20th Feb 2021, subsidy, AtmaNirbhar Bharat, COVID Vaccinations, Vaccine rumours, farmers protest, intelligence failure

20 February 2021

• Government releases 1252 billion Rupees in food subsidy

  The government has released 1252 billion Rupees in food subsidy and  2971 billion Rupees have been earmarked for food subsidy later this year. This will serve in keeping the value of items at mandis in check. Government is making most of the payments via E-mode, hence maintaining a level of transparency in how the government is spending money. E-mode is also being used to make MSP payments.

• Shri Rameswar Teli invites all Indians to work towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat

  Shri Rameswar Teli, Minister of State for Ministry of Food Processing Industries, said that the government was fully committed towards growth of food processing industry. The industry has a combined output worth $160 billion which the government wants to increase multifold. Despite the Corona Pandemic government has approved 134 new food processing projects across India.

• Dr Harsh Vardhan acknowledges the work of healthcare and frontline workers during pandemic

  Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare said the efforts of the  healthcare and frontline workers has guarded the country against the Corona Pandemic. And now its time for these workers to guard themselves by accepting vaccines. The vaccines are being given to these workers on priority and the minister has requested that all of these workers must get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible, since the chances of getting the infection are highest for them.

• Government warns public about false COVID Vaccine rumours

  Government has said that misinformation is spreading following the COVID vaccinations, that the vaccines affect fertility, alcohol consumption following vaccination is dangerous and so on. Government has asked the general public to avoid these rumours as negative messages and so far no such issues have been reported after the vaccination of more than 1 crore Indians.

• Gherao Police if they come to arrest you, Agitating farmers leader

  The agitating farmer's leaders have told their followers that if the police comes to arrest them, they must not give in easily and show their strength in numbers by Gheraoing them.

• Delhi police denies intelligence failure on Republic day

  Delhi police has denied "intelligence failure" on Republic day even though they were not able to predict and contain the violence that took place. Delhi police has been making every effort to identify and arrest the protesters who took part in this violence.

• Vice President tells the nation to eat healthy and live healthy

  The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu tells the nation to eat healthy and live healthy. Unhealthy eating habits cause non-communicable diseases (NCD) which are responsible for 61% of total deaths in India. Vice President stressed the need to promote organic farming, following traditional food habits and consume nutrient rich food. He commented “instant food means constant disease”.

• Need to work on Quality Standards, says Minister for Food & Public Distribution

  Shri Piyush Goyal Minister for Railways and Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has asked to complete the Mission "One India On Standard". We should have world class Quality standard institutions and no one should need to apply abroad to study about Quality standards. He said India should settle for nothing but the best.

• More beneficiaries to be brought under coverage of NFSA

  Secretary (Food), Department of Food &Public Distribution, Government of India, Shri Sudhanshu Pandey said more beneficiaries should be brought under coverage of NFSA (National Food Security Act)in Gujarat. 30 Lakh farmers in Gujarat have already been listed as beneficiaries under NFSA.

• Detention of climate activist Disha Ravi extended

  Detention of climate activist Disha Ravi has been extended by a Delhi Court. She has been charged under sedition for sharing a protest "toolkit" online.