The Rs 230-crore reduction in the budgetary allocation to the environment ministry has drawn flak from environmentalists who say it may slow down or completely halt green initiatives. Besides the shrunk budget, they also feel that the Centre has not clarified how a separate amount of Rs 2,217 crore, set aside for tackling air pollution in 42 cities with minimum population of one million, will be utilised. The total budget allocated for the ministry this year is Rs 2,869.93 crore while last year it was Rs 3,100 crore. This implies that a number of environmental measures could be slowed down or halted, said Avinash Chanchal, a Climate Campaigner for the Greenpeace India.
Covid-19: States look for ways to immunise the reluctant ones
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State governments have come up with different strategies to tackle vaccine hesitancy. Apart from the usual appeals from state health ministers and administrative machinery that vaccines are safe, the states have identified Covid warriors who would be inoculated to dispel any fears.
Agencies
Gujarat health secretary Jayanti Ravi told that the state government has decided to be proactive in involving doctors in the drive.
NEW DELHI: Battling with low immunisation figures in several states, the health ministry has advised states to run awareness programmes to ensure healthcare workers come forward and take the Covid vaccine.
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Show Captions p The first consignment of Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech is being carried via flight from Hyderabad to Delhi on Wednesday, officials informed. /p p The official said, The first consignment of vaccine from Bharat Biotech is being carried by Air India on AI 559 from Hyderabad to Delhi on Wednesday at 0640 hours. (ANI) /p p Covishield and Covaxin, the two Covid-19 vaccines which have received Emergency Use Authorisation (EAU) have been tested on thousands of people and side-effects are negligible, Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, said. /p p The first phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive is scheduled to start from January 16. /p