# Electoral bond

• Supreme court agreed to hear a plea by NGO Association for democratic reforms to study the sale of a new set of electoral bonds on April 1.

• The petitioner argued that electoral bonds had become an avenue for shell corporations and entities to park illicit money and even proceeds of bribes with political parties.

• The petitioner argued that the RBI and election commission has already stated that electoral bonds are detrimental to democracy.

# Road transport and highways ministry

• Nitin gadkari said that India will implement a GPS based toll collection system and do away with all toll booths within a year.

• He also stated that after implementation of vehicle scrappage policy, India will see a jump in turnover to 10 lakh crore rupees from 4.5 lakh crore rupees.

• He also expressed concerns on road accident deaths which is more as compared to covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

# Damages recovery bill

• Haryana assembly passes “Haryana recovery of damages to property during disturbance to public order bill 2021.

• Under this bill, there is a provision to constitute tribunals to determine the liability of damages during rioting and protests.

• Opposition members opposed the bill claiming that it violates the right to peaceful protests of citizens.

# Astrazeneca vaccine

• The european union’s drug watchdog has cleared the astrazeneca vaccine after the reports of serious blood clotting incidents reported in europe.

• The drug watchdog stated that the blood clotting may be due to the rare condition that is difficult to treat.

# Vaccine export

• Serum institute of India CEO adar poonawala stated that vaccine export to UK depends on Indian government clearance.

• As the number of covid-19 infections are increasing rapidly in some states, Indian government may halt vaccine exports.

• Serum Institute has already exported 5 million doses to UK and another 5 million doses are ready to be exported.