Amid continuous surge in Covid-19 cases, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said the state government is taking the best possible measures to contain the disease. She said, "We are ramping up the testing to identify every single case. Our system is already on high alert and we are taking the best possible measures to contain the disease. Kerala Government has already started talks regarding vaccine production in the state. We are trying to introduce fill-finish units. We have discussed the issue with the Union Health Minister and the Centre's response is very positive." Asked about her meeting with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Veena said, "It was a very positive meeting. We asked for 11.1 million more doses of Covid vaccines by September end. He agreed to it. We are thankful to the central government."
Tamil Nadu loses two LS seats
Tamil Nadu has faced "unfair" political representation in the Lok Sabha since 1962 after the state managed to successfully bring down its population, the Madras high court said recently. In its order, the court asked the centre to see if the Lok Sabha representation of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh - the other state that has seen a drop in representation in the parliament - be restored, or to see if the two can be compensated monetarily. The court pegged the monetary compensation to Tamil Nadu at £560 million. "Tamil Nadu and Andhra lost 2 Lok Sabha seats after they effectively controlled population. Why states which could not successfully implement population benefits with more representation in Parliament? Why not compensate these states with equal Rajya Sabha states," the HC bench asked. In 1962, Tamil Nadu had 41 Lok Sabha members. The state's Lok Sabha representation was reduced to 39 ahead of the 1967 general polls after it successfully controlled its population growth.