Govt mulls separate department for logistics

The commerce ministry has proposed the creation of a separate department for trade facilitation and logistics for better coordination among different government units. Currently, there is no single department to look at all the aspects related to logistics covering various modes of shipment such as sea, roads and railways. At present, a logistics division is functioning under the commerce department and headed by a special secretary-level officer. Logistics is a key component for increasing competitiveness of exporters and domestic traders by reducing transport cost and time, and expediting smooth movement of goods. In January, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister had suggested setting up a separate logistics department to improve ease of doing business.

Draft compendium of export policy unveiled

The commerce ministry has come out with a comprehensive draft of the export policy that includes product-specific rules with a view to provide a ready reckoner for exporters. The draft policy aims at consolidating the export norms for each product as applicable at different government agencies. ITC-HS codes are Indian Trade Clarification based on Harmonised System of Coding. It was adopted by India for import-export operations. Every product has been accorded eight-digit HS codes. The compendium will help an exporter know all the applicable norms pertaining to a particular product, helping him/her understand policy conditions for that item. Exporters body Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said that it would provide a “ready reckoner” for traders and help in digitisation.

IAF chief leads ‘missing man’ formation

Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa flew the ‘missing man’ formation in a MiG-21 aircraft to pay tributes to Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja and other fallen heroes of the Kargil war. The formation is an aerial salute accorded to honour fallen comrades-in-arms. It is an arrow formation with a gap between two aircraft in the formation depicting the missing man. The IAF chief led a four-aircraft ‘missing man’ formation flypast to honour the valour and supreme sacrifice of men killed in action during Operation Safed Sagar in Kargil. Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja had laid down his life during the Kargil conflict. He was at that time the Flight Commander of 17 Squadron and was awarded the Vir Chakra posthumously for his valour during the conflict which took place 20 years ago.

61 securitymen killed in J&K in 4 months

Sixty-one security personnel and 11 civilians were killed while 142 people were injured in 177 terror-related incidents in Jammu & Kashmir in the first four months of 2019, the home ministry has said. The injured included 73 security personnel and 69 civilians. Earlier, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said 86 terrorists have been killed this year in the state. “During this year, we have neutralised 86 terrorists so far. Twenty terrorists were also apprehended,” he said. He also said 450 terrorists were operating in the state and the terror infrastructure across the LoC was intact with the full support of Pakistan as 16 terrorist camps were operating in the neighbouring country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Security, NRC to be govt’s focus areas

Zero tolerance towards terrorism and checking illegal immigration will be the focus areas of the NDA government, which may take tough actions such as implementing the National Register of Citizens across the country and annulling Article 35A in Jammu & Kashmir. Narendra Modi’s “decisive leadership” has “fundamentally altered” the national security paradigm of India in the past five years and his government will look at a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism, according to the BJP manifesto Sankalp Patra. “Our security doctrine will be guided by our national security interest. This is exemplified by the surgical strikes and the air strikes carried out recently. We will firmly continue our policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism and will continue to follow our policy of giving a free hand to our security forces in combating terrorism,” it said.

A 100-day action plan to boost exports

The commerce ministry is considering a major export promotion scheme to ensure expeditious refund of central and state taxes and levies to boost shipments in the wake of global challenges on the trade front. The proposal is part of a 100-day action plan prepared by the ministry for the new government, which will take office on May 30. A new export promotion scheme has become necessary as the existing merchandise exports for India scheme is being opposed by the US at the WTO, stating it is not in compliance with global trade norms. The new scheme could be named as Central and State Taxes and Levies Scheme. According to the proposal, the new scheme would ensure refund of all un-rebated central and state levies and taxes imposed on inputs that are consumed in exports of all sectors.

Israelis face possible election rerun

Israelis faced the growing possibility of a new national poll despite a general election last month, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition talks remain deadlocked ahead of a looming deadline. Netanyahu, who risks a major setback if he fails to reach an agreement before the May 29 deadline, said it was still possible a deal could be brokered to avoid “unnecessary” elections. Former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman has prevented a deal by refusing to budge from a key demand. Lieberman said he had already made concessions and was not prepared to go further. He is seeking a guarantee that legislation he supports aimed at having ultra-Orthodox Jews perform mandatory military service like other Jewish Israelis be approved without changes. His party controls five seats in parliament and Netanyahu needs his support for the coalition he is seeking.

Compound that kills superbugs discovered

Scientists have discovered a novel compound which visualises and kills antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria that cause infections such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections, a finding that may help combat the rapidly emerging global threat of superbugs. The team, led by Jim Thomas from the University of Sheffield in the UK, is testing new compounds on antibiotic resistant gram-negative bacteria, including pathogenic E coli. The research, published in the journal ACS Nano, describes the compound which kills gram-negative E coli, including a multidrug resistant pathogen said to be responsible for millions of antibiotic resistant infections worldwide annually. Gram-negative bacteria strains can cause infections including pneumonia, urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections.