Steps to save exchange
The question of “import substitution” and the role of the private sector industries in the present acute foreign exchange situation were discussed at a meeting between the Planning Commission and the representatives of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on August 20. It was emphasised by the Planning Commission that the licensing policy was very much orientated in favour of establishing capacity in industries which directly save foreign exchange. Stress was also laid on stepping up capacity for machine building so that import of capital goods could be reduced within a certain period.
Test ban pact
India proposed to the 17-nation Disarmament Conference in Geneva on August 20 that the Soviet and American Co-Chairmen alone should now try to thrash out a nuclear test ban agreement. Mr. Arthur Lall, the Indian delegate, proposed that there should be no more meetings for the time being, of the three Power Sub-Committee, which also includes Britain, dealing with the test ban issue within the conference.
Snakes in Raj Bhavan
Snakes in the Raj Bhavan Estate in Madras, have become a menace now, a spokesman of the Governor’s household, said on August 20. A snake charmer, who has been specially appointed to catch the snakes, succeeds in killing about 50 snakes a month, but the snakes appear to be multiplying at a faster rate, the spokesman said. Another problem confronting them is the shortage of grass in the 200-acre estate for the rapidly multiplying deer population. There are at present over 2,000 deer in the park.
Surgical masks discarded
Doctors at an Australian hospital have discarded their surgical masks. The revolutionary medical move has been made in an effort to stop the spread of infection, although this was the very reason that doctors adopted the practice of wearing masks many years ago, after a survey of operations with and without masks showed that the rate of wound infection in non-mask operations was no greater, and, slightly less when masks were worn by doctors.
