PM Modi likely to interact with CMs on Apr 27, cases cross 20,000 mark

Coronavirus (Covid-19) India Tracker LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to interact with all Chief Ministers via video conference on April 27 to take stock of the Covid-19 situation in the country, according to sources. As per the latest updates from the Health Ministry, the number of cases has crossed the 20,000 mark while the death toll increased to 652.

Union minister Prakash Javadekar Wednesday said the Centre will not tolerate attacks on the healthcare workers in the country and has brought an ordinance to make it a punishable offence. Javadekar said the government will amend the Epidemics Diseases Act, 1897 to make the attacks on healthcare workers a cognisable and non-bailable offence, under which a violator may be awarded with a jail term of three months to five years with a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.

Earlier in the day, Home Minister Amit Shah interacted with doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) via video-conference, and assured them of their safety. The IMA, which had planned a candle-light vigil at 9 pm today to urge the government to enact a law against healthcare violence, withdrew the protest after Shah said the government was with them.

(Inputs and image from theindianexpress.com)