1. Finance Minister launches Central Investigation Center and IEPFA Mobile App
Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Central Investigation (Scrutiny) Center (CSC) and the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority-IEPFA (Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority) mobile app. This center and mobile app have been launched to provide digital solutions to the countrymen in line with the Prime Minister’s digitally empowered India vision. Addressing the function organized on the occasion, Sitaraman said that these two beginnings will provide a friendly platform for investors and corporate.
- Parliament passed a bill to set up a National Infrastructure and Finance Development Bank
The Rajya Sabha has passed a bill for the establishment of the National Infrastructure and Finance Development Bank – NBFID . The institute will act as the premier development financial institution and development bank to finance infrastructure in the country. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. The new development finance institution will try to address the market failures that arise from long-term, low margin and risk of infrastructure financing. The government will provide grants and contributions to the institution, guarantees at concessional rates for foreign borrowings and other concessions. The Union Cabinet last week approved the establishment of DFI with a capital of 20 thousand crore rupees .
- Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill passed by Parliament
The National Capital Territory of Delhi Government (Amendment) Bill has been passed by the Parliament after it has been approved by the Rajya Sabha. The Bill to amend the National Capital Territory of Delhi Government Act 1991 has been passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. According to the Bill, the Deputy Governor will have the right to enforce any law made by the Delhi Legislative Assembly .
- India ranked 40 in the International Intellectual Property Index
The annual edition of ‘ International Intellectual Property ‘ was released on 23 March 2021. India was ranked 40th among 53 global economies in the ninth Intellectual Property Index . This index ‘ US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center(US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center – GIPC). It evaluates the intellectual property rights of 53 global economies on the basis of patents, commercialization of IP assets, copyright policies and ratification of international businesses. According to this index, the overall global intellectual property environment improved in 2020. Out of 53 economies, 32 economies had positive scores. India was ranked 40 in 2020. It has achieved a score of 4 out of 100 in 50 intellectual property-related indicators. India’s overall score has increased from 04 percent in the seventh edition to 38.46 percent in the eighth edition. Among the BRICS countries, India recorded the second largest increase in nine editions with an overall improvement of over 13 percent.
- India TB Report 2021 released
India TB Report 2021 was recently published. According to this, India registered a 24% year-on-year decline in tuberculosis registrations in 2020 . Between the disruptions and the lockdown caused by the Kovid-19 pandemic, an estimated 18.05 lakh TB cases were reported in India.were done. This report also found that between January and February 2020, there has been a 6% increase in the registration of TB. Later, the National Tuberculosis Eradication Program closed the gap on missing cases of TB. Thus, 11% more cases were reported by December as compared to April. In 2019, 24.04 lakh cases were reported, of which the treatment success rate was 82%, while the death rate was 4%. India has the highest 2.64 million tuberculosis patients worldwide. It accounts for 30% of the world’s TB cases. The Government of India has set a target of TB-free India by 2025. With this objective, India is expanding TB care to detect cases as soon as possible and prevent the emergence of new cases.
- Visit of HE Mr. Suh Wook, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea to India
As part of enhancing bilateral defense cooperation between India and the Republic of Korea, the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, Srisuh Wook will visit India from 25 to 27 March 2021. During his visit, the Hon’ble Minister will interact with many senior dignitaries of the country and discuss issues of strategic nature.
- Civil Aviation Security Bureau and Yamuna International Airport signed the MoU of Civil Aviation Security
The Civil Aviation Security Bureau and Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL) signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) on Civil Aviation Security in New Delhi. The MoU mentions provisions for civil aviation security responsibilities and functions at the upcoming international airport in Jewar, Noida. The MoU was signed by Mr. Ankit Garg, Deputy General Manager of BCAS and Christophe Schneelmann, CEO of Yamuna International Airport Private Limited.
- ‘US-India Homeland Security Dialogue’ to be resumed
The Joe Biden administration has decided to reestablish the ” Homeland Security Dialogue ” with India . This dialogue was closed by former US President Donald Trump . Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas took this decision on March 22, 2021, after talks with India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The Homeland Security Secretary pledged his support to further strengthen the partnership on both sides. In a recent meeting, Sandhu and Mayurakas have agreed to reestablish the ‘Homeland Security Dialogue’ between India and the US. He discussed a number of important issues during this period including cyber security, emerging technology and addressing violent extremism.
- Ministry of Social Justice will start nutrition campaign for the elderly
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is going to launch a ‘ Nutrition Campaign ‘ for the elderly so that they can be provided with ‘Nutrition Assistance’. Under this mission, assistance will be provided to the elderly who do not live in Old Age Homes and are malnourished. The mission will focus on the purchase of healthy food items that are available locally for hot-cooked mid-day meals. The scheme will be implemented by “Gram Panchayats and Urban Municipalities”. The ‘Senior Citizen Welfare Fund’ will be used to fund and implement the mission.
- Union Education Minister launches new CBSE assessment system for science, mathematics and English subject classes under CBSE merit-based education project
The Central Board of Secondary Education i.e. CBSE has merit based assessment for Science, Mathematics and English .The structure is announced. The Assessment Framework of CBSE was launched by Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. This initiative has been taken under the new National Education Policy. CBSE has prepared the outline of this assessment framework in collaboration with the British Council. According to the CBSE, the aim of changing the method of assessment is to eliminate the habit of rote students and to develop their ability to provide practical knowledge and solve problems. With the support of the Principal, 180 question paper writers and 360 master trainers, senior government officials and educational leaders, with their support, 25,000 CBSE schools, 1,32,000 teachers and 20 million learners in India will be affected by 2024.
- Department of Biotechnology Launches National Biopharma Mission
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has launched a Cabinet approved National Biopharma Mission with the aim of strengthening the emerging biotechnology enterprise across India . The National Biopharma Mission was launched to support small and medium enterprises to address the risks associated with the early stages of product development. It promotes entrepreneurship by supporting increased industry-academia inter-linkage. It also provides advice and training for academics, innovators and entrepreneurs. The mission promotes domestic manufacturing by shared national facilities such as the establishment of GLP analytical facilities, cell line repositories and clinical trial networks.
- Saudi Arabia proposes UN-sponsored ceasefire in Yemen
The Saudi Arabian government has proposed a UN-sponsored ceasefire in Yemen and is awaiting a response from the rebel Houthi movement . This peace initiative of Saudi Arabia is in line with previous proposals such as consultation efforts to end the crisis. Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister, Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, also highlighted that Saudi Arabia would continue to support Yemen’s government in the country’s fight against the Houthi rebels. The government of Saudi Arabia will try to bring peace to Yemen. The country hopes that the Houthi rebels will accept a ceasefire proposal to negotiate peace consultations between Yemeni parties to reach a broad and lasting political settlement.
- SEBI relaxes valuation norms for AT-1 bonds
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) relaxed the pricing norms for permanent bonds on March 22, 2021, after the Finance Ministry opposed the norms that allowed banks to convert Basel III’s residual maturity into additional Tier 1 (AT1 ) Was proposed to be considered as a 100-year loan in the form of a bond. The statement issued by SEBI stated that the maturity period will be 10 years by March 31, 2022. Later it will be increased to 20 and 30 years in a period of six months. The statement further stated that, from April 2023, the residual maturity of AT1 bonds will be 100 years from the date of issue of these bonds. It further states that, the residual maturity of Basel III Tier 2 bonds will be considered for 10 years or contractual maturity by March 2022.
- Village Ujala Yojana launched in Varanasi
Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister Raj Kumar Singh launched the ” Village Ujala Yojana ” on March 24, 2021 in Varanasi . The Village Ujala scheme provides the world’s cheapest LED bulbs in rural areas for 10 rupees . The scheme is funded on the basis of carbon credits. It will claim carbon credits under the “United Nations’ Clean Development Mechanism”. The carbon credit will contribute Rs 60 per piece while Rs 10 will be paid by the rural consumer. Under the scheme, incandescent and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs will be withdrawn from rural customers.
- ‘Vajra’ commissioned into Indian Coast Guard
The Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Vajra’ was commissioned by Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat at Kattupalli, Chennai . INS Vajra is the sixth in the series of seven offshore Patrol Vessels and is manufactured by M / s Larsen & Toubro Limited.(M / s Larsen & Toubro Ltd) in Kattupalli. It is a 98 meter long vessel and is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, machinery and sensors. It is designed to carry a twin-engined helicopter and four high-speed boats. It also has two hard hull inflatable boats for swift boarding operations. ‘Vajra’ can be used in search and rescue operations, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to counteract oil spills at sea. It will be deployed for surveillance in the Special Economic Zones of the Indian coastal region.
- Ministry of Skill invited applications for Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 9 Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship till 27 March 2021 in association with IIM”(Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship) is invited. The event has invited applications in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM-Jammu, IIM Udaipur, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Nagpur, IIM Visakhapatnam, IIM Lucknow and IIM Ranchi. It includes class sessions and unique opportunities in IIM to promote skill planning and development in the economies of the district. Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship 2021-2023 was launched by the ‘Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’. It is a two-year fellowship program, launched to promote skill development at the district level. It has been prepared under ‘Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion’ (SANKALP).
- Water rationing will be done for 1 million homes in Taiwan
According to Taiwan ‘s Economic Minister Wang Mei-hua, Taiwan ‘s controlled distribution of water since April, 2021, to more than one million households living in the center of the islandWill do. Taiwan is a sub-tropical country and is experiencing its worst drought in half a century. Water scarcity is most severe in western Taiwan, where most people live. Thus, from April, the water supply in Taichung and parts of Miaoli will be cut off for two days a week and the government will send water tankers to supply the residents if necessary. The government has also said that Hsinchu Province (Hsinchu), which is home to companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), will not be affected by this drought. The water in Hsinchu’s reservoir is scarce, but water is being transported from Taipei City and supplied by desalination.
- Districts will be ranked on the basis of export competition
The Commerce Ministry said that Foreign Trade Directorate (DGFT) “various districts annual export ranking index will assist states and union territories to prepare” (Annual Export Ranking Index). This index will rank each district on export competitiveness. To decentralize export promotion activity, the central government is working on developing districts as export centers. Earlier, export promotion was done by the central government. No state or district was involved in the decision making process to promote goods and services produced at the grassroots level.
- Supreme Court waives interest in loan scheme
India’s Supreme Court has moratorium Scheme (Loan Moratorium Scheme) on the government and Reserve Bank of India has refused to intervene in the decision (RBI). The Supreme Court has also said that additional relief like total waiver of interest cannot be allowed as it would affect depositors. The apex court also said that no interest will be charged on the loan interest irrespective of the loan amount . If any amount has been collected it will be refunded. The Supreme Court delivered its verdict after a batch of pleas by several trade associations from the real estate and power sectors seeking extension of debt deferment and other relief due to the coronovirus epidemic. The judgment was reserved on 17 December 2020 by a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan.
- North Korea fired two cruise missiles
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea , North Korea fired two cruise missiles off the west coast on March 21, 2021 . This is Pyongyang’s first missile test since April 14, 2020. The firing of the two cruise missiles is being seen as a test by the US President Joe Biden administration. North Korea has imposed a self-employed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile testing since 2017. On April 14, 2020, North Korea launched several of its short-range cruise missiles in the East Sea to mark the birthday of the late national founder.
- The Olympic Torch Relay for the Tokyo Olympic Games begins today in Fukushima, Japan
Tokyo Olympics in 2020 for Japan ‘s Fukushima prefecture lasting 121 days of torch relay began on 25 March. The general public was not included in the Olympic flashlight relay ceremony due to the Corona epidemic. It was started by the National Football Training Center by 14 other members and coach Norio Sasaki, including Edusa Iwashimizu, a member of the winning team of the 2011 Women’s Football World Cup.
- International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members
International Day of Solidarity with the interned and missing staff members, annually by the United Nations on 25 March(International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members) is celebrated. The day marks the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett, a former journalist, who was working for the United Nations Relief and Construction Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine refugees in the Near East each year. In 1985, he was kidnapped by armed gunmen. His body was finally found in 2009 in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. As the attacks against the United Nations intensify, the International Day of Solidarity with detained and missing staff members has become even more important in recent years. It is a day to take action, demand justice and strengthen our resolve to protect the United Nations staff and peacekeepers, as well as the non-governmental community and our allies in the press.
- International Day to commemorate the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed annually on 25 March in memory of the victims of Gu Lami and the Transatlantic Slave Trade . The day provides an opportunity to honor and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. The purpose of International Day today is to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice. 2021 theme: ” Ending Slavery’s Legacy of Racism: A Global Imperative for Justice ”
The International Day, in commemoration of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, is a United Nations international observance, which was announced through a resolution in 2007 to be celebrated on 25 March. The day commemorates those who suffered and died due to the translational slave trade, which has been called the “worst violation of human rights in history”, in which over 400 years, 15 million men, women and children suffered.
