19th Feb 2021, budget, hydrogen, whole leaf teas, farmers protest

19 February 2021

• Budget right for farmers, migrant workers and consumers

  Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Railways and Commerce & Industry addressed a conference and said "Union Budget 2021 touches the life of common man. The budget takes care of the poor people who are at bottom of the pyramid. This budget instills a new hope for new India." He said Government has allowed exports of 60 lakh MT sugar and Rs 6 per kg as subsidy has been directly paid in the account of sugarcane farmers. MSP payments this session  2020-2021 have been at an all-time high.

• Hydrogen is the future of energy

  Hydrogen being abundantly available and a non-polluting fuel can be the future of energy. The government with  Greenstat Norway  is planning to develop a Center of Excellence on Hydrogen (CoE-H). This center will allow the transfer of technology and knowledge on Hydrogen, as source of energy. Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said "India is the third biggest consumer of energy and is an exciting place for any energy entrepreneur."

• Iran to import whole leaf teas from India

  Iran has announced its intent to import whole leaf teas from India to meet the demands of its domestic market. Iran is willing to part with a good sum for these teas. Loose leaf tea is free from additives and retains its original flavor.

• Standing crops will be sacrificed for protests

  The agitating farmer leaders have maintained that they will not back up from the protests even if it means sacrificing their standing crops which they will not be able to harvest due to participation in the protests.

• All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers decreases

  The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers have decreased in the month of January. This decrease in the price Index numbers has been caused by fall in prices of pulses, onion, potato, cauliflower, brinjal etc. This deflation will ease the financial burdens on these labourers, said DPS Negi, DG of Labour Bureau.

• More than 1 crore Covid Vaccinations in India

  Indians have surpassed the 1 crore mark in vaccinations of COVID helpers (medical and assisting personnel). India is slower than only USA in achieving this landmark. The active caseload now is 1.27% of India’s total Positive Cases and the Recovery Rate is 97.30% according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• Flying drones permitted to MoAFW in 100 districts

  The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) usage to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoAFW). Although drones will be permitted over 100 districts but with conditions and limitations which are to be strictly adhered to. On failing to follow these instructions the permission to fly drones will be withdrawn. The drones will help in calculation of Gram Panchayat level yield estimation.