GUJARAT
Government needs to procure
from Rajasthan MSMEs to create
jobs
Government departments undertaking infrastructure development through
constructions of road and bridges, laying pipelines and building dams, and
expanding power transmission networks are violating Purchase Preference
Policy norms, depriving the state government GST revenue, eliminating
scope for jobs creation and undermining the growth of MSMEs in the state.
Purchase Preference Policy mandates government departments to procure
80% from Rajasthan-based MSMEs. “Purchase and price preference in
procurement from micro, small and medium enterprises situated in
Rajasthan is necessary for the promotion of domestic industry and for
furtherance of the socio-economic policy of the state government, says the
Act.
But industry said by awarding turnkey projects, government departments
are going beyond the ambit of the Act but it ultimately deprives the state its
share of revenues and opportunities for creating jobs and helping the
MSME sector.
Industries in Rajasthan still suffering from lack of demand due to the
pandemic with capacity utilization hovering around 50%. If they get
government contracts, that significantly help their recovery.
INTERNATIONAL
World Snow Leopard Day: 23 October
World Snow Leopard Day is observed globally on 23rd October.
The main purpose of this day is to show the importance of snow leopard conservation and
raise awareness about this incredible animal.
The day also emphasizes the importance of taking measures to stop poaching, as well as
consolidating efforts in terms of an environmental organization in the countries of the snow
leopard range.
The day was initiated by the countries that encompass the snow leopard’s range.
They include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan,
India, China, Bhutan, and Afganistan.
Russia Approved second COVID-19 Vaccine EpiVacCorona
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced about the 2nd COVID-19 Vaccine
EpiVacCorona. Russian authorities have given regulatory approval to EpiVacCorona, the
second coronavirus two-shot vaccine after early-stage trails.
The vaccine produces enough antibodies to protect the person and that the immunity it
creates could last for up to six months.
Russia's first vaccine was Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Russia-based
Gamaleya Institute and approved by the government on 11th August.
WMO released 2020 State of Climate Services Report
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of Climate Services 2020
Report on October 13, 2020. The State of Climate Services 2020 Report was released on the
occasion of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction by the UN- WMO.
Over the past 50 years, more than 11,000 disasters have been attributed to weather,
climate and water-related hazards, involving 2 million deaths and US$ 3.6 trillion in
economic losses.
The report is prepared by 16 international agencies.
This report contains 16 different case studies on various aspects like successful early
warning systems for climate hazards including tropical cyclones and hurricanes, floods,
droughts, heat waves, forest fires, sand and dust storms, desert locusts, severe winters and
glacial lake outbursts.
By 2030 the number of people using international humanitarian system could be increased
by 50% at a cost of around US$ 20 billion a year.
NATIONAL
India to deliver kilo class submarine to Myanmar
India said it will deliver a kilo class submarine to Myanmar's Navy, a move that comes in the
backdrop of China's increasing efforts to expand its military influence in the region.
It will be the first submarine of the Myanmarese Navy which has been ramping up
cooperation with the Indian Navy in the last few years.
Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-kilometer-long border
with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.
In the last few years, both sides have been ramping up maritime security cooperation.
Kilo class refers to diesel-electric attack submarines that were designed and built in the
erstwhile Soviet Union.
NITI Aayog & AWS Launch Frontier Technologies Cloud Innovation Centre in India
NITI Aayog announced the establishment of a Frontier Technologies Cloud Innovation
Center (CIC) with Amazon Web Services (AWS)—the first of its kind in India to address
societal challenges through digital innovation.
This CIC is part of the AWS CIC Global Program, which provides an opportunity for
government agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions, to come together on
pressing challenges, apply design thinking, test new ideas, and access the technical expertise
of AWS.
It is also aligned to the Prime Minister’s vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, as well that of
NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission.
The NITI Aayog Frontier Technologies CIC addresses a core mission, to identify and deploy
leading-edge technologies to drive continuous innovation in delivering citizen services.
20 lakh enrol in EPFO in first 5 months of FY21
Nearly 20 lakh people enrolled with the employees provident fund organisation in the first
five months of the current fiscal, the provisional payroll data published by EPFO.
The enrolment rate, which dropped in the first quarter due to lockdown picked up pace
again during July and August 2020. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the labour ministry
said 7.49 lakh net new subscribers were added to the pension fund in July this year,
accounting for 64% of the additions made in July 2019. In August, the figures improved to
roughly 93% in comparison to last year.
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka and Haryana led enrolment recovery cycle,
adding 57% of the 21.40 lakh net new subscribers during June, July and August. Provisional
EPFO data also suggested that ‘expert services’, comprising small contractors, private
security agencies, and manpower companies, contributed a combined net payroll figure of
11.20 lakh for months between June and August.
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