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For a first time in five years, Monsoon enters Jharkhand on time

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For a first time in five years Monsoon has arrived in the state on time. Normally it takes twelve days for the Monsoon to reach Jharkhand from Kerala but this time around it has reached in just 9 days.

Monsoon made its entry in the state via Sahebganj and has covered all the six districts of the Santhal Pargana region and since the conditions are favourable almost all the 24 districts will be covered by it.

The weather department has predicted good rainfall over the next five days across the state and at one or two places heavy rainfall has been also predicted. The track of the Monsoon is similar to what was reported in the previous year. The Weather Station said initially in pre-monsoon less rainfall was reported but it good covered up in the last due to which this year a good rainfall is expected.

Jharkhand on average receives 1054.7 mm of rainfall in the Monsoon season. Rainfall more than 19 per cent of the average annual rainfall or less than 19 per cent of the average annual rainfall is kept in normal category which means if during the season the state receives rainfall between 854.30 mm to 1255 mm it will be considered normal.

For the period between June 1 to 12, the state has reported 34 per cent more rainfall at 61.5 mm as compared to 45.9 mm generally which takes place during this period. The cyclone Yaas also resulted in heavy rainfall in the state. In May 219.7 mm of rainfall took place in the state which helped to fill the dams and reservoirs.

In the last 24 hours, Hazaribagh has received a maximum rainfall at 65 mm followed by Maithon in Dhanbad at 57.2 mm, Balumath at 51 mm and Ranchi has received 50.4 mm of rainfall.

-Agencies

GST rates on Covid items slashed; Exemptions & GST reductions extended till September.

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The GST Council has largely accepted the recommendations of the Group of Ministers constituted to look into extending the ambit of GST concessions on COVID treatment-related medical devices and drugs. Briefing media in New Delhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed that the Council has agreed to completely exempt antifungal drug Amphotericin – B and antiviral drug Tocilizumab from any kind of GST.

The Minister added that GST on another critical drug Remdesivir, used in treatment of COVID patients has been reduced from 12 per cent to five per cent. Additionally, GST on anticoagulant Heparin and any other specified drug recommended by the Health Ministry for COVID-related treatment will stand reduced at five per cent.

Ms. Sitharaman said that the GST Council agreed to reduce GST from existing 12 per cent to five per cent on medical grade Oxygen, Oxygen generation equipment and related medical devices in order to extend relief to the people. In addition to this, COVID testing kits, Pulse Oximeters, Temperature checking equipment and Hand Sanitisers would also now cost cheaper as GST on them have been reduced to five per cent.

The Council also agreed to cut down GST on Ambulances from existing 28 per cent to 12 per cent and on electric and gas furnaces for crematoriums from 18 per cent to five per cent. The GST Council also extended the timeline of exemptions and GST reductions on COVID-related equipment and drugs till September this year.

These decisions were taken in the 44th GST Council Meeting which was convened on a single-agenda to deliberate on the report submitted by the Group of Ministers on tax relief for COVID-19 essentials. The Group of Ministers, GoM was constituted after the previous GST Council meet held last month. The GoM submitted it’s report in less than eight days after its constitution.

(EW News Desk)

Modi calls for global unity to prevent future pandemic.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for global unity, leadership and solidarity to prevent future pandemics and emphasized the special responsibility of democratic and transparent societies. Participating in the first Outreach Session of the G7 Summit via virtual mode, Mr Modi said the meeting should send out the message of ‘One Earth One Health’ for the whole world. He highlighted India’s ‘whole of society’ approach to fight the pandemic, synergising the efforts of all levels of the government, industry and civil society. 

The Prime Minister also explained India’s successful use of open source digital tools for contact tracing and vaccine management. He conveyed India’s willingness to share its experience and expertise with other developing countries.

Prime Minister Modi committed India’s support for collective endeavours to improve global health governance. He sought the G7’s support for the proposal moved at the WTO by India and South Africa, for a TRIPS waiver on COVID related technologies.  Sources said Australia and others came out strongly in support of this.

The session, titled ‘Building Back Stronger – Health’, focused on global recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and on strengthening resilience against future pandemics. The Prime Minister will participate in the final day of the G7 Summit today and will speak in two Sessions.

Rajnath Singh approves Rs 498.8 crore budgetary support for Defence innovation

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New Delhi: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the budgetary support of Rs 498.8 crore to Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) – Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) for the next five years.
The scheme is aimed at providing financial support to nearly 300 start-ups/MSMEs/individual innovators and 20 partner incubators under the DIO framework, a statement by Defence Ministry said.
The budgetary support will provide a big boost to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as iDEX–DIO has the primary objective of self-reliance and indigenisation in defence & aerospace sector of the country.
The Department of Defence Production (DDP) will release funds to DIO for setting up and managing the iDEX network in the form of Partner Incubators (PIs); communicating with innovators/start-ups/technology centres of MSMEs through the PIs, as per the statement.
The DIO, with its team, will enable the creation of channels for innovators to engage and interact with the Indian Defence production industry.

Uttarakhand Congress leader Indira Hridayesh dies.

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New Delhi, Veteran Uttarakhand Congress politician and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Dr Indira Hridayesh passed away due to cardiac arrest here at the Uttarakhand Sadan on Sunday.

The 80-year-old Haldwani MLA was in the capital to attend a party meeting on Saturday and just two days ago, she was seen vociferously protesting against the fuel hike in Haldwani.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by her demise. “Dr. Indira Hridayesh Ji was at the forefront of several community service efforts. She made a mark as an effective legislator and also had rich administrative experience. Saddened by her demise. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister’s office said quoting Mr Modi.

The state wing of the grand-old party termed her demise as extremely painful and unfortunate for the party. “The sudden demise of Dr. Indira Hridayesh ji, a senior member of the Uttarakhand Congress family, who devoted her entire political life to the Congress party from UP to Uttarakhand for the last four decades, in Uttarakhand Sadan, Delhi is extremely painful,” the party said in a tweet.

The deceased Congress leader was first elected from the Haldwani constituency in 2012. Under former chief minister Harish Rawat-led government from 2012-2017, Dr Indira served as the state Finance Minister. She also held the portfolio of Parliamentary Affairs, Higher Education, and Planning in the Uttarakhand government.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while expressing his condolences, said that Dr Indira worked till the end for the welfare of the public and the party. “Her social and political contributions are an inspiration for all of us,” he said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat echoed similar sentiments. He said Dr Indira always remained at the forefront to raise issues of public importance. “I express my condolences to her family and supporters during this difficult time,” Mr Rawat said.

Delhi unlocks further, more relaxations

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New Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced further relaxations in the National Capital from June 14 onward as the COVID-19 graph continued to show a declining trend.

‘Tomorrow, after 5 am, all activities will be allowed except some activities which are completely prohibited while some activities are being allowed in a restricted manner (partially allowed),’ the Chief Minister announced in a digital press conference.

All markets, market complexes and malls, which were allowed to reopen on odd-even basis last week, will be fully open from tomorrow between 10 am and 8 pm and restaurants will also open at 50 per cent seating capacity. ‘Only one weekly market is allowed in one Zone,’ Mr Kejriwal said.

Meanwhile, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutes, cultural, social, political, sports, religious gatherings, stadiums, sports complexes, entertainment, spa and gyms, swimming pools, cinema theaters, multiplexes will continue to remain shut as they pose risk of spreading the pandemic.

Capital’s lifeline — Delhi Metro — will operate on 50 per cent capacity while Taxis and Autos will be allowed to commute only two passengers at one time. Mr Kejriwal further informed that the religious places are being opened but visitors will not be allowed.

More than one lakh people given Covid vaccine in a single day in Jharkhand.

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Ranchi, The Covid vaccination is finally gathering speed in Jharkhand record number of 1,02,831 people were given the vaccines in the state which included 95,730 people who got the first dose while another 7,101 were the recipients of the second dose. Age wise in the 45 plus category 38,499 people were given the vaccines while in 18 plus category 62,349 received their first dose of vaccine. As per the data available till June 11 in Jharkhand 41,31,501 people have received the first dose of vaccine while 7,72,863 have taken the second dose of the vaccine.

 In 18 age plus category 9,49,204 people have taken the first dose of vaccine. The Health Department has started special vaccination drive for the primitive tribes group in the state as part of which they have been divided into two groups. Priority has been accorded to such primitive tribes group who live in one place and for them teams will be reaching at their homes and doing their vaccination.

 Second category is of such group which keep on moving from one place to another and for them vaccination will be done by mobile vaccination vans. A senior official of the state government said that wastage of Coronavirus vaccine was less than 3 percent in Jharkhand. The state has so far received 58,17,250 vaccines out of which 46,56,640 was for 45 plus category while 11,61,210 was for 18 plus category. There are 7,60,655 vaccines in stock.

(Posted By: Sanjay Pandey)