Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 2nd April 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.
Current Affairs Today – 2nd April 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- World Autism Awareness Day is observed on 2 April.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced relief measures for state governments, exporters. The Central Bank also provides relief to banks’ capital concerns.
- The Central government announced that all medical devices that are sold in India will be treated as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
- The “National Monitoring Dashboard on COVID-19 Grievances” of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has been launched.
- The Telangana State government announced a huge pay cut for its employees ranging from 10% to 75% on 30 March.
- Andhra Pradesh State government issued modified guidelines for the distribution of 25 lakh house sites to the poor in urban and rural areas under Navaratnalu-Pedalandariki Illu (Houses for all the poor) program.
- The Andhra Pradesh state government has started distributing pensions at the doorstep to 58,44,240 beneficiaries with an objective to offer them held and to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
- Freightwalla, a Digital freight forwarding startup, has launched a mobile application to offer all the services.
- Centre issued Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020.
- The World Bank has offered $1 billion to the Indian government for a proposed India COVID-19 emergency response and health systems preparedness project.
- The United Nation’s COP26 climate change conference set to take place in Glasgow in November has been postponed till next year due to COVID-19.
- Lakshminarayanan Duraiswamy has become the new Managing Director of the Sundaram Home Finance.
- Wimbledon organizers cancelled the Wimbledon Championships 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- SpaceX released a Users Guide for its giant Starship rocket.
- Naval Dockyard (ND), Mumbai has designed and developed its own handheld Infrared radiation (IR)-based temperature sensor to screen people at gates.
- Nobel Prize-winning physicist Philip Warren Anderson passed away at 96.
- A Padma Shri awardee and former ‘Hazuri Raagi’ at the Golden Temple, Bhai Nirmal Singh passed away after testing positive for COVID-19.
- The Emmy award-winning singer-songwriter Adam Schlesinger passed away due to COVID-19.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
World Autism Awareness Day is observed on 2 April
- World Autism Awareness Day is observed on 2 April.
- The day aims to recognize and celebrate the rights of persons with autism.
- The day makes people understand, recognize, and accept people with autism.
- This year the day is commemorated by the Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi, the UAE.
Theme:
- The theme of the 2020 World Autism Awareness Day is “The transition of adulthood.”
BANKING AND FINANCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
RBI introduced relief measures to deal with coronavirus pandemic
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced relief measures for state governments, exporters. The Central Bank also provides relief to banks’ capital concerns.
RBI Measures:
- RBI extended the deadline for realization and repatriation period of export which is made up to or on 31 July. The period of export has been relaxed for up to 15 months from 9 months (at present). The move by RBI will enable exporters to realize their receipts within the extended period. It will also provide greater flexibility to exporters to negotiate future contracts with buyers abroad.
- RBI constituted an advisory committee to review ways and means limits for states and Union Territories (UTs). As per the committee’s report, it has been decided to increase the ways and means limit by 30% from the existing threshold for all states/UTs. The move is expected to cause the relief to state governments to get through the pandemic. The revised limits by the Central Bank came into force with effect from 1 April and will be valid till 30 September 2020.
- RBI cancelled the counter-cyclical capital buffer for banks for a period of one year. RBI’s framework views the credit-to Gross domestic product (GDP) gap as the main indicator, along with other supplementary indicators. The counter-cyclical capital buffer framework was introduced by RBI in 2015. The framework aimed to build up capital that may be used by them to maintain the flow of credit in difficult times. The framework aimed to prevent banks from indiscriminate lending in periods of excess credit growth.
Extra Shots:
RBI: The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central banking institution, which controls the issuance and supply of the Indian rupee.
- Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das
- Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, Michael Debaprata Patra
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Centre to treat Medical devices as Drugs from 1 April
- The Central government announced that all medical devices that are sold in India will be treated as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
- The move came into effect from 1 April 2020.
- The instructions were issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
Medical devices as drugs:
- As per the instructions of GoI, all medical devices will be regulated by the government as drugs for quality control and price monitoring.
- At present, GoI is regulating 24 classes of medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. These 24 classes of devices will be regulated as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (DCA) 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945.
- All medical devices that are used to treat a patient including syringes, needles, a knee implant, digital thermometers, cardiac stents, CT scan, MRIs, dialysis machines will be treated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
- Ceiling prices for four medical devices have been fixed and the devices are under price control. The 4 medical devices are Intrauterine devices (Cu-T), condoms, cardiac stents, and drug-eluting stents.
“National Monitoring Dashboard on COVID-19 Grievances” launched
- The “National Monitoring Dashboard on COVID-19 Grievances” of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has been launched.
Highlights:
- With the help of the dashboard, all grievances related to COVID-19 are received and monitored on priority basis by a technical team of DARPG.
- The portal will be updated and monitored at senior levels in Government on a daily basis.
- The National Monitoring Dashboard on COVID-19 Grievances has been developed by DARPG to ensure timely implementation of COVID 19 Response Activities.
- The nature of grievances received and monitored by the dashboard are related to quarantine facilities, lockdown not being adhered to complaints, examination related complaints, rescheduling of interest repayments on loans, essential supplies related complaints, evacuation requests from foreign countries and many more.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Telangana announced 75 percent pay cut to govt employees to fund COVID-19 crisis
- The Telangana State government announced a huge pay cut for its employees ranging from 10% to 75% on 30 March.
- The decision was made at a high-level review meeting conducted in the wake of the state’s financial situation amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Highlights:
- The State government has announced 75% cut in the salaries of the Chief Minister, state cabinet, MLCs, MLAs, state corporation chairpersons, and local bodies representatives.
- There will be a 60% pay cut of IAS, IPS IFS and other such central services officers.
- There will be a 50% salary cut for all other categories of employees.
- There will be a 10% pay cut for the Class IV outsourcing and contract employees and for all categories of pensioners, there will be a 50% cut.
Extra Shots:
Telangana
- Capital: Hyderabad
- Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
- Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
Andhra Pradesh to give away house sites on 14 April under Navaratnalu-Pedalandariki Illu program
- Andhra Pradesh State government issued modified guidelines for the distribution of 25 lakh house sites to the poor in urban and rural areas under Navaratnalu-Pedalandariki Illu (Houses for all the poor) program.
- The modification is done as per the directions of the High Court. The State is to give away the sites on 14 April.
- The state government aims to tie up with HUDCO and other organizations for securing loans apart from getting necessary approvals under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Navaratnalu-Pedalandariki Illu Program:
- Under the Navaratnalu-Pedalandariki Illu program, sites for the houses will be allotted at a concessional rate of Rs.1 to the beneficiaries with white ration cards.
- A sum of Rs.20 will be collected from them. Out of Rs.20, Rs.10 is collected towards the cost of stamp paper, and Rs.10 for lamination charges.
- As per the programme, the beneficiaries should use the sites for no purpose other than constructing houses.
- Also, the title deeds will be in the form of conveyance deeds containing security features like thumb impressions, photographs of the parties, signatures along with their required details, watermarks, and emblems, etc. on the stamp papers.
Background:
- The state government has earlier scheduled to distribute the house sites on 25 March but it was postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the local body elections. The state government has revised the date for giving away the sites on 14 April.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
- Capital: Amravati
- Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
- Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
- State Formed in: 1 November 1956
- Literacy Rate: 67.4 %
- National Park: Sri Venkateswara National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Papikonda National Park
AP provides doorstep pension payment to 58 lakh beneficiaries
- The Andhra Pradesh state government has started distributing pensions at the doorstep to 58,44,240 beneficiaries with an objective to offer them held and to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
- The state used 2.5 lakh volunteers to eliminate the need for pensioners to step out of their homes.
Highlights:
- Under the move of the govt. a wide range of people will benefit from the disbursement of the pension that began on 1 April.
- Also, old-age persons, widows, single women, weavers, fishermen, folk artists, and traditional cobblers will receive an amount of Rs.2,250 each.
- To support the people in the state during the COVID-19 outbreak, people with disabilities, transgenders and Dappu artists will receive an amount of Rs.3,000.
- Also, people who suffer chronic disease and are undergoing kidney dialysis at government and network hospitals will receive an amount of Rs.10,000.
- The fund will be first distributed to the pensioners and then the government will give financial relief to the poor and needy delivered at the doorstep on the 4 April using the same network of volunteers.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
- Capital: Amravati
- Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
- Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
- State Formed in: 1 November 1956
- Literacy Rate: 67.4 %
- National Park: Sri Venkateswara National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Papikonda National Park
Freightwalla launched app to offer all remote services
- Freightwalla, a Digital freight forwarding startup, has launched a mobile application to offer all the services.
- The app is a part of a larger “work from anywhere, anytime” initiative.
- The startups aim to make logistics and supply chain accessible 24×7, from anywhere, on any device.
Aim:
- The apps are to make it possible for logistics managers and business owners to plan, manage and track their shipments right on their mobile screens.
Freightwalla’s Mobile app:
- Freightwalla’s new mobile app is an extension of the Freightwalla digital web platform.
- The app uses the same technology as the website of the logistics, which is backed by a secure SSI encryption.
- The app offers USPs namely Instant quotations, Online chat support, Intelligent Cargo Tracking, Real-time status reports and Documentation Management.
- The app complies with the highest level of security for several user data and information that is exchanged on the app.
MHA issued 2020 JK Reorganisation Adaptation of State Laws Order
- Centre issued Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020.
- The order was issued by the Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) on 1 April.
- The order came with immediate effect.
- Out of the total 138 state laws of J&K, 25 laws have been repealed as a whole and other laws have been adopted with substitutes.
J&K Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020:
- The order aims for the adaptation and modification of State Laws specific to the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. It will also further facilitate the application of Central Laws to the newly formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The 25 laws that were repealed include J&K State Aid to Industries Act, J&K Civic Laws Act, J&K Civil Services Act, J&K Deputy Ministers Salaries and Allowances Act, J&K State Emergency Relief Fund Act, among others.
- MHA added a domicile clause in the J&K Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment Act). Jobs will be reserved under domicile for only those who fulfill the requirements of”Domicile”.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
- Lt Governor- Girish Chandra Murmu
- National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
World Bank offers $1 billion for proposed India COVID-19 emergency
- The World Bank has offered $1 billion to the Indian government for a proposed India COVID-19 emergency response and health systems preparedness project.
- This four-year project aims to develop the preparedness of India’s health care systems in the time of the pandemic.
- The idea of the project will be to respond and mitigate the COVID-19 threat and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in India, as per the project document.
- The World Bank funding is from its COVID-19 fast-track facility where both the entities (World Bank and the government of India) will work on following the best international practice.
Extra Shots:
World Bank: World Bank is a component of the World Bank group. The bank provides loans and grants to poor countries to support infrastructure development and their capital projects.
- Headquarters: Washington, DC, US
- Membership: 189 countries (IBRD), 173 countries (IDA)
- President: David Malpass
- MD & CFO: Anshula Kant
- Parent organization: World Bank Group
SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES
UN COP26 climate change summit postponed to 2021
- The United Nation’s COP26 climate change conference set to take place in Glasgow in November has been postponed till next year due to COVID-19.
- This decision has been taken by the COP Bureau of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with the UK and its Italian partners.
- Dates for a rescheduled conference in 2021, hosted in Glasgow by the UK in partnership with Italy, will be set out in due course following further discussion with parties. Some 30,000 people, including 200 world leaders, had been due to attend the 10-day conference for crucial talks to halt rising global temperatures.
Extra Shots:
UN: The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.
- Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
- Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
- Official languages: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish;
- Secretary general: António Guterres
APPOINTMEN
Duraiswamy becomes new MD of Sundaram Home Finance
- Lakshminarayanan Duraiswamy has become the new Managing Director of the Sundaram Home Finance.
- He assumed the charge as MD of Sundaram Home Finance on 1st April, 2020.
- Lakshminarayanan Duraiswamy has replaced Srinivas Acharya who was serving as the Managing Director of Sundaram Home Finance since 2010.
- Sundaram Home Finance is the wholly owned home finance subsidiary of Sundaram Finance Ltd.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Wimbledon championship cancelled for the first time since World War II
- Wimbledon organizers cancelled the Wimbledon Championships 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- The first match was scheduled to begin on 29 June 2020.
- This cancelation has happened for the first time since 1945 since World War II.
- The decision by the organizers to cancel the tournament was widely expected, with the world struggling to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Extra Shots:
Wimbledon Championships 2020:
- Founded on: 1877
- Editions: 134 (2020)
- Location: Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom
- Venue of the game: The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Surface Grass outdoors
- Prize money: £34,000,000 (2018)
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
SpaceX released a Users guide for its Starship rocket
- SpaceX released a Users Guide for its giant Starship rocket.
- The document will provide a short overview of the rocket that is designed to transport people, payloads, satellites, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, Lunar, or Martian landing sites.
Users Guide for Starship rocket:
- The guide gives a brief overview of SpaceX and about the program itself.
- The guide gives information about payload configurations and mechanical interfaces.
- It contains a comparison that is drawn between crewed and uncrewed configurations.
- In its current configuration, Starship can transport up to 100 people from Earth into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and on to the Moon and Mars.
- SpaceX is to develop cargo and crewed variants of Starship which can accommodate 100 passengers.
- The guide also laid out some specifications, including details about payload capacity, launch, and landing.
Extra Shots:
SpaceX:
- Founded on: 6 May 2002
- Headquarters: Hawthorne, California
- Founder, CEO & CTO: Elon Musk
- President & COO: Gwynne Shotwell
Naval Dockyard develops low-cost device to screen people
- Naval Dockyard (ND), Mumbai has designed and developed its own handheld Infrared radiation (IR)-based temperature sensor to screen people at gates.
- The sense will screen a large number of Naval personnel at the entry gates of the yard reducing the load on the security sentries at the gate.
IR-based temperature sensor:
- The instrument was manufactured under Rs.1000 through in-house resources.
- The accuracy of the instrument is 0.02 deg Celsius.
- The non-contact thermometer has an IR and an LED display integrated with a microcontroller that runs on a 9V battery.
- The instrument will screen a large number of Naval personnel at the entry gates of the yard thereby reducing the load on the security sentries at the gate.
- The low-cost instrument has the capability to scale up production of these if required towards which sourcing of the components is in progress.
Reason:
- Over 20,000 personnel enter the premises of the Naval Dockyard of Western Naval Command (WNC) every day.
- Inorder to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the yard and the Western Fleet, initial screening of the Navy personnel who enter the dockyard was very important.
- The primary method to screen a probable COVID-19 infected person/patient is to check the body temperature by a non-contact thermometer.
- In the view of the COVID-19 outbreak, the non-contact thermometers and temperature guns have become scarce and are being sold at a very high cost in the country.
- In order to overcome the scarcity and requirement of large numbers, ND has designed and developed its own handheld IR based temperature sensor.
OBITUARIES
Nobel laureate Phillip Anderson passes away
- Nobel Prize-winning physicist Philip Warren Anderson passed away at 96.
- He was born on December 13, 1923, in Indianapolis, Indiana, US. He received Nobel Prize in Physics in 1977, along with Nevill Francis Mott of Britain & the American John Hasbrouck van Vleck, for their contribution on fundamental theoretical investigations of the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems.
- He served in the Navy during World War II & was assigned to work in the U.S. Naval Research Lab.
Padma Shri awardee Bhai Nirmal Singh passes away
- A Padma Shri awardee and former ‘Hazuri Raagi’ at the Golden Temple, Bhai Nirmal Singh passed away after testing positive for COVID-19.
- Bhai Nirmal Singh was a Gurbani exponent at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
- Bhai Nirmal Singh was having the knowledge of all 31 “raags” in the Gurbani of the Guru Granth Sahib. He was awarded the Padma Shri award in 2009.
Emmy award-winning singer Adam Schlesinger passes away
- The Emmy award-winning singer-songwriter Adam Schlesinger passed away due to COVID-19.
- Adam was also the co-founder of the 2000s pop-rock band ‘Fountains of Wayne’.
- In his career Adam Schlesinger earned nominations for Oscars, Tonys, Grammys and Emmys. Adam won the Emmy Award in 2019 for his outstanding original music and lyrics for Antidepressants Are So Not A Big Deal from the TV musical drama Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
- He also won Grammy in 2009 for his work on A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All.
