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Current Affairs Today – 20th June 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated on 19 June every year to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease, its treatment methods and to get effective control over this disease worldwide
  2. UnitedNations celebrates World Refugee Day globally on 20 June every year.
  3. The Reserve Bank of India on 19th June 2020 has extended the regulatory restrictions imposed on the multi-state urban Cooperative Bank, Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Limited (PMC Bank) by another 6 months.
  4. The Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has reached $150-billion mark in term of market capitalisation.
  5. For the Financial Year (FY) 2020-21, the Fifteenth Finance Commission had earlier submitted its report for the Rural Local Bodies (RLB), the recommends in the report were accepted by the Government.
  6. The 19th Great June Uprising Day was observed on 18th June at Kekrupat, Manipur.
  7. Taking into consideration the situation arising due to the Novel Corona Virus, Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani launched online course material for more than 1 lakh students engaged in professional courses at I.T.I.
  8. The World Bank has approved dollar 1.05 billion for three projects in Bangladesh to create quality jobs and accelerate economic recovery in the wake of the Corona pandemic.
  9. India was second biggest growth driver of primary energy consumption in the world, according to the 69th annual edition of the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, released by BP, one of the world’s largest energy companies.
  10. The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ (MoES) has released the report titled ‘Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region’, which is the first ever climate change assessment report for different paarts of India.
  11. Mukesh Ambani with a recent soar in net worth has jumped into the exclusive club of the world’s top 10 richest people, as per Forbes Real-Time Billionaire list.
  12. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lucknow based financial institution SIDBI- Small Industries Development Bank of India on 19th June 2020.
  13. Facebook Inc. has acquired Mapillary AB, a Swedish mapping technology startup that crowdsources street-level imagery to build immersive and up-to-date maps.
  14. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of Metso Oyj’s (Metso) minerals business by Outotec Oyj (Outotec) under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
  15. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set up a Project Development Cell (PDC) to attract more investments into the sector and particularly solar energy sector.
  16. Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP).
  17. JSW Cement has signed Sourav Ganguly and Sunil Chhetri as its brand ambassadors.
  18. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati in association with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd and Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) developed low-cost diagnostic kits.
  19. Within a month, user-friendly Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kit known by the name ‘NavRakshak’ are expected to be available in the Indian market as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved it earlier this week for mass production and use in the country.
  20. Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi has launched R&D Portal “Science and Technology Yojana for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement (SATYABHAMA)”.
  21. Veteran economist and the member of 10th Finance Commission, B.P.R. Vithal passes away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World Sickle Cell Day observed on 19 June

  • World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated on 19 June every year to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease, its treatment methods and to get effective control over this disease worldwide
  • The day was recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008.
  • First WSCD was celebrated in 2009.
  • Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder which affects the red blood cells (RBCs) of the body and is inherited from the parents.

World Refugee Day celebrated on 20 June

  • UnitedNations celebrates World Refugee Day globally on 20 June every year.
  • The World Refugee Day 2020 aims to remind the world that everyone, including refugees, are capable in contributing towards society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world.
  • The theme of World Refugee Day 2020 is “Every Action Counts”.

Extra Shots:

UN:

  • Secretary general: António Guterres
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
  • Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
  • Official languages: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish

BANKING & FINANCE 

RBI extends restrictions on PMC Bank, eases Withdrawal Limit

  • The Reserve Bank of India on 19th June 2020 has extended the regulatory restrictions imposed on the multi-state urban Cooperative Bank, Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Limited (PMC Bank) by another 6 months.
  • As per the earlier notice dated March 21st, 2020, the regulatory restrictions were up to 22nd June 2020, which now has been extended up to 22nd December 2020.
  • However, the customers were provided relief in terms of withdrawal limit set by the RBI earlier in November last year as now the limit was enhanced from the earlier Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per depositor.
  • The RBI went on to inform that with the relaxation in withdrawal limits, more than 84 percent of the customers of the bank will now be able to withdraw the entire available balance from their accounts.

Extra Shots:

PCM Bank

  • Headquarters location: Mumbai
  • Founded: 1984
  • Number of locations: 137
  • Areas served: Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

RIL reaches $150-billion market valuation mark

  • The Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has reached $150-billion mark in term of market capitalisation.
  • Hence, the Mukesh Ambani-helmed RIL has become India’s first $150-billion company in terms of market capitalisation.
  • RIL achieved this milestone when its share price had gained 6.23% to close at Rs 1,759, taking its market capitalisation to Rs 11.15 lakh crore i.e. around $150 billion.
  • With this achievement, the market capitalisation of Reliance Industries Limited is more than that of Total SA, Royal Dutch Shell and BP among the top global energy players.

Extra Shots:

RIL

  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Chairman & Managing Director: Mukesh D. Ambani
  • Founder: Dhirubhai Ambani
  • Founded: 8 May 1973, Maharashtra

NOTE:

Reliance Jio Investors List

S.No

Investor

Investment Amount (in crores)

Stake Bought
1 Facebook, Inc. Rs 43,573.62 9.99%
2 Silver Lake Partners Rs 5,655.75 1.15%
3 Vista Equity Partners Rs 11,367.00 2.32%
4 General Atlantic Rs 6,598.38 1.34%
5 KKR Rs 11,367.00 2.32%
6 Mubadala Rs 9,093.60 1.85%
7 Silver Lake Partners (additional investment) Rs 4,546.80 0.93%
8 Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Rs 5,683.50 1.16%
9 TPG Rs 4,546.80 0.93%
10 L Catterton Rs 1,894.50 0.39%
11 PIF Rs 11,367.00 2.32%

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

First Installment of Highest Ever Rs 60,750 Crore Grant to RLBs Released

  • For the Financial Year (FY) 2020-21, the Fifteenth Finance Commission had earlier submitted its report for the Rural Local Bodies (RLB), the recommends in the report were accepted by the Government.
  • Based on it, the highest ever grants in a single year was allocated to the RLBs for the FY 2020-21 of Rs 60,750 Crore.
  • The first installment of which, Rs 15187.50 crore was released to 2.63 lakh RLBs across 28 states in the country on 17th June 2020.
  • The Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Narendra Singh Tomar further added that the second installment of Rs 15187.50 crore is also expected to be released soon by the Finance Ministry.

Use of Grants by RLBs

  • In every FY the Central Government approves a specific amount of financial aid for the RLBs for ensuring proper infrastructural development work in the rural areas of the country.
  • The grants provided are used for projects such as rainwater harvesting, safe drinking water connection, maintaining proper sanitation facilities to ensure rural areas can attain and maintain the status of 100% Open Defecation Free (ODF).

How these Grants are Distributed

  • The States Governments are responsible for the distribution of these grants to the RLBs. RLBs include all the tiers of panchayats (village, block, and district).
  • The Grant is distributed by the State Government based on the recommended made by the State Finance Commission of the particular state and the maximum and minimum bands of pay that are recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.
  • The bands are 70-85% for Village Panchayats, 10-25% for Block Panchayats, and 5-15% for District Panchayats.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Manipur celebrated 19th Great June Uprising Day

  • The 19th Great June Uprising Day was observed on 18th June at Kekrupat, Manipur.
  • The day is being observed every year on 18 June to pay tribute and respect to 18 persons who lost their lives in June, 2001 to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur.
  • On the occasion, family members of the 18 martyrs and leaders of some organisations paid floral tribute & respect to 18 persons at Kekrupat, Manipur.
  • In June 2001, the Union government signed the amended ceasefire agreement with the NSCN(IM) and inserted the words “without territorial limits”, following which people came out in streets to protest and there was arson at many places.
  • To control the uprising, security personnels resorted to firing leading to death of 18 persons.

Extra Shots:

Manipur:

  • Capita: Imphal
  • Statehood: 21 January, 1972.
  • Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh
  • Governor: Najma Heptulla
  • Literacy Rate: 21 January, 1972

Gujarat CM launches digital course material for more than 1 lakh I.T.I students

  • Taking into consideration the situation arising due to the Novel Corona Virus, Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani launched online course material for more than 1 lakh students engaged in professional courses at I.T.I.
  • The course has been prepared by more than 700 supervisors and instructors of I.T.Is and stretches for more than 2000 hours.
  • It consists of course material of more than 12 trades.
  • More than 10 thousand MCQs have also been uploaded for the students in order to ensure exam related preparations.
  • All this has been made available on www.talimrojgar.gujarat.gov.in .
  • The online course material consists of various trades such as wiremen, basic cosmetology, computer operator cum programming assistant, fitter, electricians, machinist, electronics mechanic, diesel mechanic, sewing technology, attendant operator cum programming assistant, mechanic refrigeration and air-conditioner etc.
  • The Chief Minister launched three books related to fitter and turner trade translated in Gujarati. The books are generally prepared in Hindi and English by National Instructional Media Institute (NIMI), a Government of India organisation located in Chennai.
  • The books will be available online and benefit more than 30,000 students.

Extra Shots:

Gujarat:

  • Capital: Gandhinagar
  • Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
  • Governor: Acharya Devvrat
  • State formed on: 1 May 1960
  • Literacy Rate: 79.31%
  • National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

World Bank approves dollar 1.05 billion to Bangladesh for jobs and economic recovery

  • The World Bank has approved dollar 1.05 billion for three projects in Bangladesh to create quality jobs and accelerate economic recovery in the wake of the Corona pandemic.
  • The first project worth a dollar 500 million called Private Investment and Digital Entrepreneurship (PRIDE) project will strengthen social and environmental standards in selected economic zones and software technology parks in Bangladesh.
  • It will create over 1.5 lakh jobs of which a percentage will be reserved for women.
  • The project will also establish Dhaka’s first digital entrepreneurship hub in the Janata Software Technology Park.
  • It will help Bangladesh to attract $2 billion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
  • The dollar 295 million Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project will establish an integrated, cloud-computing digital platform for all government agencies and improve cyber-security.
  • It will enable the government to operate virtually and deliver critical public services to citizens and businesses in times of future crisis.
  • The dollar 250 million Second Programmatic Jobs Development Policy Credit will create fiscal space to support the government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Extra Shots:

World Bank

  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
  • Parent organization: World Bank Group
  • Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA)
  • Founded: July 1944
  • Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White
  • President: David Malpass
  • Managing Director: Mari Pangestu

Bangladesh (Capital/Currency): Dhaka/Taka

  • Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
  • Official Language: Bengali

RANKS AND INDICES

India 2nd biggest driver of global energy consumption in 2019: BP Statistical Review

  • India was second biggest growth driver of primary energy consumption in the world, according to the 69th annual edition of the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, released by BP, one of the world’s largest energy companies.

Report Highlights

  • The global energy trends emerging prior to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
  • China was the biggest driver of energy, accounting for more than three quarters of net global growth.
  • The energy consumption is made up of oil, natural gas, coal, electricity and renewable.
  • Some key features in the report includes:
  • The Global primary energy consumption growth slowed to 1.3 percent in 2019 (583.90 Exajoules (EJ)), less than half the rate of growth in 2018 (2.8 per cent).
  • India’s consumption rose 2.3 percent to 34.06 EJ. The growth was lower than 5.2 per cent in 2018.
  • India’s energy consumption was only behind that of China (141.70 EJ)
  • The increase in energy consumption was driven by renewables and natural gas. All fuels grew at a slower rate than their 10-year averages, apart from nuclear.
  • Carbon emissions from energy use grew by 0.5 percent in 2019.

MoES Presents India’s first ever climate change assessment report

  • The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ (MoES) has released the report titled ‘Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region’, which is the first ever climate change assessment report for different paarts of India.
  • The report is edited by scientists of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.
  • The assessment report looks at regional climate change projections based on the IITM Earth System Model and Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment datasets.

Report Highlights:

  • India’s average temperature has risen by around 0.7°C during 1901–2018, this is purely due to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG).
  • The frequency of summer (April–June) heat waves over India will be 3 to 4 times higher (approximately 4.4°C) by the end of the 21st century as compared to the 1976–2005 baseline period.
  • Precipitation over north India has decreased by 6% (1951-2015) due to the polluting aerosol “brown cloud”.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Earth Sciences was formed in the year 2006 from a merger of the India Meteorological Department, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, and Earth Risk Evaluation Centre, and the Ministry of Ocean Development.

  • Departments: India Meteorological Department
  • Minister responsible: Dr. Harsh Vardhan
  • Founded: 2006
  • Headquarters: Prithvi Bhavan, Lodi Road New Delhi
  • Annual budget: 1,800 crores INR (2018-19 est., US$250 million)
  • Officeholders: Y. S. Chowdary (Minister of State), Harsh Vardhan (Minister)

Mukesh Ambani joins the list of world’s top 10 richest people

  • Mukesh Ambani with a recent soar in net worth has jumped into the exclusive club of the world’s top 10 richest people, as per Forbes Real-Time Billionaire list.
  • The Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director with a net worth of USD 64.5 billion is currently ranked 9th on the list of World’s top billionaires.
  • His net worth has increased by almost 12 times from USD 5.3 billion to USD 64.6 billion within just two months.
  • Ambani owns 42% of Reliance Industries Ltd and the company recently declared itself net-debt free, following a rapid flow of investments into Reliance’s digital platform- Jio.

World’s Top 10 Richest People

S.No

Country/Person

Net Worth (In Billions)

Company
1 Jeff Bezos USD 160.1 Amazon
2 Bill Gates USD 108.7 Microsoft
3 Bernard Arnault & family USD 103.2

 

 LVMH
4 Mark Zuckerberg USD 87.9 Facebook
5 Warren Buffet USD 71.4 Berkshire Hathaway
6 Steve Ballmer USD 68.9

 

 Microsoft
7 Larry Ellison USD 68.9 Oracle
8 Amancio Ortega USD 65.8 Zara
9 Mukesh Ambani USD 64.6

 

 Reliance Industries
10 Larry Page USD 64.3 Google

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has signed a MoU with SIDBI

  • The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lucknow based financial institution SIDBI- Small Industries Development Bank of India on 19th June 2020.
  • The MoU will provide a boost in building Atmanirbhar Bharat by providing credit or loans to the street vendors across the country for resuming their livelihood activities.
  • The MoU authorizes SIDBI as the implementing agency for the Pradhan Mantri AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme.
  • The scheme will be under the guidelines set up by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

PMSVANidhi

  • The scheme was launched on 1st June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with a target to provide financial support to more than 50 lakh street vendors across the country.
  • A street vendor can avail a loan of up to Rs 10,000 under the scheme which has to be repaid within a period 1 year, there will be no penalty for early repayment of the loan amount.
  • For repayment of loan or credit, monthly installments can be availed by the vendor.
  • The interest on the loan amount will be 7%, which however will be credited back on a quarterly basis to the bank accounts on the beneficiary as interest subsidy –if the beneficiary is able to make timely repayment of the loan amount.
  • The scheme will be provided in a phased manner, with a total of 108 cities being selected for the first phase which is expected to commence in the month of July 20To ensure collateral-free credit under the scheme, the credit guarantee for the lending institutions will be managed by SIDBI through the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).

Extra Shots:

SIDBI:

  • Headquarters : Lucknow
  • Founded: 2 April 1990
  • Chairman & MD: Mohammad Mustafa

ACQUISITION & MERGER

Facebook Acquires Swedish crowdsourced mapping startup Mapillary

  • Facebook Inc. has acquired Mapillary AB, a Swedish mapping technology startup that crowdsources street-level imagery to build immersive and up-to-date maps.
  • Mapillary’s technology would be used to power products like Facebook Marketplace and supply data to humanitarian organisations all over the world.
  • Mapillary keeps its maps updated with street-level data, by collecting images from tens of thousands of contributors about signs, addresses and other information that can be observed from the road.

Extra Shots:

Facebook

  • Founders: Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes
  • Founded: February 2004, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
  • CEO: Mark Zuckerberg
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States
  • CFO: David Wehner
  • Subsidiaries: WhatsApp, Onavo, LiveRail, Oculus VR, PrivateCore, etc

CCI approves acquisition of Metso Minerals business by Outotec

  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of Metso Oyj’s (Metso) minerals business by Outotec Oyj (Outotec) under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • The proposed combination relates to the acquisition of Metso’s minerals business (Metso Minerals) by Outotec.
  • The combined entity would operate under the name Metso Outotec and the remainder of Metso”s business (Metso”s flow control business) would continue to exist independently under the name ”Neles”

Extra Shots:

CCI:

  • Website: cci.gov.in
  • Founded: 14 October 2003
  • Objectives: Prevent activities that have an adverse effect on competition in India, MORE
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • First executive: Dhanendra Kumar

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

MNRE Establishes Project Development Cell headed by Amitesh Kumar Sinha to Attract Investments in Developing Projects

  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set up a Project Development Cell (PDC) to attract more investments into the sector and particularly solar energy sector.
  • The PDC will be headed by joint secretary of MNRE, Mr. Amitesh Kumar Sinha.
  • The main purpose of PDC will be to create projects that have all prior approvals for investors to adopt them such as detailed reports and readily available land for allocation and investment by investors for these projects.
  • This initiative is also a step forward to help the ministry meet its 175 GW target for green energy.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is a ministry of the Government of India that is mainly responsible for research and development, intellectual property protection, and international cooperation, promotion, and coordination in renewable energy sources such as wind power, small hydro, biogas, and solar power.

  • Departments: Solar Energy Corporation of India
  • Officeholder: R. K. Singh (MOS independent charge)
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Founder: Government of India
  • Founded: 1992

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel appointed as Chairman of NIPFP

  • Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP).
  • His four-year term will begin from June 22, 2020.
  • The National Institute of Public Finance and Policy is an autonomous research institute under the Ministry of Finance, based in New Delhi.
  • It conducts research on public finance and contributes to the process of policy-making relating to public finance.

Extra Shots:

NIPFP:

  • Founded: 1976
  • Headquarters location: New Delhi

Ganguly & Chhetri signed as brand ambassadors of JSW Cement

  • JSW Cement has signed Sourav Ganguly and Sunil Chhetri as its brand ambassadors.
  • The cement brand has also launched a new multi-media marketing campaign “Leader’s Choice” which includes both sports icons.
  • The multi-media marketing campaign “Leader’s Choice” of JSW Cement promotes the ideology of building a solid foundation for a better tomorrow.
  • Sourav Ganguly is the former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian Cricket team.
  • He is presently serving as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
  • Sunil Chhetri is the captain of the Indian national football team and Bengaluru FC.

Extra Shots:

JSW Group:

  • Chairman: Sajjan Jindal
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

JSW Cement:

  • Managing Director:Parth Jindal
  • Chief Executive Officer: Nilesh Narwekar
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS

IIT-Guwahati develops affordable diagnostic kits for COVID-19 pandemic

  • The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati in association with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd and Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) developed low-cost diagnostic kits. These are Viral Transport Media (VTM) kits, RT-PCR kits, and RNA isolation kits.

VTM kits:

  • The VTM kits are used to collect nasal and oral swab specimens from an individual source to a laboratory safely for culture and testing.
  • During this period, the virus in the sample specimens will remain intact until the testing procedure is completed.
  • The kit consists of a comprehensive solution specially formulated for the collection and transport of SARS-CoV-2.
  • These kits comprise two transport media, one for nasopharyngeal and the other for oropharyngeal specimen collection swabs.
  • Both of these are safe to use as they are recommended and validated by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well.
  • The complete package of the VTM Kits will be suitable for the collection, transport, maintenance, and long-term freezer storage of viral specimens.
  • The unique formulation of the transport medium will help to preserve the viability of viruses for up to 72 hours, at refrigerated temperatures.
  • These sterile VTM kits comply with the CDC-recommended configurations for viral specimen collection for COVID-19 and are packed in user-friendly individual packs.

ICMR approves User-Friendly PPEs ‘NavRakshak’

  • Within a month, user-friendly Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kit known by the name ‘NavRakshak’ are expected to be available in the Indian market as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved it earlier this week for mass production and use in the country.
  • One of the nine authorized NABL accredited laboratories for PPE prototype sample testing, the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (a DRDO laboratory) has also certified the PPE Kit after testing.

NavRakshak

  • The PPE Kit was developed by a naval doctor at the Innovation Cell of the Institute of Naval Medicine located at INHS Asvini in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
  • The kit will be available in two versions: Single and Double ply.
  • The entire kit will consist of face mask, headgear and a mid-thigh level show cover.
  • The specialty of the Kit will be its enhanced breathability factor as compared to other PPEs available in the market, this will provide health workers working in the frontline against the pandemic a much-needed comfort while working for long hours.
  • The PPE will also not require any tapes and sealing machines as the quality of the fabric used for it is such a superior one that even it won’t require any plastic-like film or polymer lamination.

Extra Shots:

ICMR:

  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Secretary & Director General: Dr. Balram Bhargava
  • Founder: Government of India
  • Founded: 1911
  • Leader: Balram Bhargava

WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS

Union Minister launches R&D Portal “SATYABHAMA”

  • Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi has launched R&D Portal “Science and Technology Yojana for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement (SATYABHAMA)”.

Highlights:

  • The portal has been launched for Science and Technology Programme Scheme of Ministry of Mines.
  • The newly launched portal will increase efficiency as well as effectiveness in the implementation of the Scheme as it allows online submission of project proposals along with monitoring of the projects and utilization of funds/grants.
  • The R&D Portal SATYABHAMA has been designed, developed and implemented by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Mines Informatics Division.
  • It has been integrated with NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog.
  • It also accepts the researchers’ progress reports and Final Technical Reports of the projects in the electronic format.

Aim of the Portal

  • Through the Portal, the Central Government aims to encourage researchers and scientists to undertake qualitative and innovative research and development work in the mining and mineral sector.
  • The Portal will help in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of various schemes of the Government in this sector, optimum utilization of funds allocated to institutions in this sector for various research and development based projects, and in ensuring proper usage and conservation of mineral resources of the country.

Advantages of the Portal

  • SATYABHAMA Portal will allow researchers to submit their reports (Progress and Final) to be submitted in electronic format, to date this progress or final technical reports can only be submitted physically by the researchers.
  • Project proposals can also be submitted through the portal.
  • Through regular monitoring, the portal will also be used for the management of grants/funds for various projects by both the officials and for researchers and scientists.
  • Digital submission of reports and proposals of projects and also the management of funds for projects will encourage more researchers and scientists to take work in the mines and minerals sector of the country.
  • This will further help in building AtmaNirbhar Bharat.

OBITUARY

Veteran economist & FC memeber B.P.R. Vithal passes away

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