hotspots are completely closed with just over twoentry and exit points and police had been strictly imposingthe lockdown protocol. The state government had earlier decided to allow dine-inservices at hotels and restaurants, plying of buses in cities,private vehicles on odd-even basis, pillion riding in two-wheelers among other relaxations from Monday in green andorgange B zones, but rolled back some of them after the Centreobjected to them. A late night government order said there are 88 COVID-19hotspots, including Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi corporationareas, in the state and there would be no relaxations there. Kerala has so far reported 407 COVID-19 cases with twodeaths and the number of active cases as of Monday stood at114. RRT SSVS VS

Kannur comes under strict lockdown enforcement

Kerala's tally hits 587, with 87 active coronavirus cases, 497 recovered and three deaths

(Eds: Updating global ranking in para two; changing headline) New Delhi, May 31 () India registered its highest single-day spike of COVID-19 cases on Sunday with 8,380 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, taking the country's tally to 1,82,143, while the death toll rose to 5,164, according to the Union Health Ministry. India is now seventh among the worst pandemic-hit nations, according on the WHO coronavirus tracker. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood to 89,995, while 86,983 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, it said. "Thus, around 47.76 per cent patients have recovered so far," a senior health ministry official said. In the last 24 hours, 4,614 patients were found cured, the ministry said. Through a graded, pre-emptive and pro-active approach, the government is taking several steps along with the States/UTs for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19, the ministry said, adding that these are being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level. The total confirmed cases includes foreigners. The death toll has gone up by 193 since Saturday morning, of which 99 deaths were reported from Maharashtra, 27 from Gujarat, 18 from Delhi, nine each from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, seven from West Bengal, six each from Tamil Nadu and Telangana, five from Bihar, three from Uttar Pradesh, two from Punjab, and one each from Haryana and Kerala. Of the total 5,164 fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 2,197 deaths, followed by Gujarat (1,007), Delhi (416), Madhya Pradesh (343), West Bengal (309), Uttar Pradesh (201), Rajasthan (193), Tamil Nadu (160), Telangana (77) and Andhra Pradesh (60). The death toll reached 48 in Karnataka, 44 in Punjab, 28 in Jammu and Kashmir, 20 in Haryana, 20 in Bihar, nine in Kerala, and seven in Odisha. Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand have each registered five COVID-19 fatalities, Chandigarh and Assam have recorded four deaths each, while Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh have reported one COVID-19 fatality each so far. More than 70 per cent of the deaths are due to co-morbidities, the ministry said. According to the health ministry data updated in the morning, the highest number of confirmed cases in the country are from Maharashtra at 65,168, followed by Tamil Nadu at 21,184, Delhi at 18,549, Gujarat at 16,343, Rajasthan at 8,617, Madhya Pradesh at 7,891 and Uttar Pradesh at 7,445. The number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 5,130 in West Bengal, 3,636 in Bihar, 3,569 in Andhra Pradesh, 2,922 in Karnataka, 2,499 in Telangana, 2,341 in Jammu and Kashmir, 2,233 in Punjab and 1,923 in Haryana. Odisha has reported 1,819 coronavirus cases, Kerala has 1,208 cases, Assam has 1,185, Uttarakhand has 749, Jharkhand has 563, Chhattisgarh has 447, Himachal Pradesh has 313, Chandigarh has 289, Tripura has 268, Ladakh has 74 and Goa has 70. Manipur has reported 62 COVID-19 cases, Puducherry has 51 cases of infection, Nagaland has recorded 36 cases, while Andaman and Nicobar Islands has registered 33 infections. Meghalaya has registered 27 cases, Arunachal Pradesh has reported four cases, Dadar and Nagar Haveli has two cases, while Mizoram and Sikkim have reported a case each till how. "5,491 cases are being reassigned to states," the ministry said on its website, adding that, "Our figures are being reconciled with the ICMR." State-wise distribution is subject to further verification and reconciliation, it said. ASK SMN RDM RDM

COVID-19: India records highest single-day spike of 8,380 cases; 7th worst-hit country now

By Manoj Rammohan New Delhi, Apr 12 () As states scramble to raise funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has urged the Centre to liberalise its fiscal policy by printing more currency and allowing states to borrow directly from the Reserve Bank. While expressing optimism that Kerala will get nod for issuance of pandemic bonds, Isaac also warned that the current limitations on the fiscal policy front could push states into a "debt trap". In a telephonic interview to , Isaac said states should not be forced to go to the capital markets at this time and the Centre should first raise the fiscal deficit limit as well as permit direct borrowing from the Reserve Bank. On Tuesday, Kerala had to offer an interest rate of 8.96 per cent for Rs 6,000 crore market borrowing for state development loan for a 15-year period. "All states are going for a lower amount and a shorter period. Now, the coupon rate is an average of eight-plus. The question is why the market is behaving like this... there is a freeze in the credit market. "There are limitations due to the fiscal policy. Government of India should directly borrow from the Reserve Bank, monetise the debt and also allow states to borrow from the Reserve Bank," he said. Otherwise, Isaac said the situation would put all state governments in a debt trap. "When the crisis ends, all state governments will be in serious unsustainable debt situation. GDP is going to be negative and paying around 9 per cent interest, then that is unsustainable. This policy will push state governments into a fiscal crisis," he said during the interview on Friday. Kerala, which has put in place stringent measures to curb spreading of coronavirus infections and flatten the curve, has come out with a Rs 20,000 crore package to deal with the current situation by front loading borrowings. "The central government is forcing state governments to cut their expenditure. This is a very crazy policy. In a slump, you are forcing state governments to cut expenditure," he said. Presently, a state is permitted to borrow up to 3 per cent of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). "We already have hard budget constraints... We are permitted to borrow 3 per cent of the GSDP. We have front loaded our borrowings so that we are able to meet demands due to the crisis "... unless you provide basic necessities to the entire population who are under the lockdown you are not going to get compliance. This is what is proved by the experience in the major cities in India with flights of lakhs of people undermining the very motive of the lockdown," he said. Asserting that printing of money is "absolutely" practical and fits the time, Isaac cited the examples of the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank and said that is the pattern all over the world. The Federal Reserve and many other central banks are directly purchasing bonds as part of efforts to ensure liquidity in the market. While noting that the state government would be going to the market for raising a lower amount, Isaac stressed that if one is serious about fighting the coronavirus pandemic, then better that the money is available and there is no point in getting the money after one month when the whole country has gone to the dogs. On Wednesday, the minister said Rs 6,000 crore borrowed from the market on Tuesday is Kerala's share in the first tranche of the Rs 1.27 lakh crore market borrowing that the Centre allowed for the states in 2020-21. Paying 8.96 per cent interest for 15 years on this loan would leave the state in a deep debt trap from which it would be difficult to come out, Isaac had said. Emphasising that the central government should understand and be more liberal in its fiscal policy and support, the minister said more needs to be spent on relief. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding proposal to issue pandemic bonds, which will have a lower interest rate. When asked whether he was optimistic about getting the Centre's nod for issuance of pandemic bonds, Isaac replied in the affirmative. "Yes. Pandemic bonds will be specially for Covid related measures. It should be at a lower interest rate because it is not going to have any capital expenditure or revenue expenditure for giving relief to people...," he said. Pandemic bonds would effectively work like monetisation of fiscal deficit -- which means the central bank prints more money to pay for government debt by buying up government bonds and booking the same on its balance-sheet. To a query on whether any other practical option was being planned in case pandemic bonds issuance does not happen, Isaac said the central government has to change its policy. "I am certain that compulsions of the current situation will force the central government to change its fiscal policy which is as idiotic as the demonetisation policy," he noted. Later this month, Issac said he would be convening a webinar with representatives from states to discuss states' finances as well as the coronavirus situation. The webinar is scheduled to be held on April 27 and 28. RAM ABMABM

You Searched For "Coronavirus in Kerala" and got 14 results

Four-month-old baby girl dies of Coronavirus in Kerala

PTI

Coronavirus outbreak: Kerala finance minister moots 'pandemic bonds' to tide over financial woes

PTI

over 7,000 people under observation in kerala only: Coronavirus

BI India Bureau

Kerala’s tourism is infected following three confirmed cases of coronavirus

Preeti Soni

Now, Kerala's border districts in Karnataka are on Coronavirus alert too

IANS

Coronavirus: A 3-year old child tests positive in Kochi, Kerala now has 6 cases

IANS

12 more coronavirus cases reported in Kerala, tally rises to 357

PTI

9 new COVID-19 cases in Kerala; Active cases rises to 263

PTI

Kerala records 9 new COVID-19 cases, total rises to 345

PTI

Ker govt launches WhatsApp number to report domestic violence during lockdown

PTI

Kannur comes under strict lockdown enforcement

PTI

Kerala's tally hits 587, with 87 active coronavirus cases, 497 recovered and three deaths

Prabhjote Gill

COVID-19: India records highest single-day spike of 8,380 cases; 7th worst-hit country now

PTI

Covid-19: Allow states to directly borrow from RBI, says Kerala FM Thomas Isaac

PTI

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