India
There’s no link between deaths and Covid vaccination in India: NAEFI panel
The National Adverse Event Following Immunisation (NAEFI) committee has not found any link between the deaths and vaccination in the cases that it has investigated so far. Out of 39 total deaths, the NAEFI has reviewed 12 cases and has found that the deaths were “unrelated” with no link to the vaccine.
Vijay Sampla is new Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes
BJP leader Vijay Sampla took over as Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on February 24, 2021. Sampla has been the former Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in 2014-19.
Union Cabinet approves a proposal to impose President’s Rule in Puducherry
The Union Cabinet on February 24, 2021 approved a proposal to impose President’s Rule in Puducherry, days after a Congress-led government in the union territory lost power during a vote of confidence. Announcing the Cabinet decision, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters that the decision was taken as no party claimed to form a government in Puducherry following the resignation of the chief minister there.
Prakash Javadekar uses Sanskrit for first time at UNSC on climate change
Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on February 23, 2021 used Sanskrit for the first time in United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Debate on climate change. The Union Minister stated that India is the only country on track among the G20 nations to meet its climate change mitigation commitments.
Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill passed
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on February 23, 2021 passed by voice vote a bill aimed at curbing religious conversions by fraudulent or any other undue means, including through marriage. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2021 seeks to replace the ordinance promulgated in November 2020 that provides for imprisonment up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 for violators. Under the bill, a marriage will be declared “null and void” if the conversion is solely for that purpose, and those wishing to change their religion after marriage need to apply to the district magistrate.
Economy & Corporate
Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for pharmaceuticals
The Union Cabinet approved Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals, and said the move will bring investments of ₹15,000 crore into the sector. The PLI scheme for pharma is expected to promote the production of high-value products in the country and increase the value addition in exports.
Cabinet approves Production Linked Incentive Scheme for IT Hardware
The Union Cabinet approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for IT Hardware. The scheme proposes production linked incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the value chain of IT Hardware. The Target Segments under the proposed Scheme include Laptops, Tablets, All-in-One PCs and Servers. The total cost of the proposed scheme is approximately Rs.7,350 crore over 4 years, which includes an incentive outlay of Rs.7,325 crore and administrative charges of Rs.25 crore.
Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry launches National Urban Digital Mission
The Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry on February 23, 2021 launched the National Urban Digital Mission, which was aimed at creating a shared digital infrastructure for cities. The Ministry also launched the India Urban Data Exchange, which was developed by the Smart Cities Mission and the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. The open-source platform would allow data providers and users to share and access datasets regarding cities.
Fino Payments Bank elevated to the status of scheduled commercial bank by RBI
Fino Payments Bank on February 24, 2021 said it will be able to improve its business prospects further as the RBI has included it in the category of a scheduled commercial bank. The Reserve Bank on February 23 said it has included Fino Payments Bank in the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
World
Indian among 12 winners of US International Anti-Corruption Champions Award
Anjali Bharadwaj, an Indian social activist working on issues of transparency and accountability, is one of the 12 “courageous” individuals named by the Biden administration for the newly-instituted International Anti-Corruption Champions Award. Bharadwaj (48) is the founder of the Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) and is also a convener of the National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information.
Ghana becomes first country to get free Covid vaccines through COVAX scheme
Ghana became the first country on February 24, 2021 to receive a batch of free anti-coronavirus vaccine doses through the COVAX initiative, a vaccine-sharing scheme behind the inoculation drive in poorer countries. The World Health Organization (WHO), which leads COVAX together with Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, said the shipment of 600,000 AstraZeneca doses was the first step in immunizing the West African nation of 30 million.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield appointed US ambassador to the United Nations
The Senate has confirmed President Joe Biden’s choice to lead US diplomacy at the United Nations. Linda Thomas-Greenfield will serve as the United States ambassador to the United Nations. Senators voted 78-20 to confirm Thomas-Greenfield to the post, which will be a Cabinet-level position.
Sports
Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad renamed as Narendra Modi stadium
President Ram Nath Kovind on February 24, 2021 inaugurated the world’s largest cricket stadium that will have seating capacity of 1.32 lakh spectators in Ahmedabad, the refurbished Sardar Patel Stadium, which will now be known as Narendra Modi stadium. The President also performed the ground-breaking ceremony for a sports complex in the stadium, to be named Sardar Patel sports complex, for disciplines like football, hockey, basketball, kabbadi, boxing, and lawn tennis among others.
