UTTARAKHAND

Uttarakhand cabinet approves Covid sample testing by private labs, travel between districts without pass

To boost Covid-19 testing in the state, Uttarakhand cabinet cleared a proposal to approve testing by private labs. The steps adopted by Uttar Pradesh and other states in this regard would be studied and a tender would be floated within four days to shortlist the labs, the cabinet decided.

To ensure that works in villages was not impacted, the state government has brought an ordinance to fill the vacant posts of panchayat, block members and pradhans for six months.

INTERNATIONAL

World No Tobacco Day: May 31

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on 31 May.

The day spreads awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and to discourage people from using tobacco products.

Tobacco use is considered to be one of the leading preventable causes of mortality in the world.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly eight million people in the world die each year of tobacco use.

World Milk Day is observed on 1 June

World Milk Day is observed on 1 June every year. The day aims to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities that are connected with the dairy sector. 2020 Milk day marks the 20th year since the initiative and the entire world celebrates the day to mark the significance of milk intake in the diet.

World Milk Day aims to provide information about the need and importance of milk in a human being’s life. The day will raise awareness about milk and its products. The day also aims to educate people about the nutrients that are present in milk like calcium, protein, vitamin B2, potassium, iodine, etc.

World Milk Day was established by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The day was initiated to recognize the importance of milk as a global food. The day has been observed each year since 2001.

NATIONAL

Govt extends existing foreign trade policy (2015-20) for one year till March 2021

The Government extended the existing foreign trade policy (2015-20) for one year till March 2021 amid coronavirus outbreak and the lockdown.

The existing foreign trade policy 2015-20 which is valid up to March 31 this year is extended up to March 31, 2021.

Various other changes are also made extending the date of exemptions by one year and extending validity of DFIA and EPCG authorisations for import purposes.

Exports during April-February this fiscal dipped by 1.5 per cent to 292.91 billion dollars.

Imports during the period declined by 7.30 per cent to 436 billion dollars, leaving a trade deficit of 143.12 billion dollars.

CBSE introduces ‘Applied Mathematics’ as new academic elective from 2020-21

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced ‘Applied Mathematics’ as a new academic elective from the current academic year (2020-2021) for class XI.

The Applied Mathematics course is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of Mathematics that are required to be successful in different fields of their future career.

The approach of Applied Mathematics subject will be practical, and the students are expected to learn through practical applications of Mathematics in different disciplines.

Those students who have passed Basic Mathematics in class X are now allowed to offer the new academic elective Applied Mathematics at Senior Secondary Level.

NPPA sets up Price Monitoring and Resource Unit in JK

Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory (UT) has become 12th State to get the Price Monitoring & Resource Unit (PMRU) on 1 April 2020. It was set up by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

Price Monitoring & Resource Unit (PMRU):

The PMRU is a registered society. It shall function under the direct control and supervision of the State Drug Controller of Jammu & Kashmir.

The unit will be funded and supported by NPPA for its recurring and non-recurring expenses.

The PMRU shall help NPPA and State Drug Controller to ensure the availability and accessibility of medicines at affordable prices.

The unit will organize seminars, training programs, and other information, education and communication (IEC).

MoD received USD 8.82 million FDI during 2000-2019 period

Ministry of Defence (MoD) has received foreign direct investment (FDI) of $8.82 million (around Rs.51.93 crore) during the period April 2000 and December 2019. The Ministry announced it on 1 April. As per the data provided by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, FDI in the defence sector was aggregated at $2.18 million in 2018-19.

Highlights:

The data showed that, during the period April 2000-December 2019, the Foreign fund inflows in retail trading stood at $2 billion.

The top countries from where India attracted maximum FDI during the period are Mauritius, Singapore, Japan, Netherlands, and the US.

Also, the total merchandise imports from China were $76.3 billion in 2017-18 and it decreased to $70.3 billion in 2018-19. The total imports from China during April 2019- January 2020 were $57.9 billion.

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