General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - December 2016

Dec 2016

May 14, 2020

Registration Committee Recommends Banning Use of TB Drug on Crops

The Registration Committee (RC) under the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) has recommended the use of Tuberculosis (TB) drugs (antibiotics) like streptomycin and tetracycline to be banned completely with immediate effect on crops where other options were available for bacterial disease control. This recommendation was accepted.
The RC held its 414th meeting under the Chairmanship of S. K. Malhotra, Agriculture Commissioner & Chairman, Registration Committee through video conference, where a report was submitted by the sub-committee on production, sale and use of streptomycin sulphate (9%) and tetracycline hydrochloride (1 %).

KVIC Issues Revised Guidelines to Implement Vocal for Local initiative

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) issued revised guidelines to expedite the implementation of projects under the flagship programme Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) to hand-hold local production.
The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vocal for local" appeal.
KVIC instructed the agencies concerned to scrutinize the applications under PMEGP and forward it to banks for disbursal of funds within 26 days.

May 13, 2020

Department of Consumer Affairs Partners with Safejob and Seekify to Power Suraksha Store Initiative

The Department of Consumer Affairs partnered with two tech startups Safejob and Seekify to use the technology in the local Kirana store level to control the spread of COVID-19. The initiative of Suraksha Store is to provide safety and care about the health of the people during and after the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.
These protocols were designed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) which includes the social distancing and hygiene at all the retail shops.

May 12, 2020

ICMR, NCDC to Initiate a Population-Based Sero-Survey in Selected Districts

Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR and National Centre for Disease Control are going to initiate a population-based sero-survey in selected districts in collaboration with key stakeholders and State Health Departments.
The objective of this survey is to monitor the trend in prevalence of COVID-19 infection at district level.
In the survey, 200 samples per district per week and 800 samples per district per month shall be taken. From each district, 10 health facilities including six public and four private health facilities shall be selected. Population groups including outpatient attendees, pregnant women and health care workers will be covered under the survey.
The samples will be tested in a one-time pool of 25 and result of sample pooling is only for surveillance purposes. It should not be used for diagnosis of individual patients. In addition to throat, nasal swabs, blood samples should be collected for detecting IgG antibodies for ELISA testing.
In subsequent rounds, IgG ELISA based testing of serum samples will replace RT-PCR based testing for surveillance purpose.

MSME Ministry Launches CHAMPIONS Portal

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME Ministry has launched CHAMPIONS portal www.Champions.gov.in, a technology driven control room-cum-management information system. The initiative is aimed at assisting Indian MSMEs to march into big league as national and global champions.
The CHAMPIONS stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength. The portal is basically for making the smaller units big by solving their grievances, encouraging, supporting, helping and handholding.

May 10, 2020

UP Suspends Major Labour Laws till 1000 Days to Attract Investment

The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended most of its labour laws for three years to attract investment and help both existing and new industrial units.
The move was undertaken, wherein it was decided to freeze major laws in favour of the industry for 1000 days to make Uttar Pradesh a favourable destination for investors.

Govt Calls for Farmers' Movement on Integrated Soil Nutrient Management

The Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, while reviewing the progress of the Soil Health Programme, directed to run the mission mode awareness campaign to increase the use of organic and biofertilizers and to reduce the chemical fertilizers based on the recommendations of Soil Health Card.
During the programme, the Union minister also called for making the integrated soil nutrient management a farmer's movement.
Deterioration of soil physical, chemical, and biological health has been considered as one of the main reasons for the stagnation in agricultural productivity in India. The major focus of the programme in 2020-21 will be on farmer awareness in over 1 lakh villages all over the country.

Govt Sets Target of Constructing Roads Worth Rs 15 Lakh cr in Next Two Years

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari said, his ministry has set a target of constructing roads worth 15 lakh crore rupees in the next two years. He said, the ministry is working overtime to clear all arbitration cases with concessionaires.
Mr Gadkari was holding a meeting via video conferencing with the members of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers on impact of COVID-19 on auto sector. Mr Gadkari suggested that the focus should be on enhancing liquidity in business, as ups and downs are common.
The Minister informed that the officials have been asked to finalize the auto scrapping policy quickly and said, it will go a long way in cost reduction. He also suggested exploring cheaper credits including foreign capital for enhancing liquidity in the automobile manufacturing sector.

May 09, 2020

Jharkhand Bans 11 Pan Masala Brands to Protect Public Health

Jharkhand banned manufacture, sale and storage of 11 brands of pan masala for a year saying these products contain a chemical which is harmful to the heart and can cause various diseases.
The authorities collected 41 samples of various brands of pan masala from different districts and tested them to check it they contain magnesium carbonate, which is banned under the Food Safety Act, 2006, as one of the ingredients.

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