10 June, 2021
1. Central government has asked states and union territories to include UDID (Unique Disability Identification) card as identity proof while registering on Co-WIN 2.0 platform. It will ensure a smooth and effective Covid-19 vaccination drive. UDID was allowed with the aim of helping disabled persons to access Covid-19 vaccination. Earlier, as per guidelines for Co-WIN 2.0, seven prescribed Photo IDs were specified and prescribed for verification of beneficiaries for vaccination.
2. Airbnb, EaseMyTrip, OYO and Yatra have established a new industry association called “Confederation of Hospitality, Technology & Tourism Industry (CHATT)”. CHATT will help small companies and travel & hospitality technology players. It will promote domestic tourism and help in digital transformation of domestic tourism. It will act as a thought leader to run training programmes. Every member will have the access to CHATT resources and benefits. It provides for participation in year-round programmes, access to travel-tech ecosystem, signature business events, inclusion of experts & regional leads among others.
3. India and Thailand started 31st edition of Coordinated Patrols or CORPAT, with the aim of reinforcing maritime links between two countries and to keep Indian Ocean safe and secure for international trade. This is the first biannual exercise in which Saryu, an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel called Saryu from Indian Navy and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Krabi along with Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies are participating. CORPAT biannual exercise builds up understanding and interoperability between both the navies. It facilitates institution of measures to prevent & suppress unlawful activities such as Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, maritime terrorism, drug trafficking, armed robbery and piracy.
4. Union Cabinet approved an increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Kharif crops for 2021-22, to increase farmers’ income. Centre has increased MSP for paddy by Rs It now stands at to Rs 1,940 per quintal for 2021-22 crop. Highest absolute increase in MSP over previous year has been recommended for sesamum, followed by tur and urad. MSP on groundnut and niger seed was increased by Rs 275 per quintal and Rs 235 per quintal, respectively. Differential remuneration was fixed with the aim of encouraging crop diversification.
5. Two species of monals were sighted together by local wildlife enthusiasts in upper Siang district of central Arunachal Pradesh. Monals is a colour pheasant. One discovered species is While Himalayan monal also called as Lophophorus impejanus. It is widely distributed from Afghanistan to northeast India While, other is Sclater’s monal which is also called as Lophophorus sclateri. It is found in southern China and northern Myanmar. It is listed as vulnerable by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature). It was sighted near Komji Lipik at 2,850 metres. Monal bird belongs to genus Lophophorus of pheasant family called Phasianidae.
