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The EPFO, through Ministry of Labour & Employment has annoucned an ex gratia payment of Rs. 10 lakhs to an employee of EPFO in case of death due to COVID 19 while being required to attend office for rendering services to the subscribers of EPF.

The Ministry of Shipping has directed all Major Ports to pay an ex-gratia compensation of Rsl 50 lakhs to dependent members/legal heirs of port Empioyees/Workers to cover the risk of life due to COVID 19 contamination while doing their duty
The payment to contract labour will also be made by the Ports.
The order will be in force till 30th September, 2020.

Ministry of Health issues advisory against spraying of disinfectant on people for COVID 19 Management

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued an advisory stating as follows:

Spraying of individuals or groups is NOT recommended under any circumstances.

Spraying an individual or group with chemical disinfectants is physically and psychologically harmful.

Even if a person is potentially exposed with the COVID-19 virus, spraying the external part of the body does not kill the virus that has entered the body. Also there is no scientific evidence to suggest that they are effective even in disinfecting the outer clothing/body in an effective manner.

Spraying of chlorine on individuals can lead to irritation of eyes and skin and potentially gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting. Inhalation of sodium hypochlorite can lead to irritation of mucous membranes to the nose, throat, respiratory tract and may also cause bronchospasm.

Additionally use of such measures may in fact lead to a false sense of disinfection & safety and actually hamper public observance to hand washing and social distancing measures.

Ministry of Health & Welfare issues guidelines to be followed on detection of suspect/confirmed COVID-19 case in a nonCOVID Health Facility

Indian Railways announces Incentives for Freight Traffic during COVID pandemic till 30th September 2020

No Haulage Charge for movement of empty containers and empty flat wagons from 24.03.2020 till 30.04.2020

More Customers can register their demands and also receive Railway Receipt for goods electronically instead of having to visit the goods sheds physically, making it more convenient and speedier for customers.

In case customer does not avail electronic Receipt, they can take delivery of goods without submitting Railway Invoice (Railway Receipt) at destination point by using alternate procedure.

Minimum number of BCNHL (covered wagons used for bagged consignments like foodgrains, agricultural produce etc) required to be loaded in order to avail train load rates has been reduced from 57 to 42 wagons now, with a view to support loading of essential items.

The distance related conditions governing mini rake, two point rake etc have been relaxed to encourage industry.

RBI announces second set of measures to preserve financial stability and help put money in the hands of the needy and disadvantaged.

States and UTs allowed to borrow more to manage COVID-19
Reverse Repo rate reduced from 4.0% to 3.75%
Relief provided to NBFCs and Real Estate Sector
India is projected to turn around and grow at 7.4% in 2021-22 – RBI Governor

The Government of India has reviewed the extant Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) policy for curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and amended para 3.1.1 of extant FDI policy as contained in Consolidated FDI Policy, 2017. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued Press Note No. 3(2020 Series) in this regard. Amended Para 3.1.1 of the Amended Policy reads as under:

3.1.1(a) A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited. However, an entity of a country, which shares land border with India or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the Government route

The amendment will take effect from the date of FEMA Notification

Ministry of Corporate Affairs issues clarifications on passing of ordinary and special resolutions due to COVID 19 in view of difficulties cited by stakeholders in complying with the instructions as notified vide circular dated 8th April 2020

The Supreme Court of India, while modifying its orders dated 8th April 2020 has issued the following clarifications:

(i) Free testing for COVID-19 shall be available to persons eligible under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana as already implemented by the Government of India, and 6 any other category of economically weaker sections of the society as notified by the Government for free testing for COVID-19, hereinafter.

(ii) The Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare may consider as to whether any other categories of the weaker sections of the society e.g. workers belonging to low income groups in the informal sectors, beneficiaries of Direct Benefit Transfer, etc. apart from those covered under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana are also eligible for the benefit of free testing and issue appropriate guidelines in the above regard also within a period of one week.

(iii) The private Labs can continue to charge the payment for testing of COVID-19 from persons who are able to make payment of testing fee as fixed by ICMR.

(iv) The Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare may issue necessary guidelines for reimbursement of cost of free testing of COVID-19 undertaken by private Labs and necessary mechanism to defray expenses and reimbursement to the private Labs.

The International Organisation of Employers and the International Trade Union Confederation have issued a joint statement stating that all efforts need to be undertaken to help workers and companies to go through the crisis, to keep workers in their jobs, to protect from unemployment and loss of income, and to alleviate financial devastation. IOE and ITUC stated that they are committed and prepared to support policy makers in their efforts.