New Delhi, Feb 7: India logged 89 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases declined to 1,771, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.
The death toll stands at 5,30,745, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,83,543). The daily positivity was recorded at 0.14 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.08 per cent.
The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.81 per cent, the ministry said.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,51,027, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry’s website, 220.57 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.
The country crossed the grim milestone of four crore on January 25 last year.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan on Tuesday gave suspension of business notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss “the issue of investment by LIC, Public Sector Banks and financial institutions in companies losing market value, endangering the hard-earned savings of crores of Indians”.

“I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) of my intention to move the following motion for the suspension of business listed for February 7, 2023:- That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to discuss the issue of investment by LIC, Public Sector Banks and Financial Institutions in companies losing market value, endangering the hard-earned savings of crores of Indians,” the Congress MP wrote to Rajya Sabha Chairman. The budget session of Parliament started on January 31 this year with the joint Address by President Droupadi Murmu. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget 2023-24 on February 1.

Since then there has been no business in Parliament because of the continued logjam over the Adani issue. The Opposition has demanded that the government should come up and respond in Parliament about the Adani stock issue following which disruption has been witnessed in both Houses.

Opposition parties are demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the allegations of stock manipulation against the Adani Group.

On Monday, opposition parties forced adjournments in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Hindenburg-Adani row with the government insisting that debate on the motion of thanks on President’s Address should be taken up. Opposition MPs also staged a protest near the Gandhi statue in Parliament House on Monday.

The Opposition parties are demanding discussion over investment by LIC, public sector banks, and financial institutions “in companies losing market value, endangering the savings of crores of Indians” following a report by a US-based short seller Hindenburg Research which made allegations against some companies of Adani group.

A report by a US-based Hindenburg Research surfaced on January 24, claiming that the Adani Group had weak business fundamentals, and was involved in stock manipulation and accounting fraud, among others. The report triggered a sell-off of shares of all Adani Group companies.

The Adani group had termed the report “nothing but a lie”.

A meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary party is scheduled to be held today in Parliament.

The weekly meeting of the BJP in the Parliament takes place every Tuesday when the House is in function. Discussion on crucial issues, including the recently passed Union Budget 2023-24 is likely to take place in this meeting.

Among the top leaders of the party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to attend the meeting.

The Prime Minister is also expected to address the party meeting where he is likely to guide the BJP MPs.

The budget session of Parliament started on January 31 this year with the joint Address by President Droupadi Murmu. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget 2023-24 on February 1.

Since then there has been no business in Parliament because of the continued logjam over the Adani issue. The Opposition has demanded that the government should come up and respond in Parliament about the Adani stock issue following which disruption has been witnessed in both Houses.

Opposition parties are demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the allegations of stock manipulation against the Adani Group.

The first half of the Budget session will continue till February 13 and the second half will be held from March 13 to April 6.

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday lauded the Indian Navy for successfully safeguarding the country’s maritime interests and trade routes and providing assistance to the people during times of crisis.

Droupady Murmu was addressing officers of the Indian Naval Material Management Service, Assistant Executive Engineers of Central Engineering Services (Roads) and officer trainees of the Indian Posts & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service when they called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, she told the officers of the Indian Naval Material Management Service that they would hold key responsibilities in ensuring the availability of critical supplies to naval ships, submarines and aircraft.

Addressing the officer trainees of the Indian Posts & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service, the President noted that the telecom sector has a crucial role in advancing digital connectivity for achieving rapid economic progress.

”The Digital India initiative is helping the government deliver various public services with more efficiency and transparency. However, we should continue to strive to connect the still unconnected masses, especially in the rural and remote areas,” she added.

Addressing officers of the Central Engineering Services (Roads), President Murmu said connectivity and road infrastructure was vital for the economic growth and development of a nation. In recent years, the government has taken several initiatives to build new highways and upgrade the existing ones. This would ensure faster transportation of goods and ensure better connectivity for the people as well as generate employment opportunities.

”It is the responsibility of officers of the Central Engineering Services to ensure that the infrastructure projects they undertake are energy efficient, eco-friendly and sustainable,” she said and urged the officers to innovate and implement the best engineering and technological solutions to minimise road accidents.

New Delhi, Feb 6 The Supreme Court on Monday said that it will hear on March 17 pleas dealing with two separate issues of alleged “fraudulent conversions” and challenge to various state laws on religious conversions due to interfaith marriages respectively.
     A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was urged by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, who has filed a PIL in his personal capacity, that his plea against fraudulent religious conversions was distinct from the batch of petitions which are challenging the validity of various state laws on religious conversions.
     “I am neither supporting the state laws nor opposing them. My petition deals with separate issue of fraudulent religious conversions,” the lawyer told the bench which also comprised Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala.
     Upadhyay sought hearing on his PIL separately.
     “All the petitions are before us on March 17, 2023,” the CJI said and for the time being, ruled out the possibility of a separate hearing on the PIL.
     The PIL has sought direction to the Centre and states to take tough steps to control fraudulent religious conversions.
     Various petitions, including the one filed by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, were filed challenging the validity of various state laws on anti-conversion.
     The Muslim body also seek transfer of 21 cases to the top court that have challenged state laws regulating religious conversions due to interfaith marriages.
     On February 3, the top court had sought the responses of the Centre and six states on a plea moved by the Muslim body, seeking a transfer of 21 cases that have challenged state laws regulating religious conversions.
     The Muslim body has sought a transfer of three petitions pending in the Gujarat High Court, five in the Allahabad High Court, three in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, three in the Jharkhand High Court, six in the Madhya Pradesh High Court and one petition in the Karnataka High Court, which have challenged the respective state laws.
     Besides, two separate petitions have been filed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, challenging the interim orders of the respective high courts that stayed certain provisions of the state laws on conversion.
    The Uttar Pradesh law relates to not only interfaith marriages but all religious conversions and lays down elaborate procedures for anyone who wishes to convert to another religion.
    The Uttarakhand law entails a two-year jail term for those found guilty of religious conversion through “force or allurement”. The allurement can be in the form of cash, employment or material benefits.