Heena Sharma Blog

  Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that more pharma companies should be allowed to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine in the country during the pandemic to scale up production. While addressing a meeting via video conferencing Gadkari said, "If the demand of vaccine is more than the supply, it creates the problem. So, instead of one company, let 10 more companies be given the license to manufacture the vaccine." "There are 2-3 laboratories in every state. They should be given the formula to produce the COVID-19 vaccines. They can give royalty," Gadkari said. "Let them supply in the country and later if there is surplus, they may export. It can be done in 15-20 days," he added. Currently, only two firms - Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India - are manufacturing COVID vaccines in the country and only three vaccines have so far been approved to be sold in India --- COVAXIN, COVESHIELD and Sputnik V. Read More

India has witnessed a sudden surge in its Covid-19 cases ever since the restrictions on movement have been partially lifted. In the last 24-hours, the country has reported 3,561 new cases and 89 deaths. While the total tally has breached 50,000-mark, standing at 52,952 cases, the daily death toll has also shot up, mounting to 1,783 deaths, so far. However, the daily testing capacity has also risen to fivefold, which is the only good news for now. It’s already May, and parts of the country hit 40 degrees Celsius a few days ago, making situations worse for people living in cramped quarters to stay indoors. Read More

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country are keeping a wary eye on the government's decision to allow select manufacturing units to reopen on April 20. While MSMEs in most sectors have welcomed the latest move, they argue that lack of financial support from the government might result in these firms not running even if they manage to reopen. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recommended focus primarily on increasing the financing available to MSMEs with relaxed collateral norms, an extension of the RBI moratorium and wage support. It also suggested expediting fund of funds for MSMEs which has been under the government's consideration and augmenting the assets of MUDRA Bank. Read More

Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari fainted and collapsed during a function in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, on Friday. The incident occurred when he was standing with other dignitaries for the National Anthem at the convocation function of the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) Agricultural University. Gadkari started feeling uneasy, lost his balance and collapsed on the dais. Maharashtra Governor C V Rao and some others rushed to prevent him from falling.   He was examined by a team of medicos and his condition was described as "stable" by Bharatiya Janata Party colleagues. Read More Business Standard

The event was organized by the ministry for spreading awareness about road safety for which Kumar was roped in for promotion campaign in February this year Current Affairs News : Pressing on the often-repeated phrase on the roads “ Sadak kya tere baap ki hain ” filmstar and road safety brand ambassador Akshay Kumar kick-started his awareness campaign for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways . Kumar, who is known for his daredevil stunts, said the subject of road safety was close to his heart and therefore he was lending support to the cause as a citizen. “I am promoting this cause as Brand India and not Brand Akshay Kumar.” The event was organized by the ministry for spreading awareness about road safety for which Kumar was roped in for promotion campaign in February this year. Kumar, along with filmmaker R Balkhasve shot three videos with an underlying message on road safety, which is sent in a light-hearted way to the viewer. “I feel that often such ...

The present government has doubled that length to 180,000 km Current Affairs News : Banks have assured funding to the tune of Rs 1.30 trillion for highways construction, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. He said 403 projects worth Rs 3.85 trillion were stalled during the UPA regime. The present NDA government, after assuming power in May 2014, has put on track Rs 3 trillion worth stalled projects. Gadkari said he has held meetings with banks, RBI Governor and Union Finance Minister regarding funding to the road sector. "Banks have informed me in writing that they are ready to give Rs 1.30 trillion for funding of highway projects built in EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction) mode," Gadkari said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. He said till May 2014 the length of National Highways in the country was 91,000 km, which was insufficient to support growing number of vehicles as auto industry has recorded an an...