- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam on Feb 1, Saturday tabled the Union Budget for 2020-2021. This Budget session has seen some important schemes for the North East being announced by the Finance Minister. Some key highlights are as follows:
- 5 archaeological sites including Shivsagar in Assam will be developed as iconic sites with on-site museums
- National Gas Grid to be expanded from 16,200 km to 27,000 km
- Krishi UDAN for improving the value realization in North East and tribal districts
- Major tax relief announced for individuals:
- Income between Rs. 5-7.5 lakh – Tax rate 10%
- Income between Rs. 7.5-10 lakh – Tax rate 15%
- Income between Rs 10-12.5 lakh – Tax rate brought down to 20% from 30%
- Govt. proposes to sell part of its holding in Life Insurance Corporation by way of Initial Public Offering announced Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam on February 1, Saturday while presenting Union Budget for 2020-2021 at the Parliament. Sitharam did not elaborate much on the proposal. She also proposed that the government will sell its stake in IDBI Bank to private investors.
- Sivasagar district administration recently launched ‘Project Puhor’. The project is launched under its flagship programme Mission Soulful Sivasagar. Under the project, the district administration endeavours to light up the Sivasagar town and its adjoining areas by installing standalone solar LED lights. The project has been launched under the stewardship of Sivasagar deputy commissioner Dr MS Lakshmi Priya.
- The second Air India special flight to evacuate Indians from Wuhan has left Delhi this afternoon. The first special flight with 324 Indians landed in Delhi earlier today. The passengers returning from Wuhan will be put up at a separate facility in Haryana’s Manesar set up by the Indian Army. At the facility, people will be put under observation. A qualified team of doctors and staff members will monitor the situation. Meanwhile, the death tally in China has risen to 258.
- Dr Thanikasalam Veni of Rathna Siddha Hospital in Chennai claimed that a certain herbal medicine if taken between 24-40 hours of infection can cure coronavirus. “When we treated the dengue virus with our medicine, many patients with reduced platelets count, acute liver failure, immunity deficiency and low white blood cell (WBC) were cured within 24-40 hours,” said Veni. “In coronavirus too I am confident our medicine will be very effective,” he told media organisations. Dr Veni has 25 years of experience in the field of Siddha and Ayurvedic medicines said that he is willing to help the Chine government or other authorities who need his support.
- Fugitive billionaire Nirav Modi, who is wanted by Indian authorities in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam appeared before a UK court on Thursday through videolink from his London prison and was further remanded in custody till February 27.
- Chakrapani Maharaj, President of Hindu Mahasabha told media that cow urine can cow dung can be used to treat coronavirus. A special yagna ritual will soon be performed to kill coronavirus," said Chakrapani. Chakrapani also said that he will carry out a special yagna to kill the virus and: end its effects on the world."
