VANDE BHARAT MISSION
Why in news? The Vande Bharat Mission to bring stranded Non-Resident Keralites back home in the wake of a global lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic got off to a firm start with two flights from the Gulf carrying 363 passengers touching down at the Cochin and Karipur airports on 7th May 2020. Vande Bharat Mission India […]
NO SCIENTIFIC STUDIES REPORT STYRENE GAS CAUSING DEATHS
Why in news? The gas leak from LG Polymers, which led to the death of at least seven people in Visakhapatnam, is suspected to have been caused by styrene gas. Details Effects of Styrene Gas According to various studies The most common health problems when exposed to styrene involve the nervous system — both the […]
VISAKHAPATNAM GAS LEAK
Why in news? Eleven people, including a six-year-old girl, died and over 350 were admitted to hospitals after styrene monomer gas leaked from a chemical plant belonging to LG Polymers at RR Venkatapuram in Visakhapatnam on 7th May 2020. Details and Case Registered The company was earlier called Hindustan Polymers. It was taken over by the […]
NO PROOF FROM U.S. ON WUHAN LAB CLAIMS
Why in news? The World Health Organization said on 4th May that Washington had provided no evidence to support “speculative” claims by the U.S. president that COVID-19 originated in a Chinese lab. Existing Zoonotic theory, and other ideas Scientists believe the killer virus jumped from animals to humans, emerging in China late 2019, possibly from a […]
EU FORECASTS RECESSION OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? The European Union predicted 6th May “a recession of historic proportions this year” due to the impact of the coronavirus. Details The 27-nation EU economy is predicted to contract by 7.5 per cent this year, before growing by about 6 per cent in 2021. With the spread slowing in […]
CENTRE AND STATES ABSORB CRUDE OIL PRICE DROP BENEFITS
Why in news? The Centre’s steep tax hike on petrol and diesel may net it a huge Rs 1.7 lakh crore in additional tax revenue this fiscal year. Since March, tax-starved states such as Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam, Punjab and Haryana have sharply hiked Value Added Taxes (VAT) on fuel […]
GOVT FAST-TRACKS NEW DEFINITION OF MSMES
Why in news? The government is fast-tracking the move to amend the definition of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to allow these entities to grow in size. This plan to redefine MSMEs has been on the works for months and is likely a part of the stimulus package that will be announced in the […]
POOR FIND ACCESS TO ACCOUNTS HARD
Why in news? A survey of rural households in Six States cautioned that difficulty in accessing bank accounts meant that the impact of the benefits extended by the Central Government is more limited for the rural poor. The Benefits that Arrived Finance Ministry data showed that ₹34,800 crore has been transferred so far, from the […]
MADHYA PRADESH CAUGHT BETWEEN PANDEMIC AND PENURY
Why in news? The stringent lockdown imposed to curb the COVID-19 outbreak has had a crippling impact on the economy of Madhya Pradesh, where tax collection — SGST and IGST put together — dropped by close to 85% in April. Details Regarding GST arrears, the Centre has settled only part of the pendency for December […]
3 INDIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS WIN PULITZER PRIZE
Why in news? The 2020 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced virtually on 4th May owing to the COVID-19 outbreak. Indians who won: The Associated Press was awarded the feature photography prize for images showing life in Kashmir as India revoked its semi-autonomous status. Three photographers — Mukhtar Khan, Yasin Dar and Channi Anand —were named for the […]