Morning Filter: Further decision on physical campaigns today

1. PM to interact with DMs to take direct feedback about progress of government schemes Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with district magistrates (DMs) on Saturday via video-conferencing to take direct feedback about the progress and status of implementation of various government schemes and programmes, his office said. 2. EC to decide on Saturday whether ban on physical rallies should continue The Election Commission would meet on Saturday to decide whether the ban imposed by it on physical rallies and roadshows to prevent the spread of coronavirus should continue. Announcing dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur on January 8, the poll panel had announced a ban on physical rallies, road and bike shows, and similar campaigning events till January 15. 3. FRL's independent directors ask Amazon to confirm Rs. 3,500-cr infusion by Saturday Independent directors of Future Retail Ltd (FRL) have asked Amazon to confirm by Saturday that it will infuse Rs 3,500 crore into the cash-strapped retailer in order to repay FRL's lenders by January 29, 2022, according to sources. 4. BCCI and team owners to discuss IPL 2022 back-up venues on Saturday The BCCI and IPL team owners will discuss potential back-up venues for the upcoming edition of the league in a virtual meeting on Saturday. The mega auction venue, scheduled for Bengaluru on February 12 and 13, will also come up for discussion as the country deals with the third wave of COVID-19. 5. U19 WC: Devoid of options, COVID-hit India to take on Uganda on Saturday Rattled by a COVID-19 outbreak but through to the last-eight stage, India will have just 12 players to choose from in their final Under-19 World Cup group B clash against Uganda on Saturday as five of their six isolated squad members returned positive for COVID-19 in RT-PCR tests. 6. Top-4 return on Chennaiyin mind in ISL match against struggling NEUFC A clash against struggling NorthEast United FC will be a perfect opportunity for Chennaiyin FC to return to winning ways and push for a place in the top-four when they meet in the Indian Super League in Margao on Saturday. 7. Patna Pirates out to re-establish title credentials against Puneri Paltan Three-time champions Patna Pirates would look to re-establish their credentials as title contenders when they take on Puneri Paltan in a Pro Kabaddi League match, in Bengaluru on Saturday. Morning Filter will return tomorrow. Follow up on the day’s biggest stories and get concise analysis by The Hindu with the Evening Wrap newsletter. [logo] The Morning Filter 22 JANUARY 2022 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Morning Filter newsletter, your guide from The Hindu on the major news stories and events to follow today. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Here are the latest updates and the big news stories to follow today 1. PM to interact with DMs to take direct feedback about progress of government schemes [Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that development of religious or heritage places will give a boost to the economy of the areas they are located in. File image.] Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with district magistrates (DMs) on Saturday via video-conferencing to take direct feedback about the progress and status of implementation of various government schemes and programmes, his office said. 2. EC to decide on Saturday whether ban on physical rallies should continue The [Election Commission would meet on Saturday]( to decide whether the ban imposed by it on physical rallies and roadshows to prevent the spread of coronavirus should continue. Announcing dates for elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur on January 8, the poll panel had announced a ban on physical rallies, road and bike shows, and similar campaigning events till January 15. 3. FRL's independent directors ask Amazon to confirm Rs. 3,500-cr infusion by Saturday [India's Future Retail has asked a New Delhi court to declare arbitration proceedings with Amazon as illegal]  Independent directors of Future Retail Ltd (FRL) have asked Amazon to confirm by Saturday that it will infuse Rs 3,500 crore into the cash-strapped retailer in order to repay FRL's lenders by January 29, 2022, according to sources. 4. BCCI and team owners to discuss IPL 2022 back-up venues on Saturday The BCCI and IPL team owners will discuss potential back-up venues for the upcoming edition of the league in a virtual meeting on Saturday. The mega auction venue, scheduled for Bengaluru on February 12 and 13, will also come up for discussion as the country deals with the third wave of COVID-19. 5. U19 WC: Devoid of options, COVID-hit India to take on Uganda on Saturday [The India Under-19 players celebrate a wicket, India vs Ireland, ICC Under-19 World Cup, Trinidad, January 2022] Rattled by a COVID-19 outbreak but through to the last-eight stage, [India will have just 12 players to choose from]( in their final Under-19 World Cup group B clash against Uganda on Saturday as five of their six isolated squad members returned positive for COVID-19 in RT-PCR tests. 6. Top-4 return on Chennaiyin mind in ISL match against struggling NEUFC A clash against struggling NorthEast United FC will be a perfect opportunity for Chennaiyin FC to return to winning ways and push for a place in the top-four when they meet in the Indian Super League in Margao on Saturday. 7. Patna Pirates out to re-establish title credentials against Puneri Paltan Three-time champions Patna Pirates would look to re-establish their credentials as title contenders when they take on Puneri Paltan in a Pro Kabaddi League match, in Bengaluru on Saturday. [underlineimg] Morning Filter will return tomorrow. Follow up on the day’s biggest stories and get concise analysis by The Hindu with the Evening Wrap newsletter. Today's Top Picks [[The question of OBC reservation in local bodies] The question of OBC reservation in local bodies]( [[Grassroots competitions needed to take Indian football ahead: Antonio Cachaza] Grassroots competitions needed to take Indian football ahead: Antonio Cachaza]( [[Himachal, Haryana to revive Saraswati river] Himachal, Haryana to revive Saraswati river]( [[Thich Nhat Hanh, influential Zen Buddhist monk, dies at 95] Thich Nhat Hanh, influential Zen Buddhist monk, dies at 95]( Copyright @ 2021, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](