Japan to invest $2.11 billion in key infrastructure projects in India

India and Japan have been expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region with an aim to thwart China’s aggressive postures. Both India and Japan have been expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region bilaterally, the latest being a grant of $2.11 billion by Japan for a project for the improvement of power supply in strategically located Andaman and Nicobar Islands.   A friendship that began in the 8th century has today blossomed into a strong foundation of strategic depth and mutual support – and the latest evidence comes in the form of…

Latest innovation in Wind Turbine to enhance the producing wind energy

There are new type of wind turbine that does not require wind orientation, provides stable operation during storm wind and other unfavourable weather conditions. The technology also claims low noise level which is multiple times decreased comparatively to traditional three-blade wind turbines, as well as capability to naturally accommodate solar panels in its construction, which increases energy output per unit occupying the same area. Globally wind Power industry sector is ready for disruption. Historically, the power sector was characterized by a mature technology and a stable legal framework that guaranteed…

A single vessel impact economy: Suez Canal operations

The current state of Suez Canal in a news channel. You can fathom the problem in hand for the authorities once you see the size of the ship. It’s taxing to even grasp how big this ship is. About a quarter mile long (400 meters) and weighing in at 200,000 metric tons, its sheer size is overwhelming the efforts to dig it out. It can carry 20,000 containers.   Around 18,829 ships passed through the canal carrying around 1.17 billion tonnes of cargo. Experts says, it may take weeks for…

FM launches Central Scrutiny Centre and IEPFA’s Mobile App to achieve PM’s vision of ‘Digitally empowered India’

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman here today virtually launched Central Scrutiny Centre (CSC) and Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority’s (IEPFA) Mobile App – two tech-enabled initiatives by Ministry of Corporate Affairs. These initiatives leverage to strengthen the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Digitally empowered India’. Shri Rajesh Verma, Secretary, MCA, and other senior officials attended the virtual launch event.   Announcing the launch of new initiatives, Smt. Sitharaman said, “Digital India is a campaign launched by the Government of India in order to ensure that the…

Genome Sequencing by INSACOG shows variants of concern and a Novel variant in India

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) is a grouping of 10 National Laboratories that was established by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India on 25/12/2020. INSACOG is since then carrying out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating COVID-19 viruses, and correlating epidemiological trends with genomic variants. Genomic variants of various viruses are a natural phenomenon and are found in almost all countries.   Since INSACOG initiated its work, 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) have been detected in a total of 10787 positive samples shared by States/UTs.…

Lok Sabha gives nod to NCT Bill, Kejriwal says it’s an insult to the people of Delhi

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (amendment) Bill has received a nod from the Lok Sabha. The Bill bestows more powers in the hands of the Lieutenant Governor and renders the elected government almost irrelevant.   The Bill raised a lot of criticism from the ruling Aam Admi Party. As per the Bill the expression “government” will mean Lieutenant Governor in laws made by the Legislative Assembly.   The other provision that had raised a lot of eyebrows is the one which specified that the opinion of the LG has to be…

Unauthorised selling of pharmacy through online, says CAIT

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has accused e-pharmacies like PharmEasy, Medlife and 1mg of violating the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. In a letter to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, CAIT noted that the “sale of prescription drugs and medicines through online medium is illegal”. It further accused them of “capital dumping and deep discounting, leading to predatory pricing”.   There is repeated violation of Drugs & Cosmetics Act by selling pharmacy through their respective e-commerce channels which is adversely affecting the business of lakh of Medicine Retailers, Chemists…

Enact a law to make Facebook, Google, Apple to pay publishers for news: sushil Modi

BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi has urged the government to enact a law to make tech companies pay local news publishers for their content. He said traditional and print medias in the country are passing through their worst phase with deep financial crisis in recent history as ads have shifted to tech platforms of Facebook, Google and YouTube. The government should enact a law on the pattern of Australian Code,” Modi further said.   Taking a cue from Australia, India should enact a law to make tech giants such as…

Public sector employees across India are protesting against privatisation

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the proposal during her Budget 2021 presentation. This also comes after bank unions observed a 2-day strike to protest the privatisation. Now LIC employees to go for strike on Mar 18 to protest against the government’s proposal of disinvesting the insurer. of two public sector banks.   Banking services across India were affected over the past couple of days as public sector banks (PSBs) employees staged a two-day strike (March 15-16, 2021) to express displeasure over the government’s intent to privatise PSBs.   The…

P K Sinha, the Principal Advisor PM Narendra Modi, has resigned

P K Sinha, a retired IAS officer of 1977 batch, was appointed as Principal Advisor to the Prime Minister in September 2019, after a brief stint as an officer on special duty (OSD).   Sinha was made OSD to the prime minister in August 2019, after he had served four years as cabinet secretary. Sinha had also served as Secretary in the Ministry of Power.   Sinha has resigned just after a year and a half after of the appointment. Sources said, there is a possibility that Sinha could be…