Jute's Fashionable Comeback

Good Morning ☕

Step aside, plastic bags! The jute revolution is here to wrap things up in style. The Indian government is giving a big green thumbs-up to jute, with an extended mandate for mandatory packaging norms. Get ready for a grainy makeover as jute bags strut their stuff, encasing all food grains and sweetening the deal with 20% of sugar. This isn't just a fashion statement; it's a job creator, with a whopping 370,000 positions blooming in the jute sector. It's all part of the Cabinet's grand plan for Jute Year 2022-23. 🌾👜🌟

Important News of the Day

1. Food ministry to seek jute bag exemption for sugar packaging

The Indian government has approved the extension of mandatory packaging norms for jute bags for all food grains and 20% of sugar. The extension will provide direct jobs for 370,000 workers in the jute sector. The mandatory norms provide for full reservation for packaging of food grains and 20% reservation for packaging of sugar in jute bags. The Cabinet has approved the extension of the norms for Jute Year 2022-23. The move is expected to boost the jute industry and promote the use of eco-friendly jute bags for packaging.

2. Covid era-like containment zones back in Kozhikode district

In the wake of the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, nine panchayats in Kozhikode district have turned into containment zones, reminiscent of the Covid-19 era. These containment zones are similar to the ones implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, with key entry and exit routes barricaded to restrict movement. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has sent antibodies to help combat the virus. The total number of Nipah virus cases in Kerala has now reached six. Asha (accredited social health activist) workers are conducting daily medical check-ups, monitoring people, and collecting data in the affected areas. The panchayats are also holding daily meetings and coordinating with the police, as well as officials from the state's animal husbandry and health departments.

3. Govt moves HC against order in RIL gas dispute

The Indian government has filed a petition challenging a Delhi high court order in favor of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) regarding a gas dispute in the Krishna Godavari Basin. The dispute relates to the KG-D6 gas block arbitration case. A division bench of the Delhi high court has agreed to hear the matter on February 12.

4. Rajasthan: Petrol pumps start indefinite strike against high VAT

Petrol pumps in Rajasthan, except for privately owned ones, have started an indefinite strike on Friday, demanding a reduction in Value-Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel. The Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers' Association (RPDYA) has called the strike, citing the state's high VAT on fuel as compared to neighboring states. Over 6300 petrol pumps in Rajasthan remained closed on Wednesday as part of a strike called by operators against high taxes. Last month, petrol pump owners in Delhi held a protest demanding the removal of value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel and revising their margins on sales.

5. India bets on latest reforms for higher rank in logistics

India aims to improve its ranking in logistics performance to break into the top 25 by 2030. The government is set to brief the World Bank about recent reforms and measures taken to improve logistics efficiency through schemes such as PM Gati Shakti. The national logistics policy has fixed a target to take up India's ranking in the top 25 by 2030. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is in talks with the World Bank to include PM GatiShakti and ULIP in the calculations for the Logistics Performance Index (LPI).

6. India, Russia explore new maritime corridors to unlock trade potential

India and Russia are collaborating to develop new maritime corridors, aiming to unlock trade potential and strengthen their economic ties. The two countries have agreed to establish an Eastern Maritime Corridor between Vladivostok and Chennai, which will serve as an alternative trade route. Additionally, they are exploring the use of the Northern Sea Route for logistics and trade, considering its potential for transporting commodities such as coking coal, oil, and liquefied natural gas.

7. MP govt to provide LPG cylinders at ₹450 ahead of state assembly elections

The Madhya Pradesh government has announced that it will provide LPG gas cylinders to Ujjwala Yojana and Ladli Behna Yojana beneficiaries for Rs 450, which is a subsidized rate. The state government will bear the remaining cost of the gas cylinders from September 1. This move comes ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.

8. ‘IMEC likely to have far reaching global economic implications' Amitabh Kant

India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) during the G20 summit held in New Delhi. The IMEC is seen as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and is likely to have far-reaching global economic implications. The eight IMEC signatories account for about half of the world's economy and 40% of global trade. The new economic corridor is expected to reshape global trading routes.

World News 🌎

• Joe Biden's son hit with gun charges for buying firearms while on drugs

• London's India Club to bid farewell after over seven decades of serving curry

• To cut reliance on China, Russia turns to India for aluminium feedstock

• Cruise ship stuck in Greenland with over 200 passengers, police launches probe

• BP's Bernard Looney resigns over past relationships with colleagues

• Jaipur Literary Festival to return to Houston on 15 Sept

• China asks big banks to stagger and adjust dollar purchases: Report

• Ukraine softens tone, acknowledges 'global roles' of India, China

• Kim Jong Un-Vladimir Putin meeting over

• Hurricane Lee: Extreme weather crisis in US hits hard

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