In what comes as a boost to both the Atmanirbhar Abhiyan and the Make in India campaign, India has now become the second-largest producer of Personal Protection Equiptment (PPE) kits in the world, only behind China. "Not long ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic began, not a single PPE kit was being produced in India," Prime Minister Narendra Modi had informed this in his speech when he announced the inevitability of the lockdown 4.0.

From zero to second largest in the world, India has come a long way in times when the world needs industry leaders to stand out and lead the people out of a situation of crisis.

Saudi Arabia has declared that Saturday will be the last day of the holy month of Ramadan and Sunday will be the first day of Eid-Ul-Fitr.

In a statement, the Royal Court of the Kingdom quoting the Supreme Court, said, the new moon of month of Shawal, which follows Ramadan, was not seen.

Therefore, it has been decided that Saturday will be the 30th day of Ramadan and that Sunday will be the first day of Shawal and Eid-Ul-Fitr, the statement added.

The Supreme Court congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince, the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Muslim expatriates living in the country as well as all Islamic nations all over the world on the advent of the blessed Eid-Ul-Fitr.

The Centre will provide 1,000 crore rupees advance financial assistance to West Bengal for post-Amphan restoration work. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this at Bashirhat in North 24 Paraganas District of West Bengal after an administrative meeting to assess the extent of damages caused by the supper cyclonic storm.

Prime Minister also announced two lakh rupees compensation to the families of the each victims killed in the storm-related incidents. He also informed that a Central team will also arrive in the state soon to assess the damages. Earlier, accompanying the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Prime Minister made an aerial survey at cyclone hit areas of the state.

The Chhattisgarh government Thursday launched the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojna, by transferring Rs 1,500 crore into the accounts of more than 18,000 farmers.

This was the first installment of a Rs 5,750-crore scheme, meant to benefit farmers sowing 14 types of crops. The scheme was inaugurated through video conferencing on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, in the presence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, at Baghel’s residence office.

The scheme aims to ensure minimum income availability to farmers growing one rabi and 13 kharif season crops in the state. It is similar to the Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) that was proposed by Rahul Gandhi in the last Lok Sabha polls.

The severe cyclonic storm Ampan has caused extensive damage to the four coastal districts of Odisha- Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapada and Jagatsingpur.

The state government has asked the Collectors of the four districts to submit a report within 48 hours regarding the damages caused by Amphan .

The cyclonic storm Amphan caused widespread damage to the four districts Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapada, and Jagatsingpur of coastal Odisha. While one minor allegedly died in Bhadrak district but the government is yet to confirm whether it happened due to Amphan . Some parts of coastal Odisha experienced heavy to heavy rainfall with the speedy wind.

Several trees were uprooted, roofs of kutcha houses blown away, and power infrastructure suffered damaged in these four districts as maximum wind speed crossed 100 km per hour in some places.

Railways has said that the booking of tickets for 200 trains which will run from 1st of June will commence from 10 AM today. These trains will be fully reserved trains having both AC and Non AC classes. General coaches shall also have reserved seat for sitting. There will be no unreserved coach in the train. Only four categories of Divyangjan concession and eleven categories of patient concessions are permitted in these special trains. Railways Ministry said, these special services will be in addition to the existing Shramik special trains and Special AC trains.

The Ministry said, other regular Passenger services including all mail and express, passenger and suburban services shall remain cancelled until further advice. The fare in these trains will be normal and for General coaches, second seating fare shall be charged and seat will be provided to all the passengers. No catering charges will be included in the fare. Provision for prepaid meal booking, and e-catering shall be disabled. Our correspondent reports that all stalls at stations including food plazas will be opened but only take away food will be given.

The Centre has notified the reduction in statutory rate of contributions from 12 per cent  to 10 per cent for wage months period from May to  July, 2020 for all class of establishments covered under the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 .

Earlier,the government had announced  to reduce the rate  as part of Atma-Nirbhar Bharat package. Ministry of Labour and Employment in a statement said that the notification in this regard is available  on the home page of EPFO website. It said, reduction in rate of EPF contributions from 12 per cent  to 10 percent of basic wages and Dearness allowances is intended to benefit both 4.3 Crore employees and employers of 6.5 lakhs establishments to tide over the immediate liquidity crisis to some extent.

As a result of reduction in statutory rate of contributions,  the employee will have a higher take home pay and employers will also have their liabilities reduced by 2 per cent of wages of the  employees.

Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched a new mobile app named  - the ‘National Test Abhyas'. The App has been developed by National Testing Agency-NTA to enable candidates to take mock tests for upcoming exams such as JEE Main and  NEET under the NTA’s purview.

The app has been launched to facilitate candidates’ access to high quality mock tests as there was a demand for making up the loss to students due to closure of educational institutions and NTA’s Test-Practice Centers  due to the  lockdown. Students across the country can use the App to access high quality tests, free of cost, in a bid to be fully prepared for the upcoming JEE, NEET and other competitive exams. The tests can be easily downloaded.

Speaking at the occasion, the HRD Minister said, this timely launch is designed to ensure that no student is left behind in getting exposure to practice testing, especially  when student's loss due to closure of educational institutions is to be compensated.

Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said Indian Railways will run 200 non-AC trains daily from 1st of the next month. In a series of tweets yesterday, the Railway Minister said online booking will start soon. These trains will be run in addition to the Shramik Special Trains and Indian Railways is planning to double the numbers of Shramik Trains to bring more relief to the migrant workers.

The Railway Minister said, in future, numbers of Shramik Special trains will be increased on a large scale.

Mr. Goyal said, State governments are requested to help the workers and register them with the nearest station and give the list to the railways, so that the railway workers can run special trains. He said, workers are requested to stay in their place. He assured that Indian Railways will take the workers to their destination.

Our correspondent reports that more than 21 lakh 50 thousand migrants have been transported to their home states through Shramik Special trains in 19 days by operating more than 1600 “Shramik Special” trains.

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Monday participated in the 73rd World Health Assembly through video conference and highlighted the timely, graded and proactive measures taken by India towards COVID management.

Health Minister said India undertook the COVID-19 challenge with the highest level of political commitment.

The Minister said India took all necessary steps well in time, including surveillance at points of entry, evacuation of nationals stranded overseas, massive community surveillance through robust disease surveillance network, and strengthening of health infrastructure.

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan urged upon all Governments, industry and philanthropy to prioritize the long term and pool their resources, to ensure everyone benefits.