World Environment Day 2021: India to promote increased ethanol blending

On June 4th, the eve of World Environment Day, the union government announced the launch of the country’s roadmap for ethanol blending, with PM Narendra Modi releasing the ‘Report of the Expert Committee on Road Map for ethanol blending in India 2020-2025’. The government issued the E-20 notification directing oil companies to sell ethanol blended petrol from April 1st, 2023. Ethanol quantity will now be 20% as per the notification. In this regard, PM Modi will be inaugurating three ethanol stations in Pune. The objective is to cut down on oil imports and promote use of ethanol,

Source: Hindustan Times

Union govt books 30 cr doses of new vaccine

In a move to bolster the country’s COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Indian government has signed a deal with another Indian based vaccine manufacturer, Hyderabad-based Biological-E, for 30 cr doses. The company has been paid an advance of Rs 1500 crore to manufacture and stockpile the vaccine from August to December 2021. The Biological-E vaccine is currently undergoing phase III clinical trials. The company expects to make the vaccine available in the next few months.

Source: The Hindu

Read more: With close to 50000 active cases, why is Chennai unable to ramp up vaccination?

Delhi prisons to get decongested, prisoners released on emergency parole

In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, Delhi prison authorities have decided to decongest three prisons, including Tihar jail. The guidelines for release of inmates on emergency parole were laid down by a high-powered committee on May 4 and 11. The Supreme Court had, on March 16th, 2020, taken cognizance of the issue of overcrowding in Indian jails on its own and noted that it is extremely difficult to observe social distancing under such circumstances. Post this, it instructed all the states and UTs to constitute high powered committees to monitor the situation.

Source: The Indian Express

Delhi govt to set up panel to examine deaths due to lack of oxygen

Delhi’s Deputy CM Manish Sisodia announced that the Delhi government has asked for the LG’s approval to form an expert panel for examining the deaths caused due to lack of oxygen. Sisodia also informed that the state government plans to provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh to families who lost their loved ones due to oxygen shortage, as decided by the expert panel. The committee comprises six medical experts from various hospitals and government institutes. 

Source: The Indian Express

Read more: Delhi patients search for COVID beds in smaller towns

Patna Municipal Corporation gets ready for the monsoon season

PMC is gearing up to prepare the city for the upcoming monsoon season. The corporation has identified 12 zones in the city that are vulnerable to water logging and is presently cleaning the drains and connecting these vulnerable zones to pumping stations. The corporation also claims that the flood water will be pumped out within six to seven hours after rainfall has stopped. The PMC is finalising a master plan to improve drainage to prevent water logging.

Source: The Times of India

Oxygen demand comes down in Gurugram

As per Gurugram Municipal Corporation, the demand for oxygen has dropped significantly in recent days. The municipal body had launched a portal in May to streamline requests for oxygen and had started home delivery of oxygen in the district. As per data available on the portal, the demand for oxygen has dropped by almost 50%. The number of active cases in Gurugram have also come down to 953, out of which 829 patients are under home isolation. The corporation, which deployed one team for this in each of its four zones, provides two types of oxygen cylinders and charges a delivery fee of Rs 100.

Source: The Times of India

Also read

• Chennai Buzz: Decline in containment zones | Nine lions test COVID positive | Civic body to loan oximeters…and more
• Mumbai buzz | Children suffer post-COVID complications | BMC dump hazardous waste in mangroves
• Bengaluru Buzz: Lockdown till 14th | II PUC exams cancelled | Property tax discount extension … and more

[Compiled by Rishabh Shrivastava]