Indian PM Narendra Modi announces relief assistance fund for citizens

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced creation of the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund with voluntary contributions from all.

The spread of coronavirus "has been alarming and is posing severe health and economic ramifications for our country," he said.

Modi said the relief fund with voluntary contributions will go a long way in creating a healthier India, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"People from all walks of life expressed their desire to donate to India's war against Covid-19," he said, adding that the fund has been constituted respecting that spirit.

Meanwhile, the southern coastal state of Kerala today reported its first death from coronavirus, a 69-year-old man who was being treated for the virus at a hospital.

Kerala recorded the highest number of confirmed patients – 165 -- followed closely by western state of Maharashtra -- 159.