New approach to speed up red blood cells generation in the lab
Context :
A team of researchers led by Dr. L. S. Limaye, ex-scientist at the Department of Biotechnology’s National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) at Pune have found a way to tackle the issue.
why in news :
They have found that the process can be speeded up by adding a very low concentrationof a small protein molecule called `transforming growth factor β1’ (TGF-β1), along with a hormone called `erythropoietin’ (EPO), to the growth medium. They could cut down the process time by three days.
Key Points :
- The process of generation of RBCs in the laboratory from HSCs can be speeded up by adding a very low concentration of a small protein molecule called `Transforming Growth Factor β1’ (TGF-β1), along with a hormone called `Erythropoietin’ (EPO). The whole process takes 18 days.
- Usually, the addition of only Erythropoietin (EPO) to HSCs generate RBCs in 21 days.
- Indian researchers have found that the addition of TGF-β1 with EPO has cut down the processing time by three days.
- The physical appearance and the quality of the cells formed has revealed that the RBCs formed using this procedure are normal.
Current Issue :
- The blood banks, particularly in developing countries, often face a severe shortage of whole blood as well as components of blood like red blood cells.
- Various groups have been able to produce RBCs in the laboratory from HSCs. However, the process takes a long time – around 21 days.
Parliament passed the “Vivad Se Vishwas Bill”
Context :
Parliament passed the Vivad Se Vishwas Bill for settlement of Direct Tax disputes on 13 March 2020. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha (the lower house) by the Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on 5 February 2020. Lok Sabha passed it on 4 March 2020.
Aim :
The Bill aims to extend the scope to cover litigation pending in various debt recovery tribunals (DRTs). It will provide an opportunity to settle direct tax disputes within the current financial year by waiving interest and penalty on their pending taxes.
Bill Provision :
- The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill provides a method for the resolution of pending tax disputes that are related to income tax and corporation tax that involve Rs.9.32 lakh crore.
- It also defines an appellant as the income tax authority, or the person, or both, whose appeal is pending before any appellate forum as on 31 January 2020.
- It will cover tax disputes pending at the level of commissioner (appeals), Income Tax Appellate Tribunals (ITAT), high courts (HCs), and the Supreme Court (SC).
- The taxpayers will take advantage of the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme to settle the tax disputes before 31 March 2020, as 10% more will be charged for settlement of disputes after that date.
- Also, arrears relate to disputed interest or penalty only, then 25% of disputed penalty or interest will be paid if the payment is made by 31 March 2020, beyond which the same shall be enhanced to 30%.
source : the hindu
Coronavirus | Masks, sanitisers declared essential commodities
Context :
Masks and hand sanitisers have been declared as essential commodities due to shortage in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Key Points :
- Under the EC Act, the States and Union Territories can ensure that manufacturers enhance their production capacity so that masks and hand sanitizers are widely available to consumers.
- The invocation of EC Act has empowered the Centre as well as states to regulate the production, quality, distributions of masks and hand sanitizers.
- It will also help to smoothen the sale and availability of the above items and carry out operations against speculators.
- The Consumer Affairs Ministry has also invoked the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 which would carry out action against those involved in overpricing and black marketing of the products.
Related acts :
- Essential Commodities Act, 1955: This Act intends to provide, in the interest of the general public, for the control of the production, supply and distribution of, and trade and commerce, in certain commodities.
- The Legal Metrology Act, 2009: It aims to establish and enforce standards of weights and measures, regulate trade and commerce in weights, measures and other goods which are sold or distributed by weight, measure or number and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Scheme for “Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products” (RoDTEP)
Context :
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the introduction of the Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP).
Why need this :
The Scheme will create a mechanism that will create for reimbursement of taxes/ duties/ levies at the central, state, and local levels. The Scheme will be in line with “Digital India.”
It aims to increase their productivity, boost exports, and contribute to the overall economy.
Provision :
- Currently, the reimbursement of taxes/ duties/ levies are not being refunded under any other mechanism, but which are incurred in the process of manufacture and distribution of exported products.
- The Scheme will boost the domestic industry and Indian exports providing a level playing field for Indian producers in the International market so that domestic taxes/duties are not exported.
- An inter-ministerial committee will determine the rates and items for which the reimbursement of taxes and duties would be provided.
- A refund under the Scheme will be in the form of transferable duty credit/electronic scrip that will be issued to the exporters, which will be maintained in an electronic ledger.
- The Scheme will be implemented with end to end digitization.
- The Scheme will be a step towards zero-rating of exports, along with refunds such as Drawback and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST).
- It is expected that the scheme would lead to the cost competitiveness of exported products in international markets and better employment opportunities in export-oriented manufacturing industries.
National Creche Scheme
Context :
National Creche Scheme (earlier named as Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme) is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme through States/UTs with effect from 1.1.2017 to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers.
National Creche Scheme :
The salient features of the National Creche Scheme are as follows:
- Daycare Facilities including Sleeping Facilities.
- Early Stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school Education for 3 to 6 years old children.
- Supplementary Nutrition ( to be locally sourced)
- Growth Monitoring
- Health Check-up and Immunization
Further, the guidelines provide that :
- Crèches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and half (7-1/2) hours per day.
- The number of children in the crèche should not be more than 25 per crèche with 01 Worker and 01 helper respectively.
- User charges to bring in an element of community ownership and collected as under:
- BPL families – Rs 20/- per child per month.
- Families with Income (Both Parents) of upto Rs. 12,000/- per month – Rs. 100/- per child per month
- Families with Income (Both Parents) of above Rs. 12,000/- per month – Rs. 200/- per child per month.