Discoms with dues barred from covid loans

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Hong Kong's leader has said she would not impose a mainland China-style hard lockdown as the city faces its worst coronavirus wave to date, even as she vowed no switch to living with Covid-19.

Beijing Winter Olympics on Tuesday, his second medal of the 2022 Games.Parrot won the gold in the slopestyle event last week. So far, it is Canada’s only gold of these Games.The 27-year-old Quebec native fell in his first of three runs, but recovered on his second jump by landing a huge cab 1800 to earn a score of 94 — the second highest overall for that run.He then scored a respectable 76.25 with a 1620 in his third and final run, his top two scores combining to claim second place.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith on Tuesday (15) called on the masses to respond at the appropriate time to the attempts being made to suppress the truth through intimidation.“If Shehan Malaka did not go live on social media, the country would have never known that he was being forcefully taken away by a group in a white van. He had the courage to reveal this to the country,” said His Eminence.He slammed the police over its conduct in arresting people adding that Sri Lanka Police must be present in uniform when making an arrest and must use a police jeep for such purpose.“Police officers must read the charges against any accused when making an arrest,” he said adding that the Shehan Malaka was not arrested, but abducted in broad daylight.His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith termed such conduct as uncivilized and immoral, which is not suitable for a democratic community.The Archbishop of Colombo also took a blow at the present Attorney General, noting that he is a public servant and NOT a political stooge.He said the Attorney General who is expected to enforce the recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that probed the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks, is making attempts to arrest those who are calling for justice over the Terror Attacks.“I request the people to understand the conspiratorial conduct of the government.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Minister granted approval on Monday (14) to provide 15 kg of wheat flour per month at a concessionary rate to 115,867 beneficiary families working in the estate sector.According to the Department of Government Information approval was granted to the Finance Minister’s proposal ‘Implementation of proposals to minimize economic constraints confronted by the public’, on the 18th of January 2022.A committee led by the Trade Minister had thereafter issued a recommendation considering the resolution for wheat flour relief for estate worker families, and thus the recommendations were approved.

Thousands of nurses in Australia's most populous state walked off the job for the first time in nearly a decade to begin a 24-hour strike after talks with the government to plug staff shortages and secure a pay rise failed.

After a long and disruptive blockade against COVID mandates was cleared, the Ambassador Bridge border crossing in Windsor, Ontario, is open to travel, despite a heavily police presence. As Mike Drolet reports, a small group of protesters remain.

The current COVID-19 restrictions are set to expire this week and the province is expected to announce an easing of restrictions Tuesday. Many are wondering what our lives will look like over the next few weeks and months, especially those working in the affected industries.

freedom convoy” protesters who have disrupted the nation’s capital.Brad Howland, president of Easy-Kleen Pressure Systems Ltd., confirmed the donation, the largest from within Canada, following a hack of crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo.Howland declined to speak to Global News but said in a statement he had travelled to Ottawa to witness the “beautiful, legal, peaceful protest that overwhelmed us with emotion.”“We are thankful to be blessed enough to support their efforts to do what they have to do in a peaceful way until the government removes the mandates to restore all our freedom as pre-COVID,” he said.Protest organizers have secured millions in pledges from donors on GiveSendGo, the U.S.-based Christian crowdfunding platform that is hosting the fundraising campaign.

Trudeau invokes Emergencies Act for 1st time to aid convoy blockade response Kenney referenced the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, legislation that allows law enforcement to arrest and fine anyone impeding what is deemed critical economic infrastructure, including railways and highways.He said the legislation gives the province sanctions “that are quite similar to the court injunction obtained by Ontario” to break up a blockade on the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., over the weekend.Kenney said he is concerned invoking the Emergencies Act could have the potential to make things worse at the Coutts blockade.“I think at this point, for the federal government to reach in over top of us, without offering anything in particular, would frankly be unhelpful,” Kenney said.“I think we need to find ways to effectively enforce without escalating the situation.” RCMP arrest 13 people, seize weapons and ammunition near Coutts border blockade Kenney’s comments come after several arrests were made and more than a dozen long guns, handguns, ammunition and body armour were seized at the blockade. The premier described the group as a “militant cell” and said it’s why there has been “a relatively light touch on enforcement.”It’s the first time the Emergencies Act has been enacted in Canada, which Trudeau said would have a time and geographic limitation to areas impacted by the blockades and where law enforcement deems the expanded powers are needed.According to Trudeau, the expanded powers will give police more tools for enforcement and allow the RCMP to enforce municipal bylaws and provincial offences where it’s necessary.“The potential for violent acts I think remains.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Minister on Monday (14) granted approval to prepare a road map and strategic plan to make Sri Lanka a Carbon-Net Zero country by 2050.The Department of Government Information in a statement said that ” If a country is to reach a carbon-Net zero, it must primarily reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and increase its carbon dioxide-absorbing ecosystems.”According to the statement, the Cabinet had identified the need to develop the road map and strategic plan to achieve the goal of making Sri Lanka Carbon-Net Zero.Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Environment to design a road map that is revised every 05 years after reviewing the progress and to formulate a five-year strategic plan, and appoint a committee of experts to do so.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers had extensively discussed the need to integrate non-motorized modes of transport, especially cycling, into the national transport system.“The use of non-motorized transport has a positive effect on reducing air pollution as well as on health, air quality, environment, climate change, and personal finances,” said the Department of Government Information on Tuesday (15).Therefore, it has been identified that non-motor systems should be integrated with existing transport systems to maximize economic and environmental benefits, it added.Accordingly, taking into consideration the submissions made by the Minister of Environment, the relevant Ministries and Institutions agreed to take the following steps under a joint approach.– Marking of bicycle lanes suitable for existing roads and upgrading of existing pedestrian lanes– Steps to include bicycle and pedestrian lanes for future roads– Taking necessary measures to encourage the use of bicycles for the staff of government offices– Providing necessary facilities for office cyclists including parking and access.

Lockdowns were tough for most musicians – but for one Scot, they provided the opportunity of a lifetime.

PHILADELPHIA - As COVID-19 numbers continue to trend down in Philadelphia, city officials who have been hesitant to pull back restrictions may be ready to take a small step forward.Senior Director of Operations for Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association Ben Fileccia said he expects Philadelphia officials to make an announcement Wednesday about metrics they will use to determine appropriate mandates going forward. The Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday night reported that the city could end its vaccine requirement to dine indoors as early as this week, and the indoor mask mandate may lift soon after.Several states across the country have announced an end to universal mask mandates over the last several weeks, including nearby Delaware. New Jersey Gov.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - A Chester County judge granted an injunction against Tower Health on Monday which breathed new life into the potential sale of two recently shuttered hospitals.Texas-based Canyon Atlantic sought to buy Brandywine and Jennersville hospitals last year, but Tower Health officials said the deal fell through, and both hospitals closed in Dec. and Jan. The closure raised concerns among residents and county officials alike that Chester County Hospital would have a hard time managing the influx of new patients. "This is a huge void now, and it’s going to create some serious challenges for patients that would normally be 10 minutes away are going to have to go 30 minutes away, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on EMS," Former Director of Pastoral Care at Brandywine Hospital Reverend Garry Fowler said. Chester County Hospital vouched for a modular emergency room in its parking lot to add additional beds, a move that was unanimously supported by the West Goshen Township Board of Supervisors.Tower Health closed Brandywine Hospital on Monday night, leaving the Chester County community concerned about the availability of healthcare.

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CBD Kratom in Wayne, Pennsylvania has been shut down after opening in close proximity to two schools.  WAYNE, Pa. - A CBD shop inside a former Starbucks in Wayne, Pennsylvania, has been shut down after township officials said it should have never opened in the first place. Residents in the town were shocked when they saw a big cannabis leaf outside the old Starbucks store in town. CBD Kratom, located at 218 E Lancaster Avenue, opened up in close proximity to Radnor Middle School and St. Katharine of Siena School. Less than one day after it opened, township officials say they shut it down alleging no business, building or construction permits were applied for.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States is relocating its embassy operations in Ukraine from the nation’s capital in Kyiv to the western city of Lviv, officials announced Monday. The move comes amid a "dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces," at the Ukrainian border."We are in the process of temporarily relocating our Embassy operations in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv to Lviv due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces. The Embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government, coordinating diplomatic engagement in Ukraine.

HOUSTON - A tow truck driver has been arrested Sunday after crashing into another car with a baby inside in northwest Harris County, authorities said. SIGN UP FOR FOX 26 HOUSTON EMAIL ALERTSAccording to Harris Co. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, it happened in the 6600 block of Cunningham near W.

Assam government had tightened Covid curbs to contain the transmission of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. The state prohibited the entry of non-vaccinated people to public places, except hospitals. It said that all people are required to carry proof of being fully vaccinated while visiting public places/spaces. The state had allowed classes 9-12 on alternate days and had suspended offline classes up to Class 8.

Omicron variant that triggered the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in late December and which has now ebbed in the metropolis, the city civic body said on Monday. 

Conestoga High School switched back to remote learning on Feb. 14 after the school received threats over its mask policy.  BERWYN, Pa - Conestoga High School switched back to remote learning Monday after the school reported receiving threats. School officials updated the community with a special announcement from Superintendent Dr.

Alberta kids who went back to class on Monday had one less thing to pack: a face mask. Morgan Black has more on the first day of the masking mandate in schools being dropped.

The Ontario government has announced it will be fast tracking its reopening plans. Restaurant and gym owners react to the lifting capacity limits and vaccine mandates.

New polling suggests Canadians have had enough of the protests, and while most indicate they’re tired of the mandates, few are happy with the way things have unfolded. Keith Baldrey has more on that side of the story.

As hospitalizations linked to the Omicron variant decline, Ontario has unveiled its fast-tracked plans to remove pandemic restrictions on most businesses. Caryn Lieberman breaks down what rules are being lifted, which public spaces are affected, and the questions over what’s really motivating Premier Doug Ford.

Some people in Edmonton are angry with the way police handled the other side of the trucker convoy response on the weekend. While many drivers got away with blaring their horns and making noise in violation of a noise injunction, a large group of Edmonton Police Service officers showed up to threaten counter-protests with arrests and fines.

The government has already waived late fee for any delay in filing GSTR-3B from February to June, 2020 to reduce compliance burden for small businesses having turnover less than ₹5 crore amid the covid-19 crisis

State-owned lenders sanctioned loans worth ₹3,200 crore for small businesses on June 1 under the recently announced emergency credit line guarantee Scheme, the finance ministry said on Monday.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on Monday launched PM Svanidhi, or Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi scheme, which is a special micro-credit facility plan to provide affordable loan of up to ₹10,000 to more than 50 lakh street vendors, who had their businesses operational on or before 24 March. The the scheme is valid until March 2022.

NEW DELHI: The health crisis stemming from the covid-19 pandemic has expedited the implementation of National Digital Health Blueprint, languishing for over two years, aimed at maintaining interoperable health registry of all Indian citizens.

NEW DELHI : Listing of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and sale of government's stake in IDBI Bank may be delayed beyond March 2021, due to depressed valuation amid COVID-19 pandemic. The government aims to garner ₹90,000 crore from the listing of LIC and stake dilution in IDBI Bank out of total the disinvestment target of ₹2.10 lakh crore during the current fiscal.

The emergency credit line guarantee scheme has been announced to give an incentive to lenders to offer additional funding facility to MSME borrowers by providing them 100% guarantee for any losses suffered by the lenders due to any default

FSDC discussed the initiatives taken by the government and the regulators in the recent months to help revive the economy

NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday will chair a meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) amid the ongoing debilitating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy and the financial sector.

NEW DELHI: Power distribution companies (discoms), hoping to benefit from the Rs90,000 crore loans that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said PFC and REC will provide them to help them combat the covid-19-induced stress, are in for a surprise, according to a copy of the document seen by Mint. The power sector lenders have set stiff conditions to lend money under the scheme. One of them is that a distributor should not be owing money to either at the time of availing the loan.

Attending a special Board of Governors meeting through video conference on Wednesday, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman appreciated Kamath’s work 'for his stellar stewardship in very quickly giving shape to the vision stated by the BRICS Leaders in 2014'

NEW DELHI : The ₹90,000 crore package would provide only a temporary relief to power distribution companies but not long-term stability, India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) said on Tuesday.

Nirmala Sitharaman says making a 'realistic assessment' of economic growth would be difficult at this point of time as there is no clarity on when the pandemic would retreat

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the Finance Ministry compared every announcement made by different countries before India to see what their stimulus package consisted of.

MUMBAI : After finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman met heads of public sector banks on Friday, lenders said they plan to zealously implement the government’s plan for credit push to small businesses.

PSBs have sanctioned ₹6.68 tn in loans to small biz, retail, agri and corporate sectors between 1 March and 19 May

NEW DELHI: As the restaurant industry stares at significant job losses amid a slump in business due to the covid-19 lockdown and after the government's stimulus package offered little relief to the sector, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) met finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to seek policy and liquidity support.

NEW DELHI : If there is one entity that has earned the respect of a very cynical and hard-to-please group of people – stock and bond dealers, people in the financial sector and economists – it is the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the governorship of Shantikata Das. The confident body language, the measured speech and the emphatic statements about doing what it takes to beat the economy back into shape are in stark contrast to a fumbling finance minister – Nirmala Sitharaman – whose body language largely based on unfamiliarity with financial market terms and concepts, does not instill the same sense of comfort and confidence that Das does.

NEW DELHI : In his third such address since the coronavirus-induced lockdown began on March 25, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das is now holding a press conference. After the lockdown began, Das had slashed the benchmark interest rate (repo rate) by a massive 75 basis points and also announced a three-month moratorium to be given by banks to provide relief to borrowers whose income has been hit due to the lockdown.

In a letter sent to FM on Wednesday, FIDC, the representative body of NBFCs, has sought changes to the three liquidity schemes - ₹30,000 crore liquidity support scheme, ₹45,000 crore partial credit guarantee scheme and ₹3 lakh crore guaranteed loans for MSMEs

NEW DELHI : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold a review meeting with CEOs of public sector banks (PSBs) on Friday to discuss various issues, including loan disbursement, as part of efforts to revive the economy reeling under the COVID-19 impact, sources said.

Volatility may continue in Indian stock markets on Thursday, while trends in SGX Nifty indicates a flat opening for the benchmark indices. Asian shares edged higher in the morning trade after global equities and crude prices rallied overnight on hopes of a rapid economic recovery and government support.