26-05-21 Daily -Goa- GPSC Current Affairs

In an attempt to encourage Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) to address the demand for critical goods and Services required to tackle the second wave of Covid-19, Small Industries of India (SIDBI) is offering low-cost funding to units that manufacture Oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oximeters and essential drugs.
Understanding the urgency of the situation, SIDBI has offered to sanction credit within 48 hours to such firms which can help Goa and the nation augment capabilities to fight the pandemic.

SIDBI is offering 100% funding up to an amount of Rs 2 crore to a MSME unit at attractive interest rate of 4.5-6% per annum if the firms meet all the criteria.

While Goa has four medical and industrial oxygen suppliers, it has to depend on neighbouring states for oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oximeters and other essential equipment.
SIDBI, the principal financial institution for financing and development of MSMEs, has launched the SHWAS and AROG quick credit schemes and hopes that the term loans and WORKING CAPITAL funds will help MSMEs speed up the production of oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oximeters and essential drugs.

The government has set up a panel of state ministers for better valuation of Services ofcasinos,online gamingportal and race courses for levying goods and services tax (GST).

The seven-member panel, convened by Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, will also examine whether any change is required in the legal provision for better means of valuation of these services.

It will also examine the administration of such valuation provisions and if an alternative means of valuation is recommended.

The panel would also look into the impact of such valuation on other similarly placed services like lottery.

The Ministry of Power has decided to establish a National Mission to promote the use of in coal-fired thermal power Plants.

Increase the level of co-firing from the current 5% to higher levels in order to have a greater share of carbon neutral power generation from thermal power plants.

Conduct R&D in boiler design to handle the higher levels of silica and alkalis in biomass pellets.

To make it easier to overcome constraints in the supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue, as well as their transport to power plants.

Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, a 1985 batchIPSofficer serving as CISF DG, on Wednesday took charge as theCBIdirector.

TheCentral Bureau of Investigationwas working without a regular chief for over three months afterRishi Kumar Shuklacompleted his two-year tenure on February 3.

Jaiswal, ex-Maharashtra DGP and former Mumbai top cop, was the seniormost officer in the panel.