Current Affairs Today 14th May 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 13th May 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Special economic and comprehensive package of Rs.20 lakh crores on 13 May 2020, equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP, for relief and credit support related to businesses, especially Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to support Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
2. National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), under the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, procured pulses and oilseeds amid lockdown.
3. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) canteens and stores across the country will sell only indigenous products, from 1 June 2020.
4. The Ministry of AYUSH and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have partnered to validate four Ayush formulations against COVID-19.
5. In continuation to PM Modi’s announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore boost to the economy, the Finance Minister of India, Smt.
6. A musical creation titled “United we Fight” has been unveiled by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
7. The Indian Railways has made the Aarogya Setu app mandatory for the passengers to travel by train.
8. Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) trust has allocated Rs.3,100 crore for fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
9. The apex health research body, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), issued guidance on rapid antibody test kits for COVID-19 and also listed the manufacturers on 14 May.
10. Infosys has been selected by GLOBALFOUNDRIES,the world’s leading specialty foundry, as its partner for the company’s Digital Transformation program.
11. Bhagalpur Smart City Limited (BSCL) has taken several measures to combat COVID-19 using various initiatives.
12. The Central Government has set up a new body – Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF), under the aegis of the Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Promotion Development Authority (Apeda) to promote rice export.
13. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has launched a portal named ‘HOPE’ – Helping Out People Everywhere, aimed at creating employment opportunities for the trained youths of the state.
14. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic the Himachal Pradesh state government has provided special relief to more than 5 lakh social security pension beneficiaries by making advance payment of Rs 217.86 crore.
15. Uttar Pradesh government has decided to give 50 percent subsidy on PPE kits to those nursing homes and registered hospitals who will provide treatment to the patients on the rates decided under Ayushman Bharat scheme.
16. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar held a meeting with representatives of the Pesticide Manufacturing Industry through video conferencing to check the strategy to prevent locust attacks on agricultural fields.
17. According to the study conducted by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the Carbon dioxide Emissions in India has declined the least in four decades.
18. Researchers have found that men seem to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 than women.
19. As per the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual rankings, India has secured the 74th position on the global Energy Transition Index (ETI). In the previous year, India ranked 76th.
20. The World Health Organization released Global Nutrition Report, 2020.
21. IAS officer V. Vidyavathi is appointed as the new Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) effective from 12th May 2020.
22. Former Commonwealth gold medalist Indian boxer Akhil Kumar was re-inducted into the Disciplinary Panel of National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA).
23. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has taken several measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 among Divyangjan and Elderly.

NEWS IN DETAILS

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Finance Minister announced measures for relief and credit support related to businesses

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Special economic and comprehensive package of Rs.20 lakh crores on 13 May 2020, equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP, for relief and credit support related to businesses, especially Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to support Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman announced several measures of the Economic Package called Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan or Self-Reliant India Movement.

Highlights:

• Several measures included in the economic package are:
• For businesses, including MSMEs, Rs.3 lakh crore emergency Working Capital Facility has been allocated
• 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for stressed MSMEs
• 50,000 crore equity has been planned to be infused through MSME Fund of Funds
• New Definition of MSME and other Measures for MSME
• No Global tenders for Government tenders of up to Rs.200 crore
• Extending the Employees Provident Fund Support for business and organized workers for another 3 months for salary months of June, July and August 2020
• EPF Contribution to be reduced for Employers and Employees for 3 months to 10% from 12% for all establishments covered by EPFO for the next 3 months
• 30,000 crore Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFC/HFC/MFIs
• 45,000 crore Partial credit guarantee Scheme 2.0 for Liabilities of Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFCs)/Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs).
• 90,000 crore Liquidity Injection for power distribution companies (discoms).
• Relief to Contractors given by extension of up to 6 months for completion of contractual obligations, including in respect of EPC and concession agreements
• Relief to Real Estate Projects the registration and completion date for all registered projects will be extended up to six months.
• Tax relief to business as pending income tax refunds to charitable trusts and non-corporate businesses and professions to be issued immediately
• Reduction in Rates of ‘Tax Deduction at Source’ and ‘Tax Collected at Source’ by 25% for the remaining period of FY 20-21
• Due Dates for various tax-related compliances have been extended.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Nafed procures Pulses and Oilseeds amid lockdown

• National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), under the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, procured pulses and oilseeds amid lockdown.

Procurement of crops by NAFED:

• Nafed procured 3.17 Lakh MT Gram (Chana) from 9 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
• 67 Lakh MT Mustard has been procured from 5 States namely Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana.
• 86 Lakh MT Toor has been procured from 8 States namely Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha.
• In Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2020-21, a total of 277.38 Lakh MT wheat is arrived in Food Corporation of India (FCI) out of which 268.90 Lakh MT is purchased.
• In Rabi season 2020-21, a total of 3208 designated procurement centers for Rabi pulses and oilseeds are available in 11 States.
• Also, during the lockdown period around 9.25 crore farmer families have been benefitted and an amount of Rs.18,517 crore has been released so far.

Extra Shots:

NAFED:

• NAFED was established on 2 October 1958. Nafed was registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act. The main objective of Nafed is to promote Co-operative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit the farmers. Agricultural farmers are the main members of Nafed, who have the authority to say in the form of members of the General Body in the working of Nafed.

CAPF canteens to sell Indigenous Products from 1 June

• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) canteens and stores across the country will sell only indigenous products, from 1 June 2020.
• The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for “vocal for local”.
• The announcement was made by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Highlights:

• The total purchase value of the move by MHA would be around Rs.2800 crore.
• Under this move, 50 lakh family members of about 10 lakh CAPF personnel will use indigenous products.
• MHA directed the people to use the products made in the country as much as possible and encourage others to do the same.
• The move aims to turn the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity.

Extra Shots:

CAPF: The Central Armed Police Forces refers to uniform nomenclature of security forces in India under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs.

• General nature: Federal law enforcement
• Parent agency: Ministry of Home Affairs
• Agency executive: Ajay Kumar Bhalla, IAS, Home Secretary
• Abbreviation: CAPF
• Federal agency: IN
• Child agencies: AR; BSF; CRPF; CISF; ITBP; NSG; SSB

Ministry of AYUSH, CSIR partners to conduct trial for 4 AYUSH formulations to fight coronavirus

• The Ministry of AYUSH and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have partnered to validate four Ayush formulations against COVID-19.
• The trials are expected to start within one week.
• The results will be given in 3 months.

Highlights:

• The partnership is a clinical study multi-centric in different parts of the country and variable design. for this purpose, a task-force has been formed and have prepared guideline for the clinical trial
• Under the move, four candidates namely Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu (Mulethi), Guduchi + Pippali (Giloy), and AYUSH-64 will be used for the trial. These drugs were invented for the treatment of malaria. Repurposing is currently going on.
• Under the partnership, a competitive study between Hydroxychloroquine and Ashwagandha has been planned.
• The four formulations will be tried as an add-on therapy and standard care for COVID-19 patients.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy is purposed with developing education, research and propagation of indigenous alternative medicine systems in India. The Ministry is headed by a Minister of State, which is currently held by Shripad Yesso Naik.

• Officeholder: Shripad Naik (MOS independent charge)
• Founded: 9 November 2014, India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Jurisdiction: India

Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan ranks among biggest in world

• In continuation to PM Modi’s announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore boost to the economy, the Finance Minister of India, Smt.
• Nirmala Sitharaman has made certain announcements for relief and credit support related to businesses, especially MSMEs to support the Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19.
• These are the announcements made on May 13, 2020. More such announcements will follow.
• The Economic Package is called Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.

Highlights:

Rs 3 lakh crore Emergency Working Capital Facility for Businesses, including MSMEs:

• This will be available to units with upto Rs 25 crore outstanding and turnover of up to Rs 100 crore whose accounts are standard.

Rs 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for Stressed MSMEs:

• Provision made for Rs. 20,000 cr subordinate debt for two lakh MSMEs which are NPA or are stressed. Government will support them with Rs. 4,000 Cr. to Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and Small enterprises (CGTMSE). Banks are expected to provide the subordinate-debt to promoters of such MSMEs equal to 15% of his existing stake in the unit subject to a maximum of Rs 75 lakhs.

Rs 50,000 crores equity infusion through MSME Fund of Funds:

• Govt will set up a Fund of Funds with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore that will provide equity funding support for MSMEs. The Fund of Funds shall be operated through a Mother and a few Daughter funds.

New definition of MSME:

• Definition of MSME will be revised by raising the Investment limit. Additional criteria of turnover also being introduced.

MSME receivables from Government and CPSEs will be released in 45 days

Employees Provident Fund Support for business and organised workers:

• The scheme introduced as part of PMGKP under which Government of India contributes 12% of salary each on behalf of both employer and employee to EPF will be extended by another 3 months for salary months of June, July and August 2020. Total benefits accrued is about Rs 2500 crores to 72.22 lakh employees.

EPF Contribution to be reduced for Employers and Employees for 3 months:

• Statutory PF contribution of both employer and employee reduced to 10% each from existing 12% each for all establishments covered by EPFO for next 3 months. This will provide liquidity of about Rs.2250 Crore per month.

Rs 30,000 crores Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFC/HFC/MFIs:

• Government will launch Rs 30,000 crore Special Liquidity Scheme, liquidity being provided by RBI. This will be 100 percent guaranteed by the Government of India.

Rs 45,000 crores Partial credit guarantee Scheme 2.0 for Liabilities of NBFCs/MFIs:

• Existing Partial Credit Guarantee scheme is being revamped and now will be extended to cover the borrowings of lower rated NBFCs, HFCs and other Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). Government of India will provide 20 percent first loss sovereign guarantee to Public Sector Banks.

Rs 90,000 crore Liquidity Injection for DISCOMs:

• Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation will infuse liquidity in the DISCOMS to the extent of Rs 90000 crores in two equal instalments. This amount will be used by DISCOMS to pay their dues to Transmission and Generation companies. Further, CPSE GENCOs will give a rebate to DISCOMS on the condition that the same is passed on to the final consumers as a relief towards their fixed charges.

Tax related measures:

• The due date of all Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year 2020-21 will be extended to 30 November, 2020.

The TDS rates for all non:

• Salaried payment to residents, and tax collected at source rate will be reduced by 25 percent of the specified rates for the remaining period of FY 20-21.This will provided liquidity to the tune of Rs 50,000 Crore.

The date for making payment without additional amount under the “Vivad Se Vishwas” scheme will be extended to 31 December, 2020.

ICCR launches song “United we Fight” to fight COVID-19

• A musical creation titled “United we Fight” has been unveiled by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
• It brings together composers, musicians and singers from across India to send a message of hope, joy, resilience, fighting spirit and never say die attitude of all in our collective fight against COVID 19.
• This song is a musical presentation interlacing English lyrics into the notes and beats of Indian classical music, hence spreading the essence of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India dedicated the song to the whole world, stating “United we stand, steadfastly helping, assisting, sharing knowledge, cooperating and coordinating with each other, cutting across boundaries fighting as ONE force against the Corona virus”.

Extra Shots:

ICCR: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, involved in India’s external cultural relations, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.

• Founder: Abul Kalam Azad
• Founded: 9 April 1950, New Delhi
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• President: Vinay Sahasrabuddhe
• Director General: Akhilesh Mishra
• Parent organisation: Government of India

Indian Railways makes Aarogya Setu app mandatory for passengers

• The Indian Railways has made the Aarogya Setu app mandatory for the passengers to travel by train.
• According to the announcement made by the Indian Railways, it has become mandatory for passengers to download Aarogya Setu application in their mobile phones, before starting their journey.
• “Aarogya Setu” is the official COVID-19 tracking app that has been launched by the Government of India.
• It has been developed by the National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in association with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Extra Shots:

Indian Railways is India’s national railway system operated by the Ministry of Railways. It is one of the public facilities given by the government and manages the fourth largest railway network in the world by size, with a route length of 95,981-kilometre as of March 2019.

• Customer service: 139
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 16 April 1853, India

PM CARES Fund allocates Rs.3,100 crore for migrant workers, ventilators and vaccine development

• Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) trust has allocated Rs.3,100 crore for fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

• Out of the total, a sum of around Rs.2,000 crore will be earmarked for the purchase of ventilators. To tackle COVID-19 cases across the country, 50,000 Made-in-India ventilators will be purchased. The ventilators will be provided to government-run COVID hospitals in all States and Union Territories (UTs) for better treatment of the critical COVID-19 cases.
• For the welfare of the migrants and poor, the States/UTs will be given an assistance of total Rs.1,000 crore. It will be used to strengthen the efforts in providing medical treatment, accommodation facilities, making food arrangements, and making transportation arrangements of the migrants.
• To support the COVID-19 vaccine designers and developers, a sum of Rs.100 crore will be given.

PM CARES Trust:

• PM CARES Trust was formed on 27 March 2020. The trust is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The other ex-officio Members of the trust are Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.

ICMR issues guidance on COVID-19 rapid antibody test kits

• The apex health research body, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), issued guidance on rapid antibody test kits for COVID-19 and also listed the manufacturers on 14 May.
• The manufacturers were listed as the importer licenses of two Chinese firms, namely Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics, which were cancelled by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) after kits supplied by them showed wide-variation under field conditions.

Highlights:

• In its guidance, ICMR stated that these rapid antibody tests are not recommended for the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. The testing technique is used to detect antibodies in the blood of people who may have had coronavirus infection.
• The tests will be done on plasma samples or serum samples or blood samples. The results of the tests will be available in 30 minutes.
• So far, 42 antibody-based rapid tests has been validated at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.
• The antibody test kits are used only for surveillance as there are high chances of these kits producing false negatives at the early stages of COVID-19.
• The list of firms includes Abbott Laboratories Zydus Cadilla, HLL Lifecare Limited, India, and SIDAK Life Care Pvt. Ltd, among others.

Extra Shots:

ICMR: The Indian Council of Medical Research, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world.

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Secretary & Director General: Dr. Balram Bhargava
• Founder: Government of India
• Founded: 1911
• Leader: Balram Bhargava
• Formation: 1911 (as IRFA); 1949 (renamed to ICMR)

Infosys Selected as the Digital Transformation Partner for GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ Digital Leadership Program

• Infosys has been selected by GLOBALFOUNDRIES,the world’s leading specialty foundry, as its partner for the company’s Digital Transformation program.
• Through this partnership, Infosys will provide expertise and analytical solutions to optimize the overall efficiency and agility of GF’s manufacturing and business operations.
• The partnership will enable GF to seamlessly transform its legacy solutions and adopt advanced cloud capabilities to rationalize existing workloads, thereby realizing GF’s digital strategy through process automation while achieving lower cost of ownership and ensuring compliance requirements.
• It will also help GF derive value and insights from the data generated across its globally dispersed operations.

Extra Shots:

Infosys:

• CEO: Salil Parekh
• Headquarters: Bengaluru

Centre sets up new body to promote rice exports- Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF)

• The Central Government has set up a new body – Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF), under the aegis of the Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Promotion Development Authority (Apeda) to promote rice export.
• REPF will monitor, identify and anticipate developments pertaining to production and exports and recommend necessary policy measures.
• India is the second largest producer of rice in the world.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Bhagalpur Smart City uses innovative technological initiatives to fight COVID-19 pandemic

• Bhagalpur Smart City Limited (BSCL) has taken several measures to combat COVID-19 using various initiatives.
• Use of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and technology for guiding and spreading awareness has been the cornerstone for BSCLs support to the city in the fight against COVID-19.

Key initiatives:

• The key initiatives taken up by BSCL include use of technology for spreading awareness; innovative IEC measures for sharing experience during lock-down periods; establishment of shelters for vulnerable population and distribution of supplies and food and other protection measures such as sanitizer preparation and distribution, mask and gloves distribution, disinfection tunnel and so on.

 Mera Bhagalpur:

• BSCL launched a mobile app named “Mera Bhagalpur” and used it to create awareness, provide important information at a single point, and engage people to keep their morale high during this pandemic period. Mera Bhagalpur mobile app has the following features: Daily City Updates regarding COVID-19, Do’s and Don’ts – to fight with COVID-19, Important Announcement by Government departments, List of Doctors, Emergency Numbers of all Government departments, List of Volunteers, Quick Contact, BSCL Channel.
• BSCL has taken several initiatives to support the production of hand sanitizer and got the same distributed to Government departments, Corona Warriors, and residents.
• BSCL Launched a storytelling series with a tagline ‘Lockdown Ke Panney’, for sharing a new story which is based on various experiences of the lockdown period. It aims to introspect and explore the people’s hidden talents, appreciation of sacrifices done by homemakers and housewives for family, and motivates them to connect with nature, improves bonding with family and understanding of Rich Indian Culture.

Uttarakhand CM launches HOPE portal to help unemployed youth get jobs

• Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has launched a portal named ‘HOPE’ – Helping Out People Everywhere, aimed at creating employment opportunities for the trained youths of the state.
• The portal will also offer them skill development opportunities to increase their employability. The HOPE portal has begun collecting data on the youths staying in the state as well as migrant youths who have returned recently from outside.
• Once the database of HOPE portal is ready, the portal will be linked with the Mukhya Mantri Swarojgar Yojana.

Extra Shots:

Uttarkhand

• Capital- Dehradun
• Governor- Baby Rani maurya
• CM-Trivendra Singh Rawat
• National Park -Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP

HP govt provides special relief to more than 5 lakh social security pension beneficiaries

• In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic the Himachal Pradesh state government has provided special relief to more than 5 lakh social security pension beneficiaries by making advance payment of Rs 217.86 crore.
• Amid statewide curfew the task of paying the social security pension to the beneficiaries was a big challenge. In such a situation the personnel of the Social Justice and Empowerment and the Indian Postal Service Department played a significant role in providing advance payment in tribal and non tribal areas of the state.
• A special relief to the beneficiaries of social security pension has been given for six months in advance to the  tribal areas while three months  for the  non-tribal areas of the state.

Extra Shots:

Himachal Pradesh:

• State formed on: 25 January 1971
• Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
• Chief Justice: Lingappa Narayana Swamy
• Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur
• Official language: Hindi

Uttar Pradesh govt decides to give 50 percent subsidy on PPE kits

• Uttar Pradesh government has decided to give 50 percent subsidy on PPE kits to those nursing homes and registered hospitals who will provide treatment to the patients on the rates decided under Ayushman Bharat scheme.
• Government will also extend the registration for 6 months of those hospitals who are registered under Ayushman Bharat.
• Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the fight against covid-19 can be easily won with the help of private doctors.
• Meanwhile Corona virus has now spread to all 75 districts of state, though the number of cases and mortality rates remain low.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• State formed in: 24 January 1950
• Literacy Rate: 67.68%
• Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

Narendra Singh Tomar held meeting Pesticide Manufacturing Industry representatives to prevent locust attacks

• The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar held a meeting with representatives of the Pesticide Manufacturing Industry through video conferencing to check the strategy to prevent locust attacks on agricultural fields.

Measures:

• GoI is taking several measures to ensure uninterrupted sowing and harvesting operations amid lockdown.
• The Central and State Governments are working together on the Desert Locust Control measures and have been able to check its spread. In this regard, mew machines have been ordered from the United Kingdom.
• The locust invasion was first noticed in 2019 and the farmers were taken unawares as it took place after decades.
• The Centre has compensated farmers who suffered losses from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Fund.
• Amid COVID-19 lockdown, the Locust Control Offices have been working since 11 April 2020 with 50 spray equipment/vehicles, in coordination with officials of the District Administration and State Agriculture Department.
• Tractor mounted sprayers and fire-tender vehicles are deployed at various locations in locust control. Additional equipment is also being procured to increase the control capacity of Locust Control Organizations.

RANKS AND INDICES

CO2 Emissions of India falls in 4 decades

• According to the study conducted by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the Carbon dioxide Emissions in India has declined the least in four decades.

Highlights

• The study says that the carbon dioxide emissions in India has reduced by 15% in March and by 30% in April.
• The study also says that the latest consumption of oil and gas, coal has declined. It has fell by 30 million tonnes in 2019-20 in the country as compared to that of the previous.
• The carbon dioxide pollution in the country is mainly caused due to power and transportation sector.
• The decline in consumption of fossil fuels is also the main reason for the reduction in pollution.
• The power generated by coal-fired power plants reduced by 15% in March for the first time.
• Also, the renewable energy generation has increased by 6.4% in March. The carbon dioxide emission also slowed down due to slowdown in coal-fired electricity generation.

Men are more vulnerable to coronavirus than women

• Researchers have found that men seem to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 than women.
• It suggested the reason might be related to the concentration of the enzyme Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the blood of men and women.

Key Findings:

• The ACE2 enzyme in blood responds to the novel coronavirus and enables it to infect the human cell.
• ACE2 is also a receptor present on the surface of healthy cells. The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses this receptor to enter inside cells. ACE2 receptors are present in abundance in the lungs, heart, kidneys, and testes.
• The study found men have higher concentrations of ACE2 in their blood than women. It also showed heart failure patients who are taking a certain class of drugs, called RAAS inhibitors, did not have higher concentrations of ACE2 in their blood. ut, some studies suggested RAAS inhibitors might increase ACE2 concentrations in blood plasma, which in turn increases the risk of COVID-19 infection for cardiovascular patients taking these drugs.

India ranked 74th on the global Energy Transition Index

• As per the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual rankings, India has secured the 74th position on the global Energy Transition Index (ETI). In the previous year, India ranked 76th.

Key findings:

• India showed improvements in all key parameters of economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability.
• In WEF rankings, Sweden topped for a third consecutive year in the ETI. It is followed by Switzerland and Finland in the second and third positions respectively.
• The 2020 results showed that 75% of countries have improved their environmental sustainability.

India:

• India has gained from a government-mandated renewable energy expansion programme, which has now extended to 275 GW by 2027.
• As per the report, India has made significant strides in energy efficiency through bulk procurement of LED bulbs, smart meters, and programs for labelling of appliances. India is also experimenting with similar measures to drive down the costs of electric vehicles (EV).
• India’s improvement has come in economic development and growth, energy access and security, and environmental sustainability.

Top 8 countries of the list are:

1. Sweden
2. Switzerland
3. Finland
4. Denmark
5. Norway
6. Austria
7. UK
8. France

Extra Shots:

WEF: The World Economic Forum, based in Cologny-Geneva, Switzerland, is an NGO, founded in 1971. The WEF’s mission is cited as “committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas”.

• Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland
• Founder: Klaus Schwab
• Founded: January 1971
• Leader: Klaus Schwab
• Motto: Committed to improving the state of the world

WHO releases Global Nutrition Report, 2020

• The World Health Organization released Global Nutrition Report, 2020.

Highlights

• According to the report, India is one among the 88 countries that are to miss global nutrition targets set for the year 2025.
• India also has highest rates of domestic inequalities, especially in malnutrition
• Along with Nigeria and Indonesia, India was declared the least performing in case of disparities in stunting.
• According to the report, between 2000 and 2016, underweight has decreased to 58.1% from 66% for boys.
• And for girls, it has decreased from 54.2% to 50.1%.
• Though the decrease is evident, it is still higher than that of Asian average which is 35.6% for boys and 31.8% for girls.
• Around 9% of under-5 children in India are stunted and 20.8% are wasted. At least 21.6% of Indian women and 17.8% of Indian men were anaemic.
• The report asks governments to focus on malnutrition as COVID-19 is threatening food systems and health.
• On in nine people in the world are hungry and The Four Nutritional Indicators The major 4 nutritional indicators are anemia among women in reproductive age, stunting among children under-5, exclusive breast feeding and childhood overweight. The report says that India is to miss the target on all four nutritional indicators.

Extra Shots:

WHO: The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded: 7 April 1948
• Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
• Heads: Tedros Adhanom, Soumya Swaminathan, Jane Ellison, Peter Salama

APPOINTMENT

Vidyavathi becomes new DG of Archaeological Survey of India

• IAS officer V. Vidyavathi is appointed as the new Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) effective from 12th May 2020.
• She is a 1991 batch Karnataka cadre officer.
• Vidyavathi will be serving in the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
• Her appointment is confirmed by the order of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Extra Shots:

ASI: The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.

• Founder: Alexander Cunningham
• Founded: 1861
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Parent organisation: Ministry of Culture, Government of India
• Motto: प्रत्नकीर्तिमपावृणु
• Budget: 974.56 crores INR (US$140 million, 2018–2019)

Indian boxer Akhil Kumar re-inducted into NADA disciplinary panel

• Former Commonwealth gold medalist Indian boxer Akhil Kumar was re-inducted into the Disciplinary Panel of National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA).
• He was formerly served in the panel from 2017 to 2019.
• At present Akhil Kumar, serves as the ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police) Gurugram, Haryana.
• In 2005, the Government of India (GOI) gave him the Arjuna Award for his achievements in international boxing.
• Akhil Kumar also the national observers for boxing between 2017 and 2019.

Extra Shots:

NADA: The National Anti-Doping Agency is the national organisation responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the doping control program in sports in all its forms in India.

• CEO: Navin Agarwal
• Founded: 24 November 2005
• Chairman: Minister of Sports (India)
• Motto: Play fair
• Purpose: Anti-doping in sports
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DST supports assistive tools to combat challenges faced by Divyangjan, Elderly during COVID-19 pandemic

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has taken several measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 among Divyangjan and Elderly.
• It has identified various challenges faced by them for finding technological solutions.

Highlights:

• The Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division of DST has supported organizations that have been instrumental in developing various assistive tools, technologies, and techniques through its programme on Technology Interventions for Disabled and Elderly (TIDE).
• The programme aims to create inclusiveness and universal accessibility for Divyangjan and Elderly.

Assistive tools:

• Under this programme, an e-Tool to create awareness and impart health and hygiene-related information along with education and entertainment to overcome the loneliness of the persons with intellectual disabilities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic is used. It was developed by Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Chennai.
• This will help persons with Intellectual Disability to lVearn with fun through Tabs and mobiles. The e-Tool can also be converted to other vernacular languages and the Beta Version of the e-tool is being used by 200 specially-abled children.
• A wearable sensor device has been developed by PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore to remotely monitor the activities of Elderly and Divyangjan staying alone or those who happen to be under quarantine or isolation wards. The device costs Rs.1500 when produced in bulk.
• A wearable rehabilitation band with real-time monitoring and feedback of the recovery process through guided rehabilitation protocols has been developed for the elderly with motor function disabilities.

Extra Shots:

DST: The Department of Science and Technology is a department within the Ministry of Science and Technology in India.

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: May 1971
• Subsidiary: National Innovation Foundation – India

OBITUARIES

Grammy-winning singer Betty Wright passes away

• The Grammy-winning soul singer, Betty Wright passed away.
• Her real name is Bessie Regina Norris.
• She is an R&B (Rhythm & blues) singer, songwriter and background vocalist.
• She received her first Grammy Award for the Best Song, “Where is the Love?”, at the age of 23.

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