Centre caps prices of oxygen concentrators
The government has set a limit on the trade margin on oxygen concentrators at 70% in order to keep the price in check of the much in demand, critical life-saving component amid the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an official release, the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry stated that the decision has been taken in light of the extraordinary circumstances due to the pandemic which has resulted in volatility in Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) of oxygen concentrators. As per information collected by the government, the margin on the oxygen concentrators at the distributor level currently ranges up to 198%, it added.
Source- NDTV
'Meant for publicity': Juhi Chawla's 5G case dismissed, court says pay Rs. 20 lakh
Actor Juhi Chawla's petition against the rollout of 5G in the country was thrown out today by the Delhi High Court, which said in very stern remarks that the lawsuit was apparently "for publicity". The lawsuit by Juhi Chawla, Veeresh Malik and Teena Vachani said that if the telecom industry's plans for 5G became a reality, it would cause irreversible damage to the environment and "no person, animal, bird, insect or plant on earth will be able to avoid the exposure, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to radiation which is 10x to 100x times greater than what exists today".
Source- MoneyControl
Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) monetary policy highlights
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept its key policy rates unchanged on Friday, for the sixth consecutive time. Repo rate remains unchanged at 4%. The reverse repo rate, the borrowing rate, unchanged at 3.35%. The central bank also lowered its estimate for economic growth to 9.5% for the current fiscal from an earlier projection of 10.5% due to the impact of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and bank rates were also kept unchanged at 4.25%.
Source- MoneyControl
No curbs on Ramdev, he’s entitled to his opinion: HC
The Delhi High Court, on Thursday, refused to pass any kind of injunction against yoga guru Ramdev. According to the court, his statements against allopathy come within the parameters of the right to freedom of speech and expression. The judge stated that the allopathic profession is not so fragile that the doctors’ body will rush to the court for this and directed the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) to focus more on “beating the pandemic” rather than “taking up court time and having litigations”.
The court also added that there are proper protocols and institutions in place to check false medical claims or magic remedies and it cannot say whether Coronil, a product of Ramdev’s Patanjali, is a cure for Covid-19 or not. It said the same is to be decided by medical experts.
Source- The Indian Express
Maharashtra govt says no relaxation of lockdown-like curbs anywhere yet
Contrary to the announcement made by minister Vijay Wadettiwar, the Maharashtra Government, on Thursday, clarified that the existing restrictions on account of Covid-19 have not been lifted anywhere. The decision to relax any rules is under consideration and that too will be done according to the situation in different areas, the Chief Minister’s Office issued in a statement.
Wadettiwar had earlier stated that restrictions would be lifted in 18 out of 36 districts in the state where the positivity rate is five percent or less and the occupancy of oxygen beds in hospitals is less than 25 percent from Friday.
Source- The Economic Times
People from Delhi, Haryana booking Covid-19 vaccine slots in Meerut
"People from Delhi and Haryana are booking slots in Meerut for the second dose of Covaxin here because of shortage (in those places). Around 70% of slots of Covaxin's second dose for the 18-44 age group have been booked by people from Delhi. We're discouraging them”, said district immunisation officer Praveen Gautam. Several states, including Delhi and Maharashtra, have suspended their immunisation drives for the people in the age group of 18-44 citing a shortage of doses.
Source- Hindustan Times
MoD clears Rs 43,000 crore project to build 6 submarines
In a major push to the 'Make in India' initiative, the Indian Navy received the final clearance for a mega submarine project worth Rs 50,000 crore to build six stealth submarines under Project-75.
On Friday, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) to two Indian companies that can work in collaboration with a foreign manufacturer to build those submarines.
The RFP has been issued to Mazagon Docks (MDL) and private ship-builder Larsen & Toubro (L&T). This is under the strategic partnership model where Indian strategic partners (SPs), MDL and L&T will tie up with one of the five selected foreign shipyards to submit their technical and financial bids.
Source- India Today
Google displays Kannada as `ugliest` language, issues apologies
Karnataka plans to send a legal notice to Google after a top search result showed the state's official language as the "ugliest language in India". The tech giant evidently apologised in a statement for hurting any sentiments and has fixed the search result after massive outrage, even from many leaders from the southern state.
Aravind Limbavali, a minister from the state has demanded an apology from the tech company saying that this was an attempt by Google to insult the pride of Kannadigas.
Source- BBC
Gas leak at Maharashtra chemical factory
A gas leak on Thursday night, from a chemical factory in Maharashtra's Badlapur, was reported, causing panic among the locals. Several residents within the three-kilometer radius complained about difficulty in breathing and eye irritation. According to the Thane Municipal Corporation, the incident occurred due to a chemical reaction caused by the overheating of sulfuric acid and benzyl acid.
Source- News18
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