Breaking News: September 20, 2020 | As it happened

All government-run and private schools across Jammu region will reopen partially for higher classes on Monday after six months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, a senior government official said, assuring that all necessary arrangements are in place for the safety of students.

Hong Kong has banned Air India flights from Sunday to October 3 after a few passengers on its flight on Friday tested positive for COVID-19 post arrival, a senior government official said on Sunday. Air India passenger flights were barred from landing in Hong Kong between August 18 and August 31 after 14 passengers on its Delhi-Hong Kong flight of August 14 tested positive for COVID-19 post arrival.

Passengers from India can arrive in Hong Kong only if they have a COVID-19 negative certificate from a test done within 72 hours prior to the journey, according to rules issued by the Hong Kong government in July.

Moreover, all international passengers are required to undergo a post-flight COVID-19 test at the Hong Kong airport.

I am also a farmer and I want to assure farmers of the country that MSP (minimum support price) and APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) systems are not going to end, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Agriculture Bills.

Notice has been given to the Chairman. A decision will be taken by him. I don't want to say anything politically. This is the prerogative of the Chairman," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on no-confidence motion by the Opposition against Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.

There are some political reasons behind every such decision. I don't want to comment on why did she take this decision: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on the resignation of Harsimrat Kaur Badal from Union Cabinet.

What happened in Rajya Sabha today was saddening, unfortunate and shameful. It is the responsibility of the ruling side to enable discussions in the House but it is also the duty of the Opposition to maintain decorum, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on ruckus over farm bills on Sunday. 

"As far as I know, this has never happened in the history of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. This happening in Rajya Sabha is an even bigger matter. Attempts are being made to mislead the farmers on the basis of rumours. What happened is against the decorum of House," he further said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with Union Cabinet ministers Prakash Jawdekar, Prahlad Joshi, Piyush Goyal, Thawar Chand Gehlot, and Mukhtar Abbas Naqwi will hold a press conference shortly regarding farm-related bills passed in Rajya Sabha earlier on Sunday.

Heavy rains continued to lash Kerala with eight districts put under red alert on Sunday and the IMD sounding Orange alert in ten districts for Monday. The weatherman said that a low pressure area had formed over North East Bay of Bengal and Neighbourhood on Sunday morning.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the IMD has issued Orange alert on Monday for the districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod.

Andhra Pradesh reported 7,738 new coronavirus cases, 10,608 recoveries and 57 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking total cases to 6,25,514 including 5,41,319 recoveries, 5,359 deaths and 78,836 active cases. 

The one-day Monsoon Session of Uttarakhand State Assembly to be held on 23rd September. No Question Hour to take place.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the Indokh barrage project today. "I live to serve the people of this state. My government is about dedicating itself to the cause of the people. This water now will help in the effective irrigation of farms," he says.

Kerala reported 4,696 fresh COVID-19 cases today, taking the total number of active cases till date to 39,415. The number of recovered cases so far is 95,702. 

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said there is no mention of ending minimum support price (MSP) system in the Agriculture Bills passed by Parliament. I will quit my post the day any danger to the MSP system is posed. 

Uttar Pradesh reported 5,809 new COVID-19 cases, 6,584 discharges and 94 deaths, taking active cases to 65,954, discharges to 2,83,274 and death toll to 5,047. 

Today in the Rajya Sabha two agriculture reform bills have been passed. Farmers were forced to sell their produce in Mandis at unfair prices earlier. Now they can sell to anyone at their own decided prices. MSPs will stay. It's a historic day today," ANI quoted Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar as saying. 

A 5 per cent customs duty will be reimposed on the import of open cell for TVs from October 1 following the end of one year exemption period, a finance ministry source said.

The Centre has, through a number of letters, asked states and Union Territories to ensure swift processing of insurance claims under the 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package' to frontline health workers fighting COVID-19, Rajya Sabha was informed on Sunday. The 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19' was announced on March 30.

This central scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh to healthcare providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and therefore at risk of being infected. It also includes accidental loss of life on account of contracting COVID-19.

Minister of State for Health Ashwini Choubey said in a written reply that regular video conferences have been held with states along with the representatives of the New India Assurance Co. Ltd to coordinate and expedite the submission of claims so that the benefit reaches the bereaved family in time.

Ministry of Women and Child Development & Ministry of AYUSH sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for joint management of malnutrition. Women & Child Development Minister Smriti Irani also present.

In the last three weeks, the Indian Army has occupied six new major hill features on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during the ongoing conflict with the Chinese Army in the Eastern Ladakh sector.

Opposition murdered democracy. We condemn this. This is an insult to people's mandate. Congress & TMC think they are the 'Badshahs'. The ruling party and the government will not budge to this: Union Parliamentary Affairs Min Pralhad Joshi on ruckus by Opposition in Rajya Sabha

Farmers protest new agriculture law by blocking major road in Sirsa. "The govt should make laws making it punishable for private buyers to procure farm produces below MSPs. This will guarantee our sales," says a protester.

They have broken every rule of the Parliament. It was a historic day, in the worst sense of the word. They cut RSTV feed so the country couldn't see. They censored RSTV: TMC MP Derek O'Brien after uproar in the House on farm bills

BJP president JP Nadda has said the Opposition's conduct in Rajya Sabha during the passage of bills was highly irresponsible and attack on democracy.

Also Read: Rajya Sabha passes crucial farm bills amidst massive protest

Congress, other opposition parties sit in protest inside Rajya Sabha after farm bills passed amid din and House adjourned

Rajya Sabha has passed controversial Farm Bills amid massive uproar. The bills were tabled in Rajya Sabha by Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. 

Meanwhile, reports say that the Haryana-Punjab border has been sealed considering the protests from several farmer unions. 

Odisha on Sunday registered its highest single-day spike of 4,330 COVID-19 cases, which pushed the state's infection count to 1,79,880, a health department official said. The death toll rose to 701 with 10 more people succumbing to the infection, he said.

• Derek O'Brien tears papers in Rajya Sabha amid massive uproar during Farm Bills debate
• TMC MP Derek O'Brien entered the well and showed the House rule book to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, during the discussion in the House on Farm Bills.

PM should explain why there's a hurry to pass the bills amid pandemic. He should explain what would farm bills do for farming community in short & long term & how it will help in achieving govt's goal of doubling farmers' income: Former PM & JD(S) MP HD Devegowda in Rajya Sabha. 

New Delhi: BJP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia and SP MP Jaya Bachchan arrive to attend the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, at Parliament House in New Delhi, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore)  

VIDEO GRAB: Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former PM HD Deve Gowda during his oath-taking as Rajya Sabha MP at the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (RSTV/PTI Photo)

  New Delhi: BJP MP Subramanian Swamy arrives to attend the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, at Parliament House in New Delhi, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore)

While farmers in Haryana have started blocking several roads in Haryana, it is being learnt that protestors would not disrupt traffic on Delhi-Ambala-Chandigarh National Highway. The Bhartiya Kisan Union, it is learnt has said that it will not block the Delhi-Ambala-Chandigarh highway. 

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has issued a whip to its Rajya Sabha members directing them to remain present in the House on Sunday during the debate over the contentious farm bills.

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday introduced in Rajya Sabha the Farmer's Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.

The bills are facing staunch opposition from farmer bodies as well as from within the ruling coalition. 

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the food processing minister from the Shiromani Akali Dal party, resigned from the government last week.

PTI

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurates Police Premier League T-20 cricket tournament in Srinagar. J&K DGP Dilbag Singh (pic 4) says, "16 teams from Srinagar are participating in it. We want youths and children to have some relaxed and healthy moments."

You are writing an obituary of farmers: Manoj Jha in Rajya Sabha on Farm Bills 

RJD MP Manoj Jha, in a fierce debate in Rajya Sabha, called the new Farm Bills introduced by the government, as "obituary for farmers". "You are writing an obituary for farmers with these farm bills," Jha said in his speech in the Upper House. 

I salute power of farmers that made Akali Dal take U-turn & stand in their support. They were advocating ordinances but today they've realised seriousness of matter. Their MPs should oppose the Bills in Rajya Sabha & put united front: Punjab Food & Civil Supplies Minister BB Ashu

Uproar by Congress MPs in Rajya Sabha after YSRCP MP VV  Reddy says, "There is no reason for Congress to oppose these Bills. Congress is a party of middlemen 'dalals'." Congress MP Anand Sharma demands apology from him. Dr L Hanumanthaiah says, "nothing will go on record".

Farm bills in Rajya Sabha: Farmers who contribute at least 20% to the total GDP of the country, will be made slaves by these Bill. It will kill the farmers and make them a commodity: DMK MP TKS Elangovan, in Rajya Sabha, on agriculture Bills

India's COVID-19 case tally crosses 54-lakh mark with a spike of 92,605 new cases & 1,133 deaths in last 24 hours. The total case tally stands at 54,00,620 including 10,10,824 active cases, 43,03,044 cured/discharged/migrated & 86,752 deaths: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Narendra Singh Tomar has introduced the contentious farm bills in Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha will debate the contentious farm bills with the Congress and many opposition parties trying to put a united front to oppose these proposed legislations terming them as anti-farmer and pro-corporate, even as the ruling BJP is also reaching out to several regional outfits for support.

Parliament Monsoon Session: Bills to be introduced today in Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha (September 20) 

LOK SABHA: Bills to be introduced

-The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020.

Bills for consideration and passing (Lok Sabha)

• The National Forensic Sciences University Bill, 2020
• The Rashtriya Raksha University Bill, 2020
• The Bilateral Netting of Qualified Financial Contracts Bill, 2020.
• The Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

RAJYA SABHA:  Bills for consideration and passing

• The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion
• and Facilitation) Bill, 2020
• The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020.
• The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
• The Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
• The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill

What are the 3 new farm Bills: Benefits for farmers, all you need to know

 Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal-Secular leader HD Deve Gowda takes oath as Rajya Sabha member. 

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Saroj Pandey has given Zero-Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over the demand to implement Ayushman Bharat Yojna in the state of Chhattisgarh

Yog guru Swami Ramdev reveals yoga asanas for heart problems, obesity and high blood pressure | WATCH NOW

In view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Alwar, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Udaipur, Sikar, Pali and Nagaur districts. Ban on social or religious functions to continue till October 31: Rajasthan Govt

Hello and welcome to today's live coverage of coronavirus news in India and across the world, with me, Sushmita Panda and my colleagues  Himanshu Shekhar, Shashwat  Bhandari, Vani Mehrotra, Priya Jaiswal, and Rashi Hardaha. You can get in touch with us directly on Twitter @sushmitapanda, @himaanshus, @ShashBhandari​ @vani_mehrotra​ @priyajais, and  @rashihardaha for news, tips, photos, questions and comments. Stay tuned to Indiatvnews.com (@indiatvnews) for all the latest updates on what's happening around the world. 

Here's a quick overview: 

The total number of global cases has surpassed 30.9 million, including more than 961,000 fatalities. More than 22,582,000 patients are reported to have recovered.

Total positive cases country-wise:

• USA 6,828,301
• India 5,115,893
• Brazil 4,421,686
• Russia 1,079,519
• Peru 744,400