India observing third day of lockdown as COVID 19-hit patients number touches 724

The Ministry said 17 people died due to COVID 19 infection in the country so far.

Meanwhile, India is following the third day of its national lockdown, a move seen as a crucial measure taken by the Centre to fight against the virus.

With people largely responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for staying at home, the bustling Indian streets were mostly empty except movement of essential services. 

People wearing masks in neighbourhoods across Indian cities and towns ventured out in small numbers to buy food items and other essentials from the shops which were open amid a police crackdown on violators of the lockdown restrictions.

Many complained of police high-handedness and baton-charging with social media abuzz with viral videos of either cops beating up violators or dismantling vegetable carts.

Many heeding to the lockdown rules, also posted and shared videos of "irresponsible citizens" violating the diktats to endanger everyone's lives.
 

Meanwhile, providing relief to the poor section, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday came out with a mega package of Rs. 1,70,000 crore under "Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Scheme" to support health workers, farmers, women and other marginalised sectors as the country is in lockdown mode to combat COVID-19.

Each health worker will get insurance of Rs. 50 lakh for the next three months.

Announcing that all poor people will get five kg of wheat or rice and one kg of dal for free for the next three months, Sitharaman said, "We have taken the steps so that no one remains hungry."

Sitharaman said eight lakh farmers will get Rs. 2,000 to their bank accounts.

She has also announced a wage increase from Rs. 182 to Rs. 202 for all MNREGA workers.

One-time ex-gratia of additional Rs. 1000 will be given to poor senior citizens who are widowed and disabled.