Breaking News LIVE: Maharashtra Reports 11 New Cases Of Omicron, State Tally Reaches 65

Breaking News LIVE, December 21, 2021: This LIVE Blog brings to you the latest breaking news of upcoming polls, details on Covid variant Omicron & other news around.

Background

Breaking News LIVE, December 21, 2021: Hello and Welcome to the Daily Live Blog of ABP Live! We bring you the latest breaking news and updates from the day.The tally of Omicron cases in Gujarat rose to 14 on Monday after a 27-year-old woman from Vadodara with travel history to the UK and a couple from Tanzania visiting Ahmedabad were found infected with the new variant of coronavirus, officials said.The woman became the third case of the Omicron variant in Vadodara, while Gujarat's count rose to 14, they said.A couple from Tanzania in their mid-forties who are on Ahmedabad visit also tested positive for Omicron. They had arrived in India on December 11 via Mumbai. Their samples have confirmed the new variant, according to officials.The 27-year-old woman had returned to Vadodara from the UK on December 13 via Mumbai. She had tested negative for coronavirus at both the airports, a health department official said.Later, she complained of fever and gave samples for COVID-19 test, reports of which confirmed the coronavirus infection, the official said.Ahead of the UP polls in 2022, PM Modi will visit Prayagraj today to launch schemes to empower women.The programme is being held as per Modi's vision to empower women, especially at the grassroots level, by providing them with necessary skills, incentives and resources, the PMO said, adding that he will transfer an amount of Rs 1000 crore in the bank account of Self Help Groups (SHGs), benefitting around 16 lakh women members. This transfer is being done under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), with 80,000 SHGs receiving Community Investment Fund (CIF) of Rs 1.10 lakh per SHG and 60,000 SHGs receiving a revolving fund of Rs 15,000 per SHG, it said. 

21/12/2021 21:59:19

FM Sitharaman To Hold Pre-Budget Consultations With Economists On Wednesday

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair Pre-Budget consultations with prominent economists tomorrow in connection with the forthcoming General Budget 2022-23. The meetings are being held virtually, informed Ministry of Finance.

21/12/2021 21:45:43

Jammu & Kashmir Reports 3 Omicron Cases, Patients Have No Foreign History

Three cases of Omicron variant were confirmed here, Jammu and Kashmir's health and medical education department said on Tuesday. Officials said the three have no foreign history and all their close contacts have been identified and tested.

"Three Omicron cases confirmed by NCDC, Delhi from a cluster in Jammu. Samples were taken on 30th November. RTPCR testing of entire locality ordered," the Health and Medical Education department J&K wrote on its official Twitter handle.

21/12/2021 21:18:32

Maharashtra Reports 11 New Cases Of Omicron, State Tally Reaches 65

Maharashtra on Tuesday reported as many as 11 new cases of Omicron variant, the state Health Department informed. With this, Maharashtra's overall tally of new Covid variant has reached 65.

21/12/2021 17:03:22

Breaking News LIVE: No Evidence Suggests That Existing Vaccines Don't Work On Omicron, Says Govt

There is no evidence to suggest that existing vaccines do not work on Omicron variant of coronavirus, though some of the mutations reported on spike gene may decrease the efficacy of existing vaccines, Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

"There are limited available data, and no peer-reviewed evidence, on vaccine efficacy or effectiveness to date for Omicron," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a written reply.

21/12/2021 15:23:03

Breaking News LIVE: Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 Passed In Rajya Sabha

The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 passed in Rajya Sabha The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha yesterday. The Bill will give effect to the long-pending electoral reforms including linking Aadhaar with the voter ID card.

21/12/2021 15:07:15

Kolkata Municipal Election Results LIVE: TMC Wins 89 Seats And Leads In 44, BJP Bags 1 Seat

As per the latest trends in Kolkata Municipal Election results, TMC has won in 89 seats and is leading on 44 while BJP has won on 1 seat and leads on 3.

CPI wins 1 and CPI(M) win 1  seat each. Congress wins 2 while Independent leads at 3

21/12/2021 14:28:07

Breaking News LIVE: Smriti Irani Introduces Bill To Increase Marriage Age Of Women To 21

Union Child and Development Minister Smriti Irani has introduced the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill 2021 in Lok Sabha to increase the marriage age of girls from 18 to 21 in India.

21/12/2021 14:13:52

Breaking News LIVE: PM Modi Transfers Money To 1 Lak Beneficiaries To Help Girl Child

PM Modi also transfers money to over 1 lakh beneficiaries of Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Scheme,which provides assistance to girl child.

21/12/2021 14:11:40

Breaking News LIVE: Smriti Irani To Table Bill To Increase Marriage Age For Girls

Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development, Smriti Irani will introduce The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha today.

The Bill is to increase the age of marriage of women from 18 years to 21 years

21/12/2021 14:07:58

Breaking News LIVE: PM Modi Transfers Rs 1000 Cr To 16 Lakh Women Beneficiaries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi transferred Rs 1000 Cr to the bank account of women beneficiaries in Prayagraj. 

21/12/2021 13:26:19

Breaking News LIVE: PM Modi Reaches Prayaraj

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Prayagraj and is presently interacting with the women workers of self help groups and children.

21/12/2021 13:19:17

Breaking News LIVE: FIR Registered Against SAD MLA Bikram Majithia

FIR registered against SAD MLA Bikram Majithia at Punjab SAS Nagar Police Station in a drugs case under Section 25/27A/29 of NDPS Act on the basis of a report submitted by Special Task Force.

21/12/2021 13:18:18

Breaking News LIVE: Former Cong MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco Joins TMC

Former Congress Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco joins TMC in the presence of AITC Chief Mamata Banerjee.

21/12/2021 12:53:05

Kolkata Municipal Election Results LIVE: TMC Leads In 134 Seats, BJP Wins 3 Seats

The present trend of Kolkata Municipal Election Results TMC is leading in134 seats while the BJP has won 3 seats while Congress emerged victorious in 2 seats. The Left has won in 2 seats. The Independent is has won 3 seats.

21/12/2021 12:11:26

Kolkata Municipal Election Results LIVE: TMC Leads In 132 Seats, BJP Ahead In 5 Seats

According to the current trends of Kolkata Municipal Election Results, the TMC is leading in 132 seats. The BJP is leading just on 5 seats while the Congress is ahead in 2 seats. 
The Left is leading in 2 seats while the Independents lead in 3 seats.

21/12/2021 11:42:06

Breaking News LIVE: TMC Leads In 133 Seats In Kolkata Municipal Corporation

In Kolkata Municipal Corporation, TMC is leading in 133 seats while BJP is leading in 5 seats. Congress is currently leading in 2 seats right now.  Left is leading in 1 seat
Independent is leading in 3 seats.

21/12/2021 11:07:26

Breaking News LIVE: Cold Wave In Delhi, Air Quality Remains Poor

Delhi grappled with a cold wave on Tuesday as the minimum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory, considered the official marker for the capital city, settled at four degrees Celsius, four notches below normal.

On Monday, the national capital had recorded a low of 3.2 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal and the lowest so far this season.

Though there was a marginal rise in the minimum temperature, it was still on the lower side, as the weather remained chilly in the morning.

The relative humidity was recorded at 94 per cent, according to the India Meteorological Department.

In the plains, the IMD declares a cold wave if the minimum temperature dips to 4 degrees Celsius. A cold wave is also declared when the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius or below and is 4.5 notches below than normal.

21/12/2021 11:02:33

Breaking News LIVE: India's Total Omicron Tally Reaches 200

With the daily rise in Omicron Cases, India's total tally of Omicron patients has reached 200 with Maharashtra recording the highest.

 

21/12/2021 10:46:35

Breaking News LIVE: BJP's Parliament Meet Concludes

BJP's parliamentary meeting chaired by PM Modi has concluded and according to ABP News sources, govt has maintain its stand on suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha MPs from Parliament.

Kiren Rijiju (Law Minister) gave a presentation that why does the country need the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill that was passed in the Lok Sabha yesterday: Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal after BJP Parliamentary Party meeting

21/12/2021 10:36:51

Breaking News LIVE: Oppn Leaders Hold Meet To Discuss Parliament Strategy

Opposition leaders hold a meeting in Parliament to chalk out strategy for the ongoing Winter Session

21/12/2021 10:18:42

Breaking News LIVE: TMC Leads On 114 In Kolkata Municipal Polls

Kolkata Municipal Corporation | TMC leading on 114, BJP on 2, CPI(M) on 2, Congress on 2, Independent 1, as per official trends by West Bengal State Election Commission. 

21/12/2021 09:36:49

Breaking News LIVE: India Reports 5,326 Fresh Covid Cases, Records Surge In Death Toll

India reports 5,326 new Covid cases, 8,043 recoveries, and 453 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases: 79,097 Total recoveries: 3,41,95,060 Death toll: 4,78,007 Total Vaccination: 1,38,34,78,181

21/12/2021 09:27:35

Breaking News LIVE: HM Amit Shah Arrives For BJP Parliamentary Meeting

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives for BJP Parliamentary Party meeting to be held shortly.

21/12/2021 09:20:45

Breaking News LIVE: Deoband Clerics Oppose Raising Marriage Age For Girls

The clerics of Darul-Uloom Deoband, a renowned Islamic seminary, have voiced their opposition to the Centre's decision to raise the marriage age of girls from 18 to 21 years.

This comes after the Khaps of western Uttar Pradesh declined to accept the decision and announced that they would convene a Maha Panchayat to discuss the issue.

Deoband clerics have said that the decision seems to have been taken 'in haste and must be reconsidered'.

Jamiat Dawat Ul Muslimeen's patron Ishaq Gora said that if the Union government wants to make it a law, "then they should have consulted the religious heads of all faiths".

The cleric further said that "India is a country where people follow and obey religious heads more than the government."

He stated, "Our government has the right to make any law. But after raising the age of marriage for girls, the government should not be in a hurry to implement it."

21/12/2021 08:59:09

Breaking News LIVE: Lok Sabha To Introduce Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Works Accountants Today

The Lok Sabha is likely to discuss and pass the Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Works Accountants and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 2021 today.

The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha last week.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move the Bill for amendment to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959 and the Company Secretaries Act, 1980. She will also move that the Bill be passed by the Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras is likely to move a motion for election of two members for the Council of the National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) from the Lok Sabha.

Report of the committee of absence of members from sitting of the House will be also present in the Lower house.

Amit Shah is to lay the paper related to the Ministry of Cooperation. Union Ministers Sitharaman, Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahald Singh Patel, Ramdas Athawale, Niranjan Jyoti, Nityanand Rai, Pankaj Chaudhary, Shobha Karandlaje, Kailash Choudhary, B.L. Verma, Ajay Kumar, Pratima Bhoumik, Dr L. Murugan will also lay paper of their respective ministry.

Twelfth report of the Committee on Estimates (2021-22) on the subject 'Review of Progress of all AIIMS' pertaining to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will also be presented.

21/12/2021 08:50:54

Breaking News LIVE: Delhi Records 4° Celsius temperature

Minimum temperature recorded at 4°C at around 8:30 am in Safdarjung area of Delhi, this morning: India Meteorological Department

21/12/2021 08:41:39

Breaking News LIVE: Security Tightened In Prayagraj Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit

Foolproof security arrangements have been made in Prayagraj for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister will stay in Prayagraj for two hours as per the programme, during which the traffic movement will be diverted.

The entire route has been sanitized and special vigil is being maintained at the venue.

Prime Minister Modi will arrive in the holy city at around 1 p.m. at Bamrauli airport and the proceed to the parade ground by helicopter.

The Prime Minister will inspect an exhibition and then participate in the programme - where he will transfer Rs 1,000 crore into the accounts of over one lakh self-help groups (SHGs).

After the function, the Prime Minister will return to Delhi.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who inspected the arrangements at the venue on Monday, has asked officials not to allow unidentified persons at the venue.

Officials said that 67 schools have been selected for lodging the women members of SHGs and beneficiaries of other schemes while 32 schools have been earmarked for the stay of police and security personnel.

"Special attention has been paid to security and stricter arrangements are in place this time. There is also a large presence of women security personnel because women are the main participants at the function," said a senior police official.

21/12/2021 08:16:59

Breaking News LIVE: Two More Foreign Returnees Test Positive In Bengal, To Be Checked For Omicron

Two more foreign returnees to West Bengal tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and they were sent for isolation, an official said.

Genome sequencing of the woman who arrived from Ireland and the UK returnee would be done Tuesday to find out if they are afflicted with the Omicron variant of coronavirus, the official said.

The woman is undergoing treatment in Beleghata ID hospital in Kolkata while the man is in home isolation in the city, he said.

On Sunday, two other persons who reached had reached Kolkata from Europe tested positive for the pathogen.

The health department official said that another patient, who was found Omicron positive in New Delhi on December 10 and underwent treatment there, returned to the city on Monday after he tested negative for the disease.

"He is in home isolation along with his wife and daughter who were negative all through. All are in home isolation and being followed up as per protocol," he said.

21/12/2021 08:14:33

Breaking News LIVE: J&K's Power Dept Employees Call Off Strike

Protesting employees of the Power Development Department in Jammu and Kashmir have called off their strike after written assurance from the administration to put on hold the proposed merger of PDD with Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI).

An official team led by Divisional commissioner Ragav Langar and ADGP Mukesh Singh held fresh talks on the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday with the PDD employee's association led by its general secretary S Tickoo and gave them a written assurance, sources said.

The government agreed to put on hold the merger of the Power Development Department (PDD) with PGCI and set up committee to take a relook, they said.

An official said the strike has been called off by the protesting employees and they will resume duties on Tuesday.