May 2021 National Affairs

Sakshi Education

Centre provides more than 21.80 crore Covid vaccine doses to States, UTs: Health Ministry
The Centre has so far provided more than 21 crore 80 lakh Covid vaccine doses to the States and Union Territories.

The doses have been provided both through the free of cost category and through direct state procurement category. Of the total doses provided to the States, the total consumption, including wastages, is over 19 crore 90 lakh doses.

It added that 40 thousand 650 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the States and UT’s within the next 3 days.

Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of Government of India for containment and management of the pandemic, along with Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour.
Railways delivers more than 15, 284 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen to various states so far
Indian Railways has so far delivered more than 15 thousand 284 Metric Tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) in more than 936 tankers to various states.

234 Oxygen Express have completed their journey so far and brought relief to various States. Oxygen relief by Oxygen Express reached out to 14 states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Telangana, Punjab, Kerala, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The first Oxygen Express to Assam with 80 Metric Tonnes of LMO reached Assam yesterday.

Oxygen Express has been delivering more than 800 Metric Tonnes of LMO to the nation every day now.

Railways has mapped different routes with Oxygen supply locations and keeps itself ready with any emerging need of the States.
NCPCR seeks data from states, UTs on 20 devices & health services related to treatment of children
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, NCPCR has sought data from every state and UT on 20 devices and health services including ICU related to treatment of children.

This has been done in view of possibility of children being affected extensively in the third wave of COVID 19.
Govt condemns false reporting on Cairn legal dispute
The Government has strongly condemned the false reporting in certain media by some vested interests claiming that the Government of India has purportedly asked state-owned banks to withdraw funds from foreign currency accounts abroad in anticipation of the potential seizure of such accounts with regard to the Cairn legal dispute.

Condemning all such source based reports as false, Finance Ministry said, these are totally incorrect and not based on facts.

Certain parties with vested interest appear to have orchestrated such misleading reporting, which often relies upon unnamed sources and presents a lopsided picture of factual and legal developments in the case.

It said, Government of India is vigorously defending its case in this legal dispute.

It is a fact that the Government has filed an application on 22nd March this year to set aside the highly flawed December 2020 international arbitral award in The Hague Court of Appeal.
SC's E-Committee releases manual for its free e-Courts Services Mobile App
Supreme Court's E-Committee has released manual for its free e-Courts Services Mobile App in 14 languages.

The app is available in English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarathi, Kannada, Khasi, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu.

Law and Justice Ministry said, the app aimed to benefit Litigants, Citizens, Lawyers, Law firms, Police, Government Agencies and other institutional litigants.

The mobile app and its manuals in English and other regional languages can be downloaded free of cost from the official website of the e-Committee, Supreme Court of India.

The manuals explain all features of app with screenshots for easy understanding for the common man.
Indian Army to set up a 100 bed Covid Care Centre in Bengaluru
Acute shortage of hospital beds for the Covid 19 positive patients has made it essential to create additional beds to cater to the growing list of patients.

The Indian Army has come forward to set up a 100 bed Covid Care Centre in Bengaluru.

To augment the medical infrastructure of state administration, the Indian Army has set up the new Covid Care Centre in Ulsoor in the city in collaboration with the civil administration.
Operation Samudra Setu II: INS Jalashwa arrives Visakhapatnam with COVID Relief Consignment from Brunei & Singapore
As part of ongoing COVID Relief Operation 'Samudra Setu II’ launched by the Indian Navy, INS Jalawsha embarked with 18 Cryogenic Oxygen Tanks and other critical COVID Medical Stores including 3650 Oxygen Cylinders and 39 Ventilators from Brunei and Singapore, arrived.

The COVID relief materials including Oxygen Containers and Ventilators were facilitated by the Indian Missions and the consignment are being handed over to Govt agencies in various States and NGOs.
First consignment of GI certified Shahi Litchi from Bihar exported to the U.K.
In a major boost to export of GI certified products, season’s first consignment of Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to United Kingdom by air route.

The phyto-sanitary certification for exports of Shahi Litchiwas issued from newly established certification facility at Patna. The fruit is being exported by Cira Enterprises and sourced from farmers in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The Litchi is being imported by H & J Veg, London.

Shahi litchi was the fourth agricultural products to get GI certification from Bihar in 2018, afterJardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan. GI registration for Shahi Litchi is held with the Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers Association of Bihar.

India is the second largest producer of litchi (Litchi chin) in the world, after China. The translucent, flavoured aril or edible flesh of the litchi is popular as a table fruit in India, while in China and Japan it is preferred in dried or canned form. Bihar tops in terms of production of litchi.
NITI Aayog to partner with TRIFED to implement Van Dhan Yojana in districts identified as aspirational
TRIFED will now be partnering with NITI Aayog to implement the Van Dhan Yojana in the districts that have been identified as aspirational by NITI Aayog.

It has been decided that a dedicated team from TRIFED along with the NITI Aayog team will work out the follow-up-plan for the implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana in each of the 39 Tribal Aspirational Districts.

The decision was taken based on the recent discussions between Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog and Pravir Krishna, Managing Director, TRIFED.
Government to give assistance of Rs.1500 to each Transgender person in view of Covid pandemic
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment being the nodal ministry for Transgender Welfare has decided to provide a subsistence allowance of Rs.1500 to each Transgender person as immediate support to meet their basic requirements.

This financial assistance will help the Transgender community to meet their day-to-day needs. NGOs and Community-based Organisations (CBOs) working for Transgender Persons have been asked to spread awareness about this step.
RDIF and Panacea Biotec announce launch of production of Sputnik V in India
The Russian Direct Investment Fund, RDIF and Indian Biotechnology company Panacea Biotec have announced the launch of production of the Russian COVID vaccine Sputnik V in India.

This move will boost the production of vaccines and help in facilitating the supply of Sputnik-V. In collaboration with the RDIF, Panacea Biotec will produce 100 million doses of Sputnik V per year.

Sputnik V has been granted the emergency use authorization by the Drugs Controller General of India. The first dose of Sputnik V was administered in India on 14th May of this month.
India attracts highest ever total FDI inflow of USD 81.72 billion during last financial year
India has attracted the highest ever total foreign direct investment, FDI inflow of USD 81.72 billion during the last financial year.

It is 10 per cent higher as compared to 2019-20. FDI equity inflow also grew by 19 per cent in last financial year compared to 2019-20.

In terms of top investor countries, Singapore is at the apex with 29 per cent, followed by the U.S.A 23 per cent and Mauritius 9%.
Rs. 1,605 Crore Central Grant Released to North Eastern States Under Jal Jeevan Mission
With the focus on faster development of North Eastern (NE) States, Government of India released Rs. 1,605 Crore to 8 North Eastern States for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission to provide tap water supply to rural homes in the financial year 2021-22.

This is the first tranche of the four to be released in this financial year.

This kind of huge funding for making provision of piped drinking water supply in rural homes clearly indicates the priority of the Union Government in improving the lives of people living in rural areas.

During financial year 2021-22, Rs. 9,262 Crore has been allocated as Central grant for NE States under Jal Jeevan Mission. The enhanced allocation as well as release of funds at this challenging time to provide tap water connections to rural homes in NE States, will boost the economy of the region.

Out of the Central fund allocated under Jal Jeevan Mission, 93% of the fund is to be utilized on developing water supply infrastructure, 5% on support activities and 2% on water quality monitoring & surveillance activities.

The Central funds are released by Government of India based on the output in terms of tap water connections to be provided in the States/ UTs and the utilization of available Central and matching State share.
Ministry of Power decides to set up a National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants
In order to address the issue of air pollution due to farm stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation, Ministry of Power has decided to set up a National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants. This would further support the energy transition in the country and our targets to move towards cleaner energy sources.

The "National Mission on use of biomass in thermal power plants" will have the following objectives;

To increase the level of co-firing from present 5% to higher levels to have a larger share of carbon neutral power generation from the thermal power plants.

To take up R&D activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.

To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue and its transport upto to the power plants.

To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.
Sports Ministry gives go-ahead to open up 143 Khelo India Centres across 7 States in India
The Sports Ministry has dedicated a total of 143 Khelo India Centres across 7 States with a total budget estimate of Rs 14.30 Crores. These centres will be entrusted with one sports discipline each.

The States include Maharashtra, Mizoram, Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

The Khelo India Centres have been launched by the Sports Ministry in partnership with the State Governments to ensure the availability of grassroot-level sports infrastructure across the country.

The objective is to make India one among the top 10 countries in the 2028 Olympics.

The financial assistance will be used for remuneration of the past champion athletes as coach, support staff, purchase of equipments, sports kits, consumables, participation in competition and events.
Ayush Minister to launch the repository portal &AyushSanjivani App
The Ayush Clinical Repository (ACCR) portal (https://accr.ayush.gov.in/) will serve as a platform to support both Ayush practitioners and general public.

This portal aims to aggregate information about clinical outcomes achieved by Ayush practitioners on a large scale. It will facilitate not just dissemination of information but also further analysis and research. It is expected to document the strengths of Ayush systems for treatment of various disease conditions.

The portal will not only benefit the practitioner community and the public but will also help widen the solid scientific base of all streams of Ayush. One notable feature of the ACCR portal is the dedicated section for reporting and publishing details of Covid 19 cases treated through Ayush Systems.
Indian Navy Provides 'Oxygen on Wheels' to Palasa COVID Care Centre
The Indian Navy provided on 'Oxygen on Wheels' plant to Palasa COVID Care Centre on 25 May 21. The 'Oxygen on Wheels' designed by Naval Dockyard, was formally inaugurated at the Palasa, Covid Care Centre

The 'Oxygen on Wheels' has been connected up with the Oxygen pipeline in the Covid Health Care Centre at Palasa by a team of specialists from Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam and it provides oxygen round the clock for up to 12 patients admitted in the hospital. The team has also trained hospital staff in the operation of the plant.

‘Oxygen on Wheels’ is a unique initiative launched by the Naval Dockyard wherein a PSA Oxygen Plant was integrated on a mobile platform to serve remote hospitals and was formally launched at Visakhapatnam by Vice Adm AB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC on 20 May 21.
NHAI takes steps to ensure waiting time should not be more than 10 seconds per vehicle at toll plazas
In order to ensure smooth and quick passage of vehicles at the toll plazas, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued guidelines to ensure service time of not more than 10 seconds per vehicle even during peak hours at the toll plazas on the National Highways.

The new guidelines will also ensure seamless flow of traffic at the toll plazas by not allowing vehicles to queue up more than 100 metres.

Although at most of the toll plazas, there is no waiting time after mandatory 100% Fastag, even then if there is queue of waiting vehicles of more than 100 metres due to some reason, the vehicles will be allowed to pass without paying toll till the queue comes within 100 metres from the toll booth.

For this purpose, a yellow line at a distance of 100 metres from toll booth will be marked in each toll lane. This is to inculcate further sense of accountability in toll plaza operators.

Since NHAI has successfully transitioned to 100% cashless tolling from middle of February 2021, the overall FASTag penetration at NHAI Toll Plazas has reached 96% and stands at 99% at many toll plazas. Keeping in view the growing Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) penetration in the country, it has been emphasized to have a new design and construct the upcoming toll plazas as per traffic projections for next 10 years to have an efficient toll collection system.

As social distancing has become the new normal, more and more commuters are opting to use FASTag as it removes the chances of any direct contact between the drivers and toll operators. The constant growth and adoption of FASTag by the highway users is encouraging and has helped bringing more efficiency in toll operations.
INS Shardul Arrives at Kochi with Liquid Medical Oxygen
As part of Operation Samudra Setu II, INS Shardul, the Indian Navy ship of the Southern Naval Command entered Kochi on 27 May 21 to disembark four ISO containers carrying 80 MT of liquid medical Oxygen.

Operation Samudra Setu-II was launched by the Indian Navy for shipment of medical Oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment from various countries in support of the nation’s fight against Covid-19.

The deployment of frontline warships including destroyers, frigates, tankers and amphibious ships of the Indian Navy for Operation Samudra Setu-II forms a significant part of the multiple lines of efforts, by the GoI and the Indian Navy to supplement the Oxygen requirement in the country.
SeHAT OPD portal to provide tele-medicine services to Armed Forces personnel and veterans
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched ‘Services e-Health Assistance & Tele-consultation (SeHAT) OPD portal through video conferencing on May 27, 2021. The portal provides tele-medicine services to the serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families.

The Raksha Mantri described SeHAT OPD portal as a great example of innovation, especially at a time when the nation is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank conferred ‘International Invincible Gold Medal’ of this year

Dr RP Nishank International Invincible Gold Medal of this year has been conferred on Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Maharshi Organisation's worldwide president Dr Tony Nader, said, Dr. Nishank has been recognised for his extraordinary commitment and outstanding service to humanity through his writings, social and illustrious public life.

The decision was made after due deliberations by a high-powered committee duly constituted under the leadership of Dr Tony Nader.
DRDO develops an Oxycare system to regulate oxygen in patients body
The Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO has developed an Oxycare system to regulate oxygen being administered to the patients based on the sensed values of oxygen saturation in the body.

The intelligent configuration of this Oxycare system provides automatic regulation of oxygen through a Low Pressure Regulator and Electronic Control System.

The Oxycare system developed by DRDO optimises consumption of oxygen based on oxygen saturation in the body.

It reduces the workload of hospital staff eliminating the need of routine measurement and manual adjustment of oxygen flow. It is integrated with Non-Rebreather Masks saving oxygen by 30 to 40 per cent.

The Oxycare system with audio warning for various failure scenarios can be used at homes, Quarantine Centres, COVID Care Centres and hospitals.

DRDO has transferred the technology to multiple industries in the country for production. PM-CARES Fund has accorded sanction for the procurement of 1,50,000 units of Oxycare System at a cost of over 322 crore rupees.
Railways set to have 86 Oxygen plants for its hospitals across country
The Railways will soon have 86 Oxygen plants for its hospitals across the country. Four oxygen plants are already functional, 52 have been sanctioned and 30 are under various stages of processing. There is also a Massive Capacity Enhancement in 86 Railway Hospitals across India.

In the last few days, the number of beds for COVID treatment have increased from 2539 to 6972. The number of invasive ventilators has also been increased from 62 to 296.

The ICU Beds in COVID hospitals have been increased from 273 to 573. Constant efforts are being made to add critical medical equipment like BIPAP machines, Oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders etc., in railway hospitals.

Oxygen Expresses are also being moved swiftly to different parts of the country and at the same time the movement of passenger and freight traffic is continuing.
WhatsApp's new privacy policy violates Indian IIT rules: Govt tells Delhi HC
Centre told Delhi High Court that it views the new privacy policy of WhatsApp as a violation of the Indian Information Technology (IIT) law and rules.
The government sought directions to the social media platform to make it clear that it is confirming to the same.

Government’s claim was made before a bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh during hearing of several pleas challenging WhatsApp’s new privacy policy, which according to the platform has come into effect from May 15 and has not been deferred.

WhatsApp told the court that while its new privacy policy has come into effect from May 15, it will not start deleting accounts of those users who have not accepted it and will try to encourage them to get on board.

The platform said there was no universal or uniform time limit after which it will start to accounts as each user will be dealt with it on case-to-case basis.
Tribal Affairs Ministry & Microsoft sign MoU for digital transformation of Tribal Schools
Tribal Affairs Ministry and Microsoft have signed an MoU for digital transformation of Tribal Schools such as Eklavya Model Residential Schools and Ashram Schools.

The collaboration seeks to skill educators and students in next-generation digital technologies including Artificial Intelligence.

Under the program, 250 Eklavya Model Residential school, EMRS have been adopted by Microsoft out of which 50 EMRS schools will be given intensive training. In the first phase, 500 master trainers will be trained.
Plasma therapy dropped from India's corona treatment protocol
Centre has dropped plasma therapy from Covid treatment protocol. Covid National Task Force yesterday released new clinical guidelines for management of mild, moderate and severe Covid cases.

Plasma therapy does not find a mention under the new guidelines. The decision came on the basis of recommendations of experts from AIIMS, ICMR-COVID-19 National Task Force, and Joint Monitoring Group of Union Health Ministry.
MyGov launches Innovation Challenge for creating Indian Language Learning App
MyGov, the citizen engagement platform of the Government has launched an Innovation Challenge for creating an Indian Language Learning App.

MyGov has launched the Innovation Challenge to create an app that will enable individuals to learn simple sentences of any Indian language and acquire working knowledge of a language.

The objective is to create an app that will promote regional language literacy, and create greater cultural understanding. The key parameters that will be looked into will include ease of use, simplicity, Graphical User Interface, gamification features, UI, UX and superior content, that makes it easy and fun to learn an Indian language.
V Muraleedharan reiterates India’s commitment to build more resilient & stronger Africa
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan reiterated India’s commitment to build a more resilient and stronger Africa. He was delivering India’s message at the Summit on Financing African Economies hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Minister highlighted India’s unique development partnership with Africa, characterised by innovation, local needs and transparency.

Presently, there are over 89 projects across 41 countries in Africa that are being implemented with Indian concessional credit. Mr Muraleedharan said numerous digital innovations have emerged from the India-Africa partnership.

Under the "Vaccine Maitri” initiative, India has supplied 24.7 million doses of Made in India COVID vaccines as grants, and commercial and COVAX supplies to 42 countries in Africa.
Govt brings changes in Customs Rules, IGCR 2017 to boost trade facilitation
The Government has brought changes in the existing Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty) Rules, IGCR 2017 to boost trade facilitation. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has introduced changes through the Customs (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate of Duty) Amendment Rules, 2021.

The IGCR, 2017 lay down the procedures and manner in which an importer can avail the benefit of a concessional Customs duty on import of goods required for domestic production of goods or providing services.
Centre ramps up production of antifungal medicine Amphotericin-B to cure Mucormycosis
Amid the growing demand of antifungal medicine Amphotericin-B to cure Mucormyscosis, the Central Government has ramped up the production of this drug to provide relief to the patients.

Mucormycosis known as Black Fungus affects mostly those people who are suffering from diabetes.
India following guidelines of international organizations regarding Buffalo meat: Govt
Government has said India is following guidelines of international organizations and adhering to quality, food safety and environment management systems regarding Buffalo meat.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, APEDA said Indian origin frozen boneless buffalo meat is safe.

It said all importing countries can safely procure Indian origin frozen boneless Buffalo meat.

The affordably priced buffalo meat is contributing towards food security and food price inflation control in the importing countries.

India is one of the world’s leading exporters of buffalo meat.

World class meat processing infrastructure is available in the country which is certified for Quality Management, Food Safety Management and Environment management systems.
INS Rajput to be decommissioned on 21st May 2021
A glorious era will come to an end with the decommissioning of the first destroyer of the Indian Navy - INS Rajput.
INS Rajput, the lead ship of the Kashin-class destroyers built by the erstwhile USSR was commissioned on 04 May 1980 and has rendered yeoman service to the Indian Navy for over 41 years.

INS Rajput will now be decommissioned at a solemn ceremony at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. Owing to the ongoing COVID pandemic, the ceremony will be a low-key event attended only by in-station officers and sailors with strict observance of COVID protocols.

INS Rajput was constructed in the 61 Communards Shipyard in Nikolaev (present-day Ukraine) under her original Russian name ‘Nadezhny’ meaning ‘Hope’. The keel of the ship was laid on 11 Sep 1976 and she was launched on 17 Sep 1977.

The ship was commissioned as INS Rajput on 04 May 1980 at Poti, Georgia by IK Gujral, the Ambassador of India to USSR with Capt Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani as her first Commanding Officer.

Over her four decades of glorious service to the nation, the ship has the distinction of serving in both Western and Eastern Fleets.
President expresses grief over demise of former Rajasthan CM Jagannath Pahadia
President Ram Nath Kovind has expressed grief over the demise of former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Jagannath Pahadia.

Mr. Pahadia was the voice of the underprivileged, popular public servant and skilled administrator.

The President said Mr. Pahadia also made a distinctive contribution in nation building as the Governor and Union Minister.
Govt announces immediate subsistence assistance to Transgender in view of pandemic situation
Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot has announced immediate subsistence assistance to Transgender in view of the current pandemic situation.

The Assistance will be made through DBT Mode.

The Transgender persons can submit the details to National Institute of Social Defence to avail the assistance.
NHRC issues notices to Centre, States and UTs over alleged denial of benefits during COVID-19 pandemic
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Centre, States and UTs over alleged denial of benefits during COVID-19 pandemic under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna and other schemes under the Integral Management of Public Distribution System due to non completion of biometric authentication.

Department of Food and Public Distribution and the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of all the States UTs to submit reports within four weeks in this regard.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches project of honey testing laboratory at IARI, Pusa, New Delhi
On the occasion of World Bee Day and in the context of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the project of setting up of a honey testing laboratory at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi.

The Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is fully dedicated to the village - poor - farmers.
Government asks States and UTs to make ‘Mucormycosis’ notifiable disease under Epidemic Act
The Union Ministry of Health on May 20, 2021, asked in a letter to the States and the Union Territories to make black fungus or Mucormycosis a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

The Union Ministry states that the treatment of this fungal infection requires a multidisciplinary approach which consists of ENT specialists, Eye Surgeons, Neurosurgeon, General Surgeon, Dental Maxillofacial Surgeon, etc. as well as the institution of Amphotericin B as an antifungal medicine.

The States and UTs are requested to make mucormycosis a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.
DRDO develops antibody detection-based kit 'DIPCOVAN'
India Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO has developed an antibody detection-based kit 'DIPCOVAN', the DIPAS-VDx COVID-19 IgG Antibody Microwell ELISA for sero-surveillance.

The kit will be very useful for understanding COVID-19 epidemiology and assessing an individual's previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

The kit can detect both spike as well as nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus with a high sensitivity of 97 per cent and specificity of 99 per cent.
Rate of Minimum Wages Revised for Central sphere Employees
The Central Government has notified and revised the rate of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) with a view to provide relief to different category of workers engaged in various scheduled employments in the central sphere.

The hike will be effective from 1st of April of the last month.

The VDA is revised on the basis of average Consumer Price Index for industrial workers (CPI-IW) a price index compiled by Labour Bureau.

The rates fixed for scheduled employment in Central sphere are applicable to the establishments under the authority of Central Government, Railway Administration, Mines, Oil fields, major ports or any corporation established by the Central Government. These rates are equally applicable to contract and casual employees and workers.
N S Tomar launches National Mobile Monitoring Software app
Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched National Mobile Monitoring Software, NMMS app and Area officer monitoring App through Video-Conferencing.

The NMMS App permits taking real time attendance of workers at Mahatma Gandhi NREGA worksites along with geotagged photograph, which will increase citizen oversight of the programme besides potentially enabling processing payments faster.

Area Officer Monitoring App facilitates them to record their findings online along with time stamped and go-coordinate tagged photograph for all the schemes of Department of Rural Development.

This will enable not only better record keeping of inspections by field and supervisory officials but also facilitate analysis of the findings for better programme implementation.
RBI to transfer Rs 99,122 cr as surplus to Central govt
Reserve Bank of India will transfer 99,122 crore rupees as surplus to the Central Government.

The meeting of Central Board of Directors of RBI under the Chairmanship of Governor Shaktikanta Das.

The Board approved the transfer of 99,122 crore rupees as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting period of nine months ended March 31, 2021 and decided to maintain the Contingency Risk Buffer at 5.50 per cent.

The Board in its meeting reviewed the current economic situation, global and domestic challenges and recent policy measures taken by the Reserve Bank to mitigate the adverse impact of the second wave of COVID-19 on the economy.
Indian Navy’s first destroyer INS Rajput decommissioned
Indian Navy’s first destroyer INS Rajput was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam yesterday after serving the nation for 41 glorious years.

The ship was decommissioned in a solemn and low key event due to the ongoing COVID Pandemic when the National Flag, Naval Ensign, and the Decommissioning Pennant were lowered at sunset time.

In recognition of the yeoman service rendered to the nation by the ship, a Special Postal Cover was released on the occasion.

INS Rajput was commissioned in May 1980, at Poti, Georgia, as the lead ship of the Rajput Class Destroyers of the Indian Navy.

During her service, the ship had the distinction of being part of both the Western and Eastern Fleets.
Ayush Ministry launches campaign to distribute its poly herbal ayurvedic drugs AYUSH 64
The Ayush Ministry has launched a massive nationwide campaign to distribute its poly herbal ayurvedic drugs AYUSH 64 and Kabasura Kudineer to the majority of out of hospital Covid-19 patients.

The efficacy of these drugs have been proved through robust multi-centre clinical trials.

AYUSH-64 has effectively shown to reduce the duration of hospitalisation in COVID patients.
DCGI approves anti-Covid drug developed by DRDO for emergency use
In a major breakthrough against the corona virus infection, a drug developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization, DRDO got the approval for emergency use by the Drugs Controller General of India, DCGI. Amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, this drug will prove to be beneficial for the patients who are suffering from COVID-19.

The drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose comes in powder form in sachet, which needs to be taken orally by dissolving it in water. It accumulates in the virus infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production. Its selective accumulation in virally infected cells makes this drug unique.
Centre delivering Global Aid to States and Union Territories through Whole of Government approach
The Centre has expeditiously delivered Global Aid to States and Union Territories through a 'Whole of Government' approach. The Ministry said, 8900 Oxygen Concentrators, 5043 Oxygen Cylinders, 18 Oxygen Generation Plants, 5698 ventilators and nearly 3.4 lakh Remdesivir vials have been delivered so far.

Besides, a dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as grants, aid and donations.
NITI Aayog and Mastercard release report titled ‘Connected Commerce: Creating a Roadmap for a Digitally Inclusive Bharat’
NITI Aayog and Mastercard has released a report titled ‘Connected Commerce: Creating a Roadmap for a Digitally Inclusive Bharat’. The report identifies challenges in accelerating digital financial inclusion in India and provides recommendations for making digital services accessible to its 1.3 billion citizens.

The Key recommendations in the report include strengthening the payment infrastructure to promote a level playing field for Non Banking Financial Companies-NBFCs and banks and digitizing registration and compliance processes and diversifying credit sources to enable growth opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

It also includes building information sharing systems and ensuring that online digital commerce platforms carry warnings to consumers to the risk of frauds.
Centre issues advisory on management of fungal infection among Corona patients
Centre has issued an advisory on the management fungal infection among Corona patients. It said, the fungal infection Mucormycosis mainly affects people who are on medication that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens.

The infection, being found in COVID-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged ICU stay, may turn fatal if uncared for, the Centre said.

The evidence-based advisory for screening, diagnosis and management of the disease was released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Union health ministry.

Warning symptoms include pain and redness around eyes and nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits and altered mental status, the advisory stated.
Nepal's opposition parties start preparations to form new government
Major opposition parties of the Nepali parliament have started preparations to form a new government after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli lost the vote of confidence at Lower House yesterday. Opposition leaders, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Upendra Yadav had called on President Bidya Devi Bhandari to initiate government formation procedure, soon after the commencement of a special session of parliament today.

All leaders from the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and a faction of the Janata Samajwadi party led by Yadav have urged President Bhandari to invoke Article 76 (2) of the Constitution.

Earlier, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives. He secured only 93 votes in the lower house of parliament during a special session convened on the directives of President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

The Prime Minister required at least 136 votes in the 275-member House to win the confidence motion.

Last week, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) withdrew support to the government, leaving it fall short of majority in the House.
Indian Navy Sets Up COVID Care Centre at Bheemunipatnam
As part of the Indian Navy’s efforts to assist the general population of Bheemunipatnam in dealing with the devastating second Covid wave, a 60-bed Covid Care Centre has been set up at INS Kalinga, Bheemunipatnam.

This facility was dedicated to the public by AP Tourism Minister and Bheemunipatnam MLA Shri Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao on 11 May 2021.

The Commanding Officer INS Kalinga stated that the COVID Care Centre has adequate facilities to provide treatment to COVID positive patients with moderate symptoms from Bheemunipatnam Mandal and adjoining areas. Administrative, logistic support food conservancy services and medical equipment is being provided by the Indian Navy.

The COVID Care Centre has medical facilities to provide care to patients with mild to moderate symptoms. 14 beds out of 60 have the provision for oxygen support through cylinders and oxygen concentrators. Suitable accommodation for the doctors and nursing staff in the proximity of the COVID Care Centre has also been provided to ensure round the clock services to patients.

In addition to the COVID Care Centre at Bheemunipatnam, additional facilities are being created in consultation with State Governments.
Puducherry becomes fourth ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State/ Union Territory
that every rural home in the UT has tap water connection.
With this, the Union Territory has become the fourth state/ UT to provide assured tap water supply to every rural home under Union Government’s flagship programme Jal Jeevan Mission after Goa, Telangana and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Jal Jeevan Mission is a flagship programme of the Union Government that aims to provide tap water connection to every rural household of the country by 2024.

The mission is being implemented across India to provide safe tap water in adequate quantity of prescribed quality to every rural home despite challenges faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goa had become the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ state across India to provide tap water connections to every rural household in October 2020.
Assam, first Indian state to have a digital flood reporting system
a digital real-time Flood Reporting and Information Management System (FIRMS) in the state of Assam.

With the launch of FRIMS, Assam becomes the first Indian state to have a real-time digital flood reporting system. With the river Brahmaputra flowing at the crux, Assam is prone to severe floods and erosion every year.

FRIMS, a digital real-time flood reporting system, has been developed jointly by Assam State Disaster Management Agency (ASDMA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Union Cabinet approves Production-Linked Incentive Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage
The Union Cabinet has approved the Production-Linked Incentive Scheme for the Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage with an outlay of 18,100 crore.

The move aims to achieve a manufacturing capacity of 50 GigaWatt Hour of ACC and five Giga Watt Hour of Niche ACC with an outlay of 18,100cr.

It will also give a big push to electric mobility, benefiting three-wheelers, four-wheelers and heavy vehicles.

India is currently importing Battery Storage Equipment worth 20,000cr rupees and the scheme will be helpful in making the country self-reliant (Atmanirbhar).
Centre approves transfer of ITBP land to Uttarakhand govt for development of Aerial Passenger Ropeway System
The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the transfer of land of Indo-Tibetan Border Police, ITBP to Government of Uttarakhand for development of Aerial Passenger Ropeway System between Dehradun and Mussoorie.

The proposed Ropeway is a mono-cable ropeway of 5580 meters length between Purkul Gaon, Dehradun and Library, Mussoorie being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 285 crore. It will have a carrying capacity of 1,000 persons per hour per direction. This will considerably reduce the traffic flow on the road route from Dehradun to Mussoorie.
NHRC issues advisory for upholding dignity and protecting rights of dead
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has issued advisory for upholding the dignity and protecting the rights of the dead.

The advisory has been issued in view of deaths during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic and challenges in management of dead bodies.

The Commission said that the guidelines issued by World Health Organization, National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India and various State Governments have emphasized on the maintenance of the COVID Protocol while upholding the dignity of the dead, including decent burial according to respective religious customs and practices.
Indian Navy deploys seven ships to bring oxygen & medical equipment from various countries
In support of the nation’s fight against COVID-19 and as part of operation 'Samudra Setu 2’, seven Indian Naval ships including Kolkata, Kochi, Talwar, Tabar, Trikand, Jalashwa and Airavat have been deployed for shipment of liquid medical oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment from various countries.

INS Kolkata and INS Talwar, mission deployed in Persian Gulf, were the first batch of ships that were immediately diverted for the task and entered port of Manama, Bahrain on 30 April this year. INS Talwar, with 40 Metric Tonne Liquid Medical Oxygen has commenced its journey back to India.

INS Kolkata has proceeded to Doha, Qatar for embarking medical supplies and will subsequently head to Kuwait for embarking Liquid Oxygen tanks.

In the first phase of Operation Samudra Setu which was launched last year by the Navy, around 4 thousand Indian citizens stranded in neighbouring countries, amidst COVID 19 outbreak, were successfully repatriated to India.
Centre enhances supply of anti-viral drug Remdesivir to states
Centre has enhanced supply of vital anti-viral drug Remdesivir to states.

After issuing the revised supply plan, and after in-depth review of enhanced availability of Remdesivir due to its ramped up production, the allocation plan has been revised.

The increased supply of the vital drug will help in fighting pandemic with deeper resolve.

Under the revised supply plan the allocation for states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh has been considerably enhanced.
India receives more foreign aid of medicines, medical equipment & oxygen
India has received more foreign aid of medicines, medical equipment and oxygen. Another flight from US arrived in India last night carrying over one thousand oxygen cylinders, regulators and other medical equipment.

The third shipment in a period of two days adding to the oxygen capacities in India. The Ministry of External Affairs thanked US for its support.

Hundred oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies sent by Government of Uzbekistan also reached India last night. The Indian community in Uzbekistan has donated another 51 oxygen concentrators.

The Ministry of External Affairs thanked Government of Uzbekistan and the Indian community there for it.

120 ventilators arrived from Germany. Sources said Germany will send one mobile oxygen production and filling plant next week. 13 German Technical Personnel have come to India for installation and training. Sources said that a consignment of Remdesivir and monoclonal is also set to come. German agency would organize a webinar on virus sequencing with Indian technical team.

In addition, procurement from private German companies is being made. 24 oxygen transport tanks were procured from German company Linde by Tata. Oil India Corporation Limited is procuring four oxygen tanks from German company Albatross.
Govt issues guidelines for Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry
Government has issued guidelines for ‘Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI).
The Government has approved a new Central Sector Scheme namely PLISFPI for implementation during 2021-22 to 2026-27 with an outlay of 10 thousand 900 crore rupees.

The aim is to support creation of global food manufacturing champions commensurate with India's natural resource endowment and support Indian brands of food products in the international markets.
CSIR- CCMB develops possibly 1st specific drug for COVID-19 treatment
The CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology has developed, possibly the first specific drug for COVID-19 treatment, which contain therapeutic antibodies.

The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has given its approval for human trials, Phase-I and Phase-II for the VINCOV-19 and expected to be tried next week in Delhi and Rajasthan.

Developed by the CCMB, University of Hyderabad and Vins Bioproduct ltd combine, the VINCOV-19 is a collection of antibodies from Horses after they got injected inactivated Corona virus.
Govt gives permissions to Telecos for conducting trials for use & applications of 5G technology
Government has given permissions to Telecom Service Providers for conducting trials for use and applications of 5G technology.

The applicant includes Bharti Airtel Limited, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, Vodafone Idea Limited and MTNL.

These Telecom Service Providers, TSP have tied up with original equipment manufacturers and technology providers which are Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung and C-DOT.

In addition, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited will also be conducting trials using its own indigenous technology.
RBI announces on-tap liquidity window of Rs 50,000 crore to ramp up COVID related health care infrastructure and services in country
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has said that the bank will continue to monitor the emerging situation and deploy all resources and instruments at its command in the service of the nation.

He said that the devastating speed with which the virus affects different regions of the country has to be matched by swift-footed and wide-ranging actions that are calibrated, sequenced and well-timed to reach out to various sections of society and business, right down to the smallest and the most vulnerable.
DRDO steps up its efforts for manufacturing of several medical equipment
The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has stepped up its efforts for manufacturing of several medical equipment like ventilators, micro Oxygen cylinders and Oxygen concentrators to provide relief to the COVID patients.

DRDO Chairman, Dr G Satheesh Reddy said, DRDO is continuously engaged in the production of one lakh 50 thousand mini Oxygen cylinders for the household needs. He said, these micro cylinders would be available by the next week at an affordable cost.
Labour and Employment Ministry notifies section 142 of Social Security Code, 2020
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified section 142 of the Social Security Code, 2020 which covers the applicability of Aadhaar.

The notification will enable the Ministry to collect Aadhaar details for the database of beneficiaries under various social security schemes.

The section under the Social Security Code has been notified only for collection of data of workers including migrant workers. He said, no benefit will be denied to workers for want of Aadhaar.
J&K: 1000 LPM Oxygen concentrator plant commissioned at GMC Rajouri
In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a new 1000 litres per minute (LPM) Oxygen concentrator plant was commissioned at Government Medical College, Rajouri.

The oxygen concentrator plant will help in augmenting bed capacity in the border district for successful treatment of COVID-19 patients. With the commissioning of the plant, the district has become self-sufficient in terms of medical oxygen needs.
Centre rolls out extended allocation plan for ensuring availability of anti-viral drug Remdesivir to states, Uts
The Centre has rolled out an extended allocation plan for ensuring availability of vital anti-viral drug Remdesivir to the States and the Union Territories.

The extended supply plan for distribution of Remdesivir till the 16th of this month.

The allocation plan will ensure smooth supply of the vital drug across the country and will help in alleviating any kind of difficulty faced by the COVID patients in its procurement.

The incessant supply of the vital drug will help in fighting the pandemic with deeper resolve. Under the extended supply plan the allocation for states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh among others has been considerably enhanced.