New Delhi (NVI): As much as 3,65,170 MT has been procured from Punjab, Haryana and UP till October 3 in the 2020-21 kharif marketing season.
The paddy procurement is progressing smoothly and has commenced so far in these 3 states, according to Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
The total no of farmers benefited are 28,715 and total MSP outflow is Rs 689.44 crore, the Ministry added.
Furthermore, the pace of paddy procurement is going to pick up in a week’s time.
-CHK
COLUMN
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue of four democratic countries, commonly known as ‘Quad’ and comprising India, USA, Australia and Japan, seems to be finally getting alive and gaining momentum, 13 years after it came into being mainly to counter China’s growing assertiveness in South China Sea.
This impression can be drawn from the fact that the Foreign Ministers of the four countries will be having their first structured meeting in Tokyo on October 6.
This is the second meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers, with the first taking place on the margins of UN General Assembly in New York in September last year.
The indication that the upcoming meeting would be a structured one came as senior officials of the member countries last week held a meeting through virtual mode, apparently to prepare ground.
Although the grouping came into existence in 2007, the members have begun showing seriousness regarding it only recently, thanks to China’s expansionist manoeuvres and questionable conduct over COVID-19, which surfaced from the Chinese city of Wuhan and spread to the entire world, causing unprecedented global catastrophe.
All the four member countries of the Quad are of the common view that there is earnest need to counter China’s expansionist designs and territorial ambitions, which have got amplified by its aggression against India on the Ladakh border and repeated military manoeuvres targeted at Taiwan.
India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, for the record, has said the agenda of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting will be “broadly focused on the post-Covid-19 international order as well as the need for coordinating responses to the challenges emerging from the pandemic.”
He added, “There will also be a discussion on regional issues. The foreign ministers are expected to collectively affirm the importance of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.”
The Quad has so far been almost a dead grouping. The first setback came just within a year after it was formalised, with Australia pulling out after China took strong objection to formation of the grouping, saying it was an effort to encircle the Communist nation.
However, after the outbreak of corona pandemic and amidst sharp differences, Australia recently changed its stand and decided to be an active participant of the Quad.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, while announcing her travel to Tokya, said the meeting was taking place at an important time because “our shared interests are under unprecedented pressure, including as the region responds to Covid-19”.
She said her visit was “an opportunity to advance Australia’s interests, deepen ties with like-minded partners, and reaffirm our shared commitment to promoting a stable, inclusive and prosperous region as we work towards Covid-19 recovery”.
China is closely watching the developments related to Quad. Its Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui recently said the Quad was “an anti-China frontline” and “mini-Nato” which reflected the “cold war mentality” of the US.
The Quad was launched as a security dialogue forum in 2007 by the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with active support of the US. India and Australia, under Prime Minister John Howard, also joined.
It initially became a forum for informal summits and military drills, ostensibly to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
However, Australia withdrew from it in February 2008, shortly after Kevin Rudd took over as Prime Minister. The Australian withdrawal came after China lodged protest over a joint naval exercise involving Quad member countries and Singapore.
The Quad also suffered as Japan did not take keen interest after Yasuo Fakuda became the Prime Minister of Japan in late 2007. Fakuda was considered China-friendly.
However, India, Japan and the US continued to hold joint naval exercises under the code name Malabar.
During the 2017 ASEAN Summit in Manila, leaders of four former members — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe — resumed efforts to revive the Quad amidst growing assertiveness of China in South China Sea.
Now, it is to be seen whether the Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries come up with some concrete ways to deal with an aggressive China or it becomes just another meeting.
New Delhi (NVI): Indian Army chief Gen MM Naravane and Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla are set to visit Myanmar on October 4 and 5, the first time an Indian delegation to the neighbouring country has included both officials, for discussions to take forward ties in areas ranging from security to connectivity.
This will be the foreign secretary’s second foreign visit, after a trip to Bangladesh in August, since the Covid-19 outbreak and the army chief’s first such visit amid the restrictions related to the pandemic.
During their visit, the delegation will call on the State Counsellor of Myanmar, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, according to a statement by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
India – Myanmar relations are historic, multifaceted and marked by mutual trust and respect. India attaches high priority to its relationship with Myanmar in accordance with its ‘Neighborhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies, the statement said.
In the recent times, both sides have strengthened their cooperation in several areas, including connectivity and trade, development projects, energy, capacity building, defence and security and culture and people to people links, it added.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, few direct exchanges have taken place between the two sides. This visit will provide an opportunity to take stock of the existing bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The visit also comes four days after the India-Myanmar foreign office consultations, which were conducted virtually by Shringla and permanent secretary U Soe Han on Thursday.
-CHK
New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020,’ a Mega Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence on October 5.
The summit is scheduled to be held from October 5 to 9, which being organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog.
“RAISE 2020 is a first of its kind global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and chart a course for using AI for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment in areas like healthcare, agriculture, education and smart mobility, among other sectors,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement
At the RAISE 2020, delegates and experts in research, policy and innovation on Artificial Intelligence will join from across the globe, it added.
The summit will discuss cross-sector subjects like ‘Leveraging AI for Pandemic Preparedness’, ‘The Impetus that Innovation Places on Digitisation’, ‘Inclusive AI’, ‘Partnerships for Successful Innovation’ etc.
Moreover, the summit will also feature some of the most exciting startups working in Artificial Intelligence-related fields and startups chosen through the AI Solution Challenge will showcase their solutions in the AI Startup Pitch fest scheduled on October 6, the statement said.
This is part of government’s continuing support to tech entrepreneurs and startups by providing exposure, recognition and guidance, it added.
The statement further said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to leverage AI for inclusive development, representing the country’s ‘AI for All’ strategy, in the spirit of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.
Under the vision of the Prime Minister, India will soon stand out in the international community not just as a leader in the AI field, but also as a model to show the world how to responsibly direct AI for social empowerment, it noted.
-RJV
New Delhi (NVI): The Centre has decided to waive compound interest on loans of up to Rs 2 crore for a six-month moratorium period. The Centre agreed to waive compound interest (interest on interest) in the Supreme Court due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Centre also said it will seek due authorisation from Parliament for making appropriate grants.
“The endeavour shall be over and above the support of Rs 3.7 lakh crore to MSMEs, Rs 70,000 crore for home loans etc. already extended through the Garib Kalyan and Aatma Nirbhar packages announced by the government earlier,” it said.
The Union Finance Ministry also filed an affidavit on behalf of the Union of India. It said that the relief to all borrowers in respect of compounding of interest during the period of moratorium would be admissible to the categories specified irrespective of whether the borrowers had availed the moratorium or not.
“The government, therefore, has decided that the relief on waiver of compound interest during the six-month moratorium period shall be limited to the most vulnerable category of borrowers. This category of borrowers, in whose case, the compounding of interest will be waived, would be MSME loans and personal loans of up to Rs 2 crore,” it said.
The loans were categorised into eight categories by the government including MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), education, housing, consumer durable, credit card dues, auto, personal, and consumption.
It further said that any individual/entity whose loan amount is more than Rs 2 crore will not be eligible for waiver of the compounding of interest.
The Supreme Court last week directed the Centre to come up with a concrete plan to help borrowers.
-CHK
New Delhi (NVI): India continues to maintain the top global position with the maximum number of COVID-19 recoveries, pushing the total recoveries to 54,27,706 in the country, the Union Health Ministry said.
The country accounts for 21 per cent of the recovered cases worldwide, while its share in the total coronavirus cases stands at 18.6 per cent.
“India has also maintained its global position with one of the lowest case fatality rates (CFR) when compared to several other countries,” the Ministry of Health said.
While the global CFR stands at 2.97 per cent as on date, the comparative figure for India is 1.56 per cent, it added.
Moreover, the deaths per million population in India is one of the lowest in the world. While the global average is 130 deaths per million population, India is reporting 73 deaths per million population, the ministry said.
“India’s steady trend of posting high number of daily recoveries continues with 75,628 recoveries registered in the last 24 hours, taking the total recoveries to 54,27,706 in the country,” it added.
The higher number of single day recoveries is also reflected in the continuous increase in the national recovery rate, which at present stands at 83.84 per cent.
It said 74.36 per cent of the recovered cases in the past 24 hours are from 10 States/UTs. Maharashtra has contributed the highest number to these followed by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
There are 9,44,996 active cases of coronavirus in the country, which contribute only 14.60 per cent to the total positive caseload, the ministry noted.
“For the 12th successive day, India has sustained its steady trend of maintaining the active cases below the 10-lakh mark,” it said, adding that, nearly 77 per cent of the active cases are in 10 states and UTs.
Furthermore, 79,476 confirmed cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in the country, while 78.2 per cent of the new cases are concentrated in ten States/UT. Out of these, Maharashtra contributed close to 16,000 to the new cases, lower than the day before. Kerala surged to second place with 9,258 new cases while Karnataka reported more than 8000 daily new cases, the ministry said.
Also, 1,069 deaths have been registered in the past 24 hours with 10 States and UTs account for 84.1 per cent of fatalities in the past 24 hours.
However, the ministry stated, 39.66 per cent of deaths reported yesterday are from Maharashtra with 424 deaths followed by Karnataka with 125 deaths.
-RJV
New Delhi (NVI): In a major success amid the ongoing border crisis with China, India today successfully test-fired a new version of nuclear-capable Shaurya missile off the coast of Odisha, which can strike targets at around 800 kms.
In the final phase of its course, the missile moves at hypersonic speeds while moving close to its target.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation has lately carried out a slew of missile tests amid heightened tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control.
The new version of the missile was test fired successfully and would be inducted in the strategic forces to complement one of the existing missiles in the same class.
The missile would be lighter and easier to operate in comparison with the existing missile.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been working towards completing total self-reliance in the field of strategic missiles and has enhanced its efforts further after the call of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the defence sector earlier this year.
India also successfully test fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile which can hit targets at over 400 km strike range which is at least more than 100 kms from the previous capability of the missile.
-CHK
New Delhi (NVI): The government of Kerala has imposed Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), prohibiting the assembly of more than five people to control the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.
The state government also said the order shall come into force from October 3 and will remain in effect till October 31.
Meanwhile, the order of the government of Kerala stated, “In light of the surge in number of COVID-19 cases in the state, public congregations and gatherings pose an impending danger of a super spread of the infection. Hence, an assembly or gathering of more than five people at a time cannot be permitted.”
“For the enforcement of social distancing, the provisions of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 shall be effected,” it added.
Recently, Kerala has seen a hike of over 126 percent in active COVID-19 cases.
Kerala reported its highest single-day spike with 9,258 COVID-19 cases, taking the total caseload to 2,13,499 in the state.
-RJV
New Delhi (NVI): Researchers have found that global warming is driving an unprecedented rise in sea temperatures, including in the Mediterranean sea.
Data from the European Union’s (EU) Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) has increased concerns about the threat to the world’s seas and oceans from climate change.
The Ocean State Report revealed an overall trend globally of surface warming based on evidence from 1993 to 2018, with the largest rise in the Arctic Ocean.
“Changes to the ocean have impacted on these (ocean) ecosystem services and stretched them to unsustainable limits,” said study authors Karina von Schuckmann and Pierre-Yves Le Traon from the European Academy of Science.
According to the researchers, European seas experienced record high temperatures in 2018, a phenomenon which the researchers attribute to extreme weather conditions—a marine heatwave lasting several months.
In the same year, a large mass of warm water occurred in the northeast Pacific Ocean, according to the report. This was similar to a marine heatwave—dubbed ‘the Blob’—which was first detected in 2013 and had devastating effects on marine life.
Now the study authors are calling for improved monitoring to provide better data and knowledge.
They argue this will help countries progress towards sustainable use of seas and oceans which are an essential source of food, energy and other resources.
Findings from the report, published in the Journal of Operational Oceanography, confirm record rises in sea temperatures.
“More than ever a long term, comprehensive and systematic monitoring, assessment and reporting of the ocean is required. This is to ensure sustainable science-based management of the ocean for societal benefit,” the study authors wrote.
The report identified other major strains on the world’s seas and oceans from climate change, including acidification caused by carbon dioxide uptake from the atmosphere, sea-level rise, loss of oxygen and sea ice retreat.
Long-term evidence of global warming outlined in the report includes a decrease over 30 years of up to two days in the period of Baltic Sea ice cover and an acceleration in the global mean sea-level rise.
The report highlights that the message from recent EU and global assessments of the state of seas and oceans is ‘we are not doing well’. “Human society has always been dependent on the seas. Failure to reach good environmental status for our seas and oceans is not an option,” they noted.
-CHK
New Delhi (NVI): The Sports Authority of India (SAI) today issued standard operating procedure (SOP) for high-performance athletes who had tested positive for COVID-19 and are training at SAI centres.
According to the new guidelines, which has been termed “Graduated Return to Play” (GRTP), all SAI officials and centres have been asked to monitor the progression of athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are undergoing training in SAI facilities.
“The SOP has been divided into three different categories, based on COVID -19 cases,” the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in a statement.
1. Category One: COVID-19 Positive & Asymptomatic (mild localized symptoms that resolve within 10 days)
2. Category Two: COVID-19 Positive & Prolonged Course (Regional / systemic symptoms for more than 10 days) or severe symptoms that required hospitalisation
3. Category Three: COVID-19 Positive & Symptoms during GRTP progression (Post recovery complications)
Under the new guidelines, all SAI officials have also been given strict instructions and added responsibilities with regards to training athletes who test positive for COVID-19 virus.
“SAI is also identifying medical and paramedical experts to designate at each centre to ensure clinical assessment of COVID-19 infection on the athletes and implementation of the guidelines stated within the SOP, ” the guidelines stated.
These designated medical and paramedical experts are being instructed to ensure clarity with regards to the GRTP progression in the result of the Post COVID-19 Infection Clinical Assessment, it added.
Further, coaches have been instructed to plan a physical activity at 50 per cent of normal intensity and volume for an otherwise healthy patient with a self-limiting course of COVID-19 who has been asymptomatic for 7 days, the guidelines said.
As per the guidelines, the medical and paramedical staff have been asked to monitor the progress of the athletes regularly and give advice to athletes and coaches for gradual resumption to training.
“Athletes would be monitored before, during and after the exercise sessions and if any unwarranted symptoms are there it would be reported to the medical team for further assessment,” it added.
-RJV
