Shownotes Transcript
The economy of Assam is progressing in the positive direction, stressed State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while taking part in the general discussion on Budget 2020-21 in the Assam Assembly. The Finance Minister had placed the Budget in the House on March 6. Since Saturday, 22 legislators have participated in the Budget discussions.
To prevent spread of coronavirus , all schools in Manipur will be shut until March 31.“In order to ensure reduction of mass gatherings and to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and as a precautionary measure, the Governor of Manipur is pleased to order that all schools, including private ones, located within Manipur shall remain closed with immediate effect till March 31, 2020 in public interest,” a notification issued by Commissioner (Education-Schools) T Ranjit Singh stated.“However, all kinds of examination already scheduled (both theory and practical) conducted by Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM) and Council of Higher Secondary Schools (COHSEM) will not be affected,” the order copy issued by Governor of Manipur Najma Heptulla reads.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for SAARC Nations to come together and fight coronavirus. He tweeted, “I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.” SAARC stand for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and comprises of eight member States: Afghanistan; Bangladesh; Bhutan; India; Maldives; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka.
Indian Namaste becomes the new form of greeting among world leaders amid coronavirus scare. US President Donald Trump and Leo A. Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Ireland greeted each other with a Namaste at the White House in Washington on March 12. The heads of the countries demonstrated the Namaste greeting after reporters asked them how did they greet each other. A video of Prince Charles greeting people with “Namaste” during Prince’s Trust Awards in London had gone viral on social media.
Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered for the immediate release of National Conference (NC) party president Farooq Abdullah from detention. Abdullah is one of the several politicians, including his son and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, who have been detained since August 5, 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370 which conferred a special status on the former State.
Peter Dutton, Australian Minister for Home Affairs and Federal Member for Dickson tested positive for coronavirus. He was in the US to attend a meeting with members of five eyes intelligence alliance — Australia, the United States, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand. Dutton had attended a cabinet meeting and had come in contact with other minister on Tuesday.New Zealand Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin — who also met Dutton in Washington will self-isolate and then get tested for the virus. It was also reported that, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of PM of Canada Justin Trudeau has tested positive for coronavirus. Her husband, PM of Canada Justin Trudeau, has also isolated himself for 14 days. The PM has not shown any signs of the infection yet, according to reports.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday made an announcement to hike Dearness Allowance by 4 % (from 17 % to 21 %). The raise which will be effective from January 1, 2020 will benefit 4.8 million govt employees, 6.5 million pensioners.A sum of Rs 14,595 crore as additional expense will be incurred due to this hike.