GOVERNMENT EXTENDS TAX DEADLINES TO JUNE 30
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Deadlines for filing income tax and GST returns have been extended to June 30, as part of a slew of relaxations of financial year-end compliance announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 24th March 2020. The changes had been prompted by the shutdown of large parts of the […]
RBI ADVANCES SECOND TRANCHE OF OMO
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advanced its liquidity infusion plan by purchasing government bonds following a review of ‘current liquidity and financial conditions’. The RBI had announced open market operations (OMOs) of ₹30,000 crore in March 2020 — the first tranche was scheduled for March 24 […]
CENTRE AMENDS LAW TO ENABLE EXCISE DUTY INCREASE ON FUEL
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy, Why in news? Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on 23rd March 2020 moved an amendment to the Finance Bill, 2020, to raise the limit up to which the government can raise special excise duty on petrol and diesel to ₹18 per litre and ₹12, respectively. No hike planned for now This is […]
SCIENTISTS IDENTIFY DRUG CANDIDATES AGAINST VIRUS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Disaster Management Why in news? Nearly 70 drugs and experimental compounds may be effective in treating the coronavirus, a team of researchers reported on 22nd March 2020 night. Some of the medications are already used to treat other diseases, and repurposing them to treat Covid-19, the illness caused by the […]
PANDEMIC IS ACCELERATING, SAYS WHO
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? The new COVID-19 pandemic is clearly “accelerating”, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on 23rd March 2020, but said it was still possible to change its trajectory by going on the attack. What the WHO had to say? The number of officially recorded cases is believed to represent […]
RAJYA SABHA PASSES SIX BILLS ON LAST DAY OF SESSION
Focus: GS-II Governance, Indian Polity, Prelims Why in news? The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on 23rd March 2020, ahead of the schedule, owing to the lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. In the Budget session that began on January 31, the Upper House passed only 12 Bills, six of which were passed […]
LOK SABHA PASSES FINANCE BILL WITHOUT DEBATE
Focus: GS-II Governance, Indian Polity ,Prelims Why in news? The Finance bill was hurriedly passed in the Lok Sabha without the customary discussion or reply by the Union finance minister and duly returned by the Rajya Sabha as the country headed for a lockdown to fight the coronavirus crisis. What to expect from the Finance […]
‘CURFEW-LIKE’ RESTRICTIONS ENFORCED ACROSS STATE
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? Scaling up the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Karnataka government on 23rd March 2020, enforced “curfew-like” restrictions across the State from 24th March 2020, and will be in force till March 31 2020. Details All public and private transport including Uber, Ola and autos […]
LESSONS FROM ITALY FOR THE COVID-19-WRACKED WORLD
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? On March 20, Italy reported 5,900-odd fresh cases and 627 deaths, the highest daily tally of mortality reported from anywhere in the world. ‘Age’ Factor in Europe? Europe, after the tumult of two World Wars, had embarked on the road to recovery through mutual cooperation, exemplified by the […]
IIT-D TEAM DEVELOPS A CHEAPER COVID-19 TEST
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology here have developed a method to detect COVID-19 which can significantly reduce the test cost, making it affordable for large sections. The “probe-free detection assay” has been optimised and tested for sensitivity at the research laboratories of IIT. Other Details […]