161 Omicron cases, 88% asymptomatic

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday told the RS that there were 161 Omicron Covid-19 variant cases in India as of today with 88 per cent asymptomatic and 13 per cent mild. Of all patients, 44 had been treated and discharged. TNS

RS clears Bill to ‘rectify’ NDPS Act

The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill to rectify errors in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act amid the walkout by the Opposition parties. In effect, it now stands passed by Parliament as it has already been cleared by the Lok Sabha. TNS

States can allow teaching of Bhagavad Gita

State governments can allow the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita to school students if they want, the government told the Lok Sabha on Monday. Replying to members’ questions in the Lower House, Union Minister for Education Annapurna Devi said state governments could also make provisions for the teaching of the Bhojpuri language in schools if they want. TNS

Govt refers 2 Bills to parliamentary panels

The government on Monday referred two Bills for scrutiny by parliamentary panels amid the Opposition’s allegations of inadequate consultations in the law-making process. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill and the Mediation Bill were referred to a Joint Committee and the Standing Committee on Law & Justice respectively. TNS

Centre collected Rs4.55L cr as taxes on fuel

The Centre collected over Rs4.55 lakh crore as taxes from petrol and diesel during the last fiscal year. Over the past five years, the government has collected nearly Rs 18 lakh crore as taxes from petrol and diesel, said the government in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. TNS

17 queries on LAC standoff declined: Tewari

Congress leader Manish Tewari on Monday red-flagged the mounting number of Lok Sabha questions regarding the LAC standoff with China that were disallowed citing national security. He tweeted a snapshot of 17 such questions posed to the Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs and External Affairs. TNS