Corona Status, farmers protest update, exports, MSP procurement, Malaria, bird flu

24 April 2021

• India exported 26.5 percent more processed food this year

  India has exported 26.5 percent more processed food compared to last year in monetary terms. During April 2020-February 2021, almost Rs 438 billion were earned from the exports of processed food. Even through the pandemic demand for Indian processed food has kept increasing. This is a result of initiatives taken by government agencies.   

• MSP procurements going smoothly across multiple states

  Over 1 crore farmers have benefitted from the MSP procurements worth Rs 1,335 billion. 707 LMT of paddy and 186 LMT of wheat has been procured so far.

• Target “Reaching Zero” Malaria

  Despite the pandemic, in anticipation of the Malaria day on 25th of April, a forum was held on “Reaching Zero” for Malaria. India has been working towards eliminating malaria completely by 2030. India has been able to reduce Malaria cases and deaths by almost 80 percent in last 5 years.

• Ministry of Defence now in fight against Corona

  Emergency financial powers have been given to Armed Forces Medical Services, so that it can fight Corona tooth and nail. Indian Airforce on the other hand is air-lifting oxygen to those cities in need. Medical personnel from different cities are also being airlifted for service in Delhi hospitals.

• Cull of birds on 5th Bulgarian farm

  40,000 birds on a Bulgarian farm are to be culled after having been infected with influenza. This will be the 5th farm on which a cull of the birds will take place due to infections, in Bulgaria since February.

• New Chief Justice of India Sworn in by President

  Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana is the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. He was sworn in by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind at a ceremony in the Rashtrapati Bhavan attended by the Prime Minister and high-ranking officials.

• PM addressed the farmers on National Panchayat Awards held online

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressed the farmers and the rural community of India online on the National Panchayat Awards held on National Panchayati Raj Day. He talked about how the villages have guarded themselves from Corona and should continue to do. How the rural families are being looked after by the government in the pandemic with their policies and initiatives. This Award ceremony was attended online by a number of Chief Ministers and Union Ministers with senior officials.

• Letter from intellectuals to government on farmers protest goes unanswered

  A number of intellectuals sent a written letter to the government, asking them to talk with the agitating farmers, to come to a solution to the problem. These intellectuals believe that the farmers are right in complaining about the three laws. However, it’s been 3 days and the government has not replied.

• Lebanon accused of smuggling by Saudi Arabia

  Saudi Arabia has blocked supply of fruits and veggies originating from Lebanon, till drug smuggling is brought under control by Lebanon.

• American fuel giant to invest $700 million in renewable fuel plant

  Strategic Biofuels LLC will invest $700 million in renewable fuel plant in Louisiana. It will produce 32 million gallons of renewable fuel per year and create hundreds of jobs for the locals.