9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 20, 2019

Cabinet approves new National Electronics Policy The Union Cabinet has approved the National Policy on Electronics (NPE) 2019. The policy aims to a) achieve a turnover of $400 billion for the Electronics System design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector by 2025 and b) generate 1 crore jobs in India. The ESDM sector includes subsectors such as… Continue reading Cabinet approves new National Electronics Policy

More than 4 lakh children are inhalant addicts: survey According to a recent study by National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, Delhi, 5.7 crore people in India suffer from alcohol dependence. Alcohol abuse is particularly very high in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Odisha registered maximum… Continue reading More than 4 lakh children are inhalant addicts: survey

Govt. provides more for mid-day meal costs The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the revision of norms under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Mid-Day Meal Scheme is a centrally-sponsored Scheme that provides children studying in Classes I-VIII of government and government aided schools with cooked mid day meal. The key objectives of the MDMS is… Continue reading Govt. provides more for mid-day meal costs

Triple talaq ordinance to be renewed The Union Cabinet gave its nod to issue the Triple Talaq ordinance, which makes the practice of instant triple talaq by Muslim men a penal offence. The Triple talaq Bill makes pronouncement of triple talaq void and illegal. It seeks to make the practice of instant triple talaq a… Continue reading Triple talaq ordinance to be renewed

Cabinet approves Phase II of rooftop solar programme The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved Phase-II of the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme (GCRSP). Under the phase II Programme Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for the residential sector has been restructured. Further, focus will be on increased involvement of DISCOMs and performance based incentives will… Continue reading Cabinet approves Phase II of rooftop solar programme

Standard mediclaim policy on the cards, guidelines to be framed Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued draft guidlines on uniform health insurance product, to be called a standard Mediclaim Policy offering basic cover by all insurers including general and health insurance businesses. The minimum basic sum insured under the standard product shall… Continue reading Standard mediclaim policy on the cards, guidelines to be framed

Govt relaxes norms for startups The government has relaxed the norms under the definition of Start-Ups. The changes brought in are: (a) The investment limit of angel investors to seek exemption under the Income Tax Act, 1961 has been increased to Rs 25 crore from 10 Crore. (b) An entity shall be considered as a startup… Continue reading Govt relaxes norms for startups

7 islands in Lakshadweep and Andamans identified for seaplane operations During the 5th meeting of Island developement agency, Four islands in the Andamans and three in Lakshadweep have been identified for seaplane operations, while private sector participation has been invited for tourism based projects. These islands are Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, Hutbay and Long in… Continue reading 7 islands in Lakshadweep and Andamans identified for seaplane operations

Why more countries are welcoming Indian visitors India has ranked 67 out of 199 countries in the 2019 Passport Index. In 2015, India had ranked 77. 25 countries offer visa-free entry to Indians, 39 countries offer visa on arrival. Indian tourists still need visas to enter 134 countries Among SAARC nations, India only lags behind… Continue reading Why more countries are welcoming Indian visitors

To cut import, govt to boost production of drug ingredient Department of pharmaceuticals has charted out a plan to boost domestic local manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical ingredients(API) in order to reduce its import dependence on China. Bulk drugs or APIs are the active raw materials used in medicines to give them their therapeutic effect.More than… Continue reading To cut import, govt to boost production of drug ingredient

OFB gets clearance for producing 114 long-range artillery gun ‘Dhanush’ The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has received a production clearance from the Indian Army and the Defence Ministry for production of 114 ‘Dhanush’ artillery guns. Dhanush is an upgraded version of the Swedish Bofors gun procured by India in the mid-1980s. Dhanush is the first… Continue reading OFB gets clearance for producing 114 long-range artillery gun ‘Dhanush’