India offers support for Africa to fight Omicron variant:: Parliament passes Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021

The heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant is likely to spread internationally and poses a very high risk of infection surges that could have “severe consequences” in some places, the World Health Organization (WHO) said 

New Delhi:

(New Delhi especially under Narendra Modi government has maintained a very cordial relationship with African nations always standing by their side and also deepening the bond)  

India has, so far, supplied more than 25 million doses of Made-in-India vaccines to 41 countries in Africa, including nearly one million doses as grant to 16 countries and more than 16 million doses under the COVAX facility to 33 countries.

The MEA statement came on Monday in the wake of global concern being expressed now on 

the latest Corona variant Omicron that has hit many African countries.

"We have noted the emergence of a new variant of Covid-19, Omicron. We express our solidarity with 

the countries, particularly in Africa, who have so far been affected by the Omicron variant," the

MEA statement said.

It further said, the Government of India stands ready to support the countries affected in Africa in dealing 

with the Omicron variant, including supplies of 'Made-in-India' vaccines. 

"Supplies can be undertaken through COVAX or bilaterally. In this regard, the Government has 

cleared all orders placed so far by COVAX for supplies of COVISHIELD vaccines including to 

African countries like Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Guinea and Lesotho". 

The Government of India has also cleared supplies of COVAXIN to Botswana.

 Any new requirement projected either bilaterally or through COVAX will be considered expeditiously.

India also stands ready to supply essential life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment such as ventilators, as may be required. 

"Indian institutions would favourably consider cooperation in genomic surveillance and virus characterization 

related research work with their African counterparts," the statement said.

ends 

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New Delhi:

Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 amid ruckus by Opposition MPs.

Amid din, Leader of Congress Party in the House, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was heard demanding discussion on the Bill in the House.

Opposition parties are arguing that the reasons for repeal of three contentious farm laws should be explained and debated in Parliament. 

The first day of the much awaited Winter Session began on a stormy note with both the Houses seeing adjournment in the first hour.

After ruckus during Question Hour, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 1200 noon while Rajya Sabha too was adjourned

briefly.

As the Lok Sabha resumed business after 1200 hours, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh 

Tomar tabled the Farm Laws Repeal Bill 2021 amid sloganeering by the members in the opposition bench.

There was no let up in the situation. Therefore, immediately after the new Repeal Bill was passed, the Lower

House of Parliament was adjourned till 2 pm.

Meanwhile, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said while he welcomed the passage of the repeal Bill in Lok Sabha,

there was nothing to celebrate as "we lost 750 lives".

"This (Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 passed in Lok Sabha) is a tribute to all 750 farmers who lost their lives 

during the agitation. The protest will continue as there are other issues including MSP still pending,"

Tikait said in Kausambi in Uttar Pradesh.

ends