Latest News: Prakash Ambedkar backs farmers' protest, Covaxin's phase-1 trials & more

1. Maha Govt Hints At Challenging Bombay HC Order Staying Car Shed Work In Kanjurmarg

On Wednesday, Maharashtra government hinted at appealing against order of a two-judge Bombay HC bench pertaining to Mumbai Metro 3 car shed. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni stayed transfer of 102-acres land in Kanjurmarg to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for construction of car shed. HC, which was hearing Centre’s writ petition filed through deputy salt commissioner, adjourned matter till February 2021.

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2. Prakash Ambedkar Backs Farmers' Stir

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar anunced his party's support for farmers' stir against agrarian laws. He revealed that VBA workers will st protests at various places across Maharashtra from December 17 onwards to show solidarity with farmers. Moreover, he appealed to farmers of state to participate in this agitation. On this occasion, he lamented that Centre was t ready to incorporate MSP guarantee in Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. 

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3. BBL's Covaxin's Phase-1 Trial's Interim Findings Indicate Vaccine 'well-tolerated'

As both Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech Ltd (BBL) await Drug Controller of India (DGCI)'s approval of emergency use of ir Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, interim findings from phase-1 trials of BBL's 'Covaxin' was well-tolerated in all dose groups with serious adverse events. Moreover, after first vaccination, local and systemic adverse events were predominantly mild/moderate in severity. Currently, Subject Expert Committee of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is mulling approving SII's 'Covishield', BBL's 'Covishield', and Pfizer's vaccine for emergency use of ir COVID vaccines. 

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4. Kerala Local Body Polls: Vijayan Thanks Voters As LDF Leads

Thanking citizens for reposing ir faith in ruling LDF government, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remarked that win in local body polls symbolizes victory for 'secularism and inclusive development'. Left Democratic Front (LDF) is leading in 520 of 945 grama panchayats whereas Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in 371. In a veiled attack on BJP, CM Vijayan also stated that efforts to destabilise government using central ncies have been defeated. state is also expected to go to polls again in May 2021 for Assembly elections. 

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5. Tamil Nadu Government To Spend Rs 44 Crore For Menstrual Hygiene Programme

Tamil Nadu government decided to spend Rs 44.15 Crore to provide free sanitary napkins under Menstrual Hygiene Programme. Health and Family Welfare Department of state has issued a government order in this regards which directs authorities to implement Menstrual Hygiene Programme in Tamil Nadu for adolescent girls in urban and rural areas, postnatal mors delivered in government health institutions and for Women prisoners.

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