# Unauthorised colonies

• The Rajya sabha on tuesday passed the national capital territory of Delhi laws (special provisions) second amendment bill, 2021.

• This bill extends protection from punitive action to certain kinds of unauthorised construction by three years in national capital region.

• The bill replaced an ordinance brought by the government in December 2020.

# “Sniff out” covid-19

• Two dogs of the army has been trained to screen samples and detect covid-19 among soldiers posted to front area of North command.

• The two are “specialist” military dogs, casper a two year old male dog cocker spaniel and Jaya an one year old female chippiparas.

• They are the first two cannines trained to detect covid-19 cases from sweat and urine samples.

• Although they are not medically accepted, but it has been found experimentally that these dogs are 98% accurate in their detection of covid-19.

# APMCs

• The odhisha government has proposed to set up and operate private market yards and farmer consumer market yards to enhance competition among different markets and market players for agriculture produce.

• The state cabinet on tuesday approved repromulgation of agriculture produce and livestock marketing (promotion and facilitation) for the third time.

• The ordinance proposes to abolish fragmentation of market within the state by removing the concept of notified market area so far as enforcement of regulation by the agricultural produce and livestock market committee (APMC) is concerned.

# New marigold variety

• Generally flowers lose their value if they get spoilt either due to rain or delay in harvest.

• But the new variety of marigold developed by the Hessarghatta based Indian institute of horticulture research (IIHR) will fetch money even if they get spoilt.

• This variety of marigold can be used for extraction of “crude carotene”, which is mainly used in the pharmaceutical sector.

• All marigolds have a carotene content of upto 1.41%. However, the Arka shubha variety of marigold has a carotene content of 2.8%, which is the highest content from a plant source.

# Indian made app koo

• Union ministers and government departments are setting up accounts on “Koo”.

• “KOO” is an made in India alternative for twitter.

• “KOO” was among the winners of the atmanirbhar app innovation challenge.

• This migration from twitter to koo has come amidst a tussle between government and twitter regarding blocking of accounts related to farmers protest.