The Gist APRIL 2020 - IAS EXAM PORTAL PDF

‘The GIST’ - APR 2020

CONTENTS

GIST OF YOJANA Magazine 8
#1 Fiscal Sustainability Framework and Deficit Indicators 8
#2 Union Budget 2020-21: Safer Deposits, Stronger Cooperative Sector Banks and Major Boost to
MSME 10
#3 The Economics of Water and Sanitation 12
#4 Indian’s Quest for universal Coverage 13
#5 An Analysis of Education Sector Budget 15
#6 Skills, Employment and Human Resource Development 16
#7 Action Plan for Prosperity of Farmers 17
#8 Gender Budgeting and Senior Citizen 20
GIST OF KURUKSHETRA Magazine 22

#1 Budget for Strengthening Agriculture, Farmers and Rural India 22
#2 Budget 2020-21: Changing the Landscape of Rural Economy 25
#3 Accelerating Financial Inclusion in Rural India 27
#4 Rural Infrastructure in Union Budget 2020-21 29
#5 Budget 2020-21: Rural Economy and Rural Women 32
#6 Rural Resurgence through Trade, Tourism and Technology 33
GIST OF THE HINDU (Newspaper) 36

VP claims next 10 years to be decade of youth in India 36
In terms of invoicing, India is amongst the most dollarized countries 37
New Zealand to expand trade with India if the latter does not join RCEP 37
Evidence of colistin resistant bacteria in the gut found in Indian patients 38
India’s fastest women clinches gold in Khelo India university games 39
Centre launches campaign for empowerment of women & girls through education 39
Centre to review monuments under ASI 39
Centre to deploy officials for systematic implementation of development projects 40
South Korea to come out with all out response against COVID due to high number of cases 40
Study reveals severe water scarcity in Himalayan region 41
VP appeals to Rajya Sabha members to ensure better attendance 41
EC not to consider state funding of polls 42
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OECD lowers India’s growth rate to 5.1% 42

Srilankan president dissolves parliament,elections to be held in april 42
New delhi assures Bangladesh that NRC updation will not have any implication on them 43
Sultan Azlan shah cup postponed due to corona threat 43
Centre to establish exclusive body for river linking projects 44
Centre brings in restriction on drug exports 44
Parliamentary panel suggests cut in allocation to hurt tourism industry 45
World bank announces aid package to combat corona virus outbreak 45
Study finds high levels of black carbon in Himalayan glaciers 45
Central government launches second phase of SBM (Grameen) 46
Supreme court frees trade in cryptocurrencies 46
India affirms on two-state solution in Israel-Palestine conflict 47
Srilanka to lead BIMSTEC science, technology & innovation sector 48
European commission launches global coalition for biodiversity 48
EC to consider linking of Aadhaar with voter ID 48
G7 to use all policy tools to prevent corona risk 49
BIMSTEC charter adoption probably in next summit claims officials 49
Supreme court uphold land acquisition proceedings under 1894act 50
India joins as observer in Indian ocean commission 50
Generic medicines market share moves up 6% in last 5 years 51
International conference on Nano science and Nano technology held in India 51
EC ready with roadmap for revamp 52
SIT on black money to submit interim report soon 52
Defence sector to help country realize goal of 5trillion economy 52
Researchers find evidence of social network in early animals 53
Parliamentary panel finds huge infrastructural gaps in govt. Schools 53
Govt. plans to form 75 lakh SHG’s by 2022 54
Maldives launches inquiry into gender discrimination 54
Report in wildlife trade reveals drop in poaching of red pandas in India 55
Study finds lesser fund allocation for SC/ST students 55
ADR finds majority of party donations from unknown sources 56
UNCTAD forecasts 15% drop in worldwide FDI due to COVID-19 56
UN adopts political declaration on women’s rights 57
Ashraf Ghani sworn in as Afghan president for 2nd time 57
India shares genome sequence data of novel coronavirus 57
People in UT ladakh demand better constitutional safeguards 58
www.IASEXAMPORTAL.COM/the-gist THE GIST - APR 2020 2

India not to accept limits of farm input subsidies 59

Survey finds women disciplined about savings and taking charge of their money 60
UNSC approves U.S-Taliban peace agreement 60
Experts suggest no relation between temperature variation and coronavirus spread 60
SC claims forcible dispossession of property as human rights violation 61
Saudi and UAE announces plans to boost oil production capacity 61
Russian parliament allows Putin to run for presidential election again in 2024 62
CAG report finds majority wildlife crimes in country from Rajasthan 62
Shafali Verma loses top spot in ICC T20 rankings 63
Centre launches new Crime Multi Agency Centre 63
Social media accounts to be made more responsive and accountable 63
RBI asks states not to shift deposits from private banks 64
India to assist Maldives tackle COVID-19 64
India delivers rice to flood hit Madagascar 65
Scientists develop fuel cell technology for disaster management 65
Government notifies new POCSO rules with stringent punishments 65
Government notifies masks and sanitisers as essential commodities 66
Centre approves reconstruction scheme for YES bank 66
WHO claims Europe as epicenter of Pandemic 67
Scientists develop new solar receiver tube technology 67
Preventive restrictions put across the country to prevent COVID spread 68
PM assures restoration of statehood in Jammu & Kashmir 68
Parliamentary panel reports around 60000cr post-harvest losses to fishermen 69
Scientists develop new hydrophobic coating that can protect metallic surfaces 69
Achanta Sharath wins Oman men’s title 70
CJI rules out shutdown of courts 70
Govt. says MPLAD scheme fund remains unspent 70
Export body recommends reduced dependence on China 71
UN chief urges governments to work together to prevent global recession 71
Study finds new minor planets at the edge of solar system 72
President nominates former CJI to Rajya Sabha 72
HRD ministry claims support to states via Samagra Shiksha Yojana 73
Labour ministry claims growth in employment in major sectors 73
India provides aid for construction of school buildings in Nepal 74
G7 offers support to economies affected by COVID 74
Space -X to launch space tourists to ISS next year 75

SC clears way for permanent commission for women in Navy 75

No meeting of SC/ST panels in majority states for 3 years 76
Finance ministry moots amendment to competition law for regulating etailers 76
India rejects J & K reference in China-Pak joint statement 77
India holds talks with Saudi crown prince 77
ISRO set to launch Chandrayaan-3 by 2021 77
SC removes Manipur minister from assembly 78
Rajya Sabha passes bill on Indian system of medicines 78
Virtual G20 leader’s summit to be held in Saudi 79
DAC approves procurement of Tejas fighter aircraft for IAF 79
PM calls for Janata curfew in the wake of COVID-19 80
Centre plans to set up roadside amenities under NHAI 80
Centre eases import restriction for chemicals, aviation gasoline 81
ISRO develops new messaging system for fisheries department 81
Government plans to take Kabbadi to Olympics 82
Lok Sabha passes bill to confer national importance status to IIT’s 82
SC upholds courts power to order passport surrender in contempt cases 83
Centre claims no shortage of essential commodities in the market amid COVID-19 83
Nepal contributes Rs100 million to SAARC fund set by India to combat COVID 83
IMD predicts El Nino to be neutral this year 84
Indian football legend PK Banerjee passes away 84
AYUSH wellness centres to be included in NAM scheme 85
Globally nearly one billion people confined to homes 85
Scientists discover cellular mechanism of Huntington disease 86
Prices of agri commodities drop by 20% amid COVID 86
Govt.allows export of pharma formulations under export-linked scheme 87
Guinea conducts referendum to extend President Alpha Conde’s rule 87
Indian researchers develop affordable COVID test kit 87
Brazilian football clubs hand over stadiums to convert them into field hospitals 88
SC decides to go digital to maintain social distancing 88
Centre amends law to enable excise duty hike in fuels 89
Scientists develop starch based Hemostat 89
PM announces nationwide lockdown for 21 days 89
Centre asks states/UT’s not to interrupt food processing units 90
Finance ministry to announce economic package to deal with COVID-19 90
UNSC holds meeting via videoconferencing 91

Study finds long tailed macaques proficiency in tool use and object manipulation 91
Tokyo Olympics gets postponed to 2021 92
EC allows government to use indelible ink to mark the quarantined 92
Finance ministry asks RBI to relax asset classification norms for farm loans 92
After India,Nepal imposes country wide lockdown 93
New technology to improve fuel efficiency of IC engines developed 94
MHA issues SOP for supply of essential goods and services 94
CRISIL cuts down growth estimate further down 95
FinMin asks banks to ensure smooth transfer of funds to JanDhan accounts 95
G20 pledges $5trillion into global economy 96
U.S indicts Venezuelan president for narco terrorism 96
Former Indian footballer Abdul Latif passes away 97
President urges govts to mobilise various NGO’s to contain COVID-19 97
Supreme court allows sale of BS4 vehicles 10 days after lockdown 98
RBI cuts interest rates permits 3 months moratorium on loans 98
Post offices set to provide basic services during lockdown 99
India to join WHO’s medicine trial against COVID 99
Germany plans mass immunity study to track virus 99
RBI confirms merger of banks to come into force from April-1 100
Farming and allied activities exempted from lockdown 100
Scientists decode evolution patterns in E.coli 101
Centre forms several empowered groups to suggest measures during lockdown 101
Govt.to use cargo flights to supply essentials to north eastern region 102
FDA approves plasma treatment for serious COVID patients 102
Indian Olympic bound boxers to provide online classes 103
Doordarshan gets ready to entertain lockdown period 103
Finance minister asks banks to work for full hours 104
ADB announces $100m for funding Indian infrastructure sector 104
Germany and U.K to hire flights to evacuate their citizens 105
India decides to temporarily close consulates in Afghanistan 105
Indian scientists develop new negative ion generator 106
GIST OF Science Reporter Magazine 107

#1 Henneguya salminicola: The animal that doesn’t Need Oxygen to Respire 107
#2 HUNU — A reusable Coffee Cup 108
#3 Smart insulin-delivery Patch 108
#4 World’s Fastest Ant 108

#5 Turning Ocean Waters Acidic Threatening Marine Life 109

#6 Mission Objectives of Aditya-L1 112
#7 Lychee Fruit: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly 113
#8 AppStreamer — A New Software to Stream Data 114
#9 Wearable AC — On-skin Electronic Device 114
#10 IIT-KGP Develops Cost-effective CBC Test Kit 115
GIST OF PIB (Press Information Bureau) 116

#1 Spring harvest festivals in India 116
#2 BC Sakhi and Bank Sakhis 117
#3 CollabCAD enable students to create 3D Computer Aided Designs 117
#4 YUKTI 117
#5 Implementing Agencies to initiate procurement from available funds under MSP for MFP scheme
118
#6 Telemedicine Guidelines Approved for Homoeopathic Practitioners 118
#7 Chitra Acrylosorb Secretion Solidification System 119
#8 Kendriya Bhandar 120
#9 Madhuban Gajar 120
#10 India’s Science and Tech Institutions Raise their Game Against COVID-19 121
#11 MHRD AICTE COVID-19 Student Helpline Portal 121
#12 MPLADS 121
#13 Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis 122
#14 Exercise NCC Yogdan 122
#15 Jammu and Kashmir sets up PMRU of NPPA 123
#16 Medical Devices notified as Drugs 123
#17 Companies Fresh Start Scheme, 2020” and revised the “LLP Settlement Scheme, 2020 124
#18 GreenCo Rating system 125
#19 Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package 125
#20 Scitech Airon 125
#21 Corona Studies Series 126
#22 BARA-LACHA LA 126
#23 Fight Corona IDEAthon 127
#24 StayHomeIndiaWithBooks initiative 127
#25 Laser surface micro-texturing 128
#26 MACS 4028 128
#27 MPLADS funds may be utilized for COVID-19 129
#28 National Centre for Disease Control 129

#29 Invest India Business Immunity Platform 130

#30 Yugadi 130
#31 Relaxation of FDI norms in Defence Sector 131
#32 National Supercomputing Mission 131
#33 Body Coveralls 132
#34 Shaheedi Diwas 132

COURTESY:
● The Hindu
● Yojana
● Kurukshetra
● Science Reporter
● Press Information Bureau


GIST OF YOJANA Magazine

● In spite of a lot of pressing need, the
#1 Fiscal Sustainability Framework and budget has kept the targeted fiscal deficit
Deficit Indicators at 3.5% of GDP.
Introduction: ● In addition to above, budget has also
made provision for higher capital
● To achieve fiscal consolidation and
expenditure, with a clear indication
prudent fiscal management, the
towards positive outcome through
Government of India has enacted FRBMA
sustainable development.
(Fiscal Responsibility and Budget
● However, the government has embraced
Management Act-2003.
‘Escape Clause’ to deviate 0.5% in the set
● The ‘hygiene and sustainable’ aspect of
fiscal deficit to accommodate structural
the budget can be measured through
complexities and uncertain fiscal changes
various deficit indicators and their ensuing
due to uncertain macroeconomic
impacts and incidences on the economy
environment.
on the basis of macroeconomic
● Owing to implementation of FRBMA as a
outcomes.
mechanism and policy intervention, the

estimated fiscal deficit has decreased till
Fiscal Deficit: Estimated vs, Actual
2008-09, but later did not follow the path
● It indicates the total borrowing obligation of fiscal discipline.
to finance its deficit during a particular
fiscal year and used to measure fiscal Linkage between Fiscal Deficit and Revenue
discipline and governs the long-term Deficit:
economic policy of a country.

● Revenue deficit indicates that the N. K. Singh to appraise the FRBM act after

government is unable to meet its a gap of 13 years.
current/revenue expenditure from its ● The committee recommended shifting the
current/revenue receipts. So, the focus of budget analysis in terms of ‘fiscal
government adheres to borrowing (fiscal deficit’ to ‘debt-GDP ratio’ and set the
deficit) to finance the revenue short fall or target to keep the same at 60% by 2023
in meeting the capital expenses. and keeping fiscal deficit at 3% for next
● Fiscal consolidation can be possible three years.
through revenue augmentation, without ● Further, the government has suggested to
curtailing of the development expenditure. have the value of fiscal deficit to be in a
● Containing fiscal deficit at its set target by ‘range’ than a ‘fixed value’; in order to
reducing expenditure at the cost of provide fiscal space to the government to
socio-economic well-being of the nation; accommodate any global shocks and
can never be a welcome step. That’s why; economic uncertainties.
the only and the ultimate way to reduce
the fiscal deficit is to reduce revenue Fiscal Sustainability and Fiscal Focus:
deficit.
● Budget has set the fiscal deficit target of

3.5% of GDP, with a plan for augmented
Fiscal Glide and Initiatives:
capital expenditure.
● The first phase of fiscal deficit reduction ● Besides, emphasis is given to rationalizing
followed a steady path up to 2008-09, but and scrutinising all kinds of revenue
later fiscal deficit has shot up to 6.8% of expenditure in tune with the long-term
GDP in 2009-10 and remained above 4.6% fiscal goals and adhering to quality
for the next four years due to adoption of expenditure. This is where the beauty of
expansionary fiscal stimulus package to quality and sustainability intersects.
combat ill effect of global meltdown. ● The current budget provides fiscal space
● Further, Kelkar Committee (2012) has to the policymakers in augmenting
recommended that the fiscal deficit agriculture, health, education and
should be kept at 3% of GDP by 2016-17, infrastructure development. Increase in
by the end of 12th plan. However, it was sharing of funds for capital expenditure
delayed by next two years to house the symbolizes the fiscal outlook of the
fiscal and structural challenges like current budget.
demonetization and global uncertainties. ● Besides, net market borrowing of the
● Post-budget 2017-18, the Finance Minister government is restricted to Rs. 5.36 lakh
set a committee under the leadership of crore which indicates the intent of the
government to restrict the debt liabilities.


High Fiscal Deficit: Not Advisable
#2 Union Budget 2020-21: Safer Deposits,
● Another ‘School of Thought’ opines that
Stronger Cooperative Sector Banks and
continuous adherence to high fiscal deficit
Major Boost to MSME
over the set deficit reflects fiscal distress
of an economy. Introduction:
● Based on the historical perspective
(2003-04 to 2020-21), fiscal deficit in India ● Three most important proposals related
will continue to be a concern over the with the banking sector were declared to
years to come; unless supported by be implemented. These are:
corresponding increase in capital Insurance Cover on Deposits:
expenditure and rationalization of revenue
● Insurance cover on deposits means how
expenditure.
much money will be paid to the depositor
● The crowding out effects of private
if the bank is closed due to some reason
investment on account of high fiscal
or goes bankrupt.
deficit should not suppress the benefits of
● The responsibility of providing insurance
higher capital expenditure. The debt
cover on deposits is with the Deposit
liabilities (both principal and interest
Insurance and Credit Guarantee
payment) always pose a threat to an
Corporation (DICGC), which is a fully
economy and hence fiscal consolidation
owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of
is the main aim to achieve long-term
India.
growth.
● In the beginning, the insurance cover per

depositor was Ra. 1500. This amount is
Way Forward
now Rs. 5 lakh from 4 February, 2020. For
● Fiscal deficit can be reduced to its desired the purpose of insurance cover on
level only by reducing the revenue deficit, deposits, the banks have to pay the
not the capital expenditure. This can be premium amount, not the depositors.
possible through revenue augmentation
and expenditure rationalization. Strong Regulation System for Cooperative
● Efficient management of expenditure is Banks:
the key to fiscal consolidation; centrally
● The complex system of rules is one of the
sponsored schemes are restructured for
big reasons for the deterioration of
greater synergy and effective
cooperative banks. Under the federal
implementation by which unnecessary
system, cooperative societies have been
overlapping expenditure can be curbed.
kept under the state list.

● If these societies act like a bank; they will ● The budget proposes to support MSME
have to follow the rules and regulations of sector through the banking system and
the Reserve Bank of India. also has the provision of easy loan
● To strengthen the Cooperative Bank, returns.
amendments to the Banking Regulation ● The budget has proposed to introduce a
Act are proposed for increasing scheme to provide subordinate debt for
professionalism, enabling access to entrepreneurs of MSMEs. This
capital and improving governance and subordinate debt to be provided by banks
oversight for sound banking through the would count as quasi-equity and would be
RBI. fully guaranteed through the Credit
● Among Urban and Rural Cooperative Guarantee Trust for Medium and Small
Banks, State Co-operative banks (StCBs) Entrepreneurs
and District Central Cooperative Banks (CGTMSE).
(DCCB) have to register under the ● In addition, an app-based invoice
Co-operative Societies Act of the financing loans product will be launched.
respective States or Multi-State This will obviate the problem of delayed
Cooperative Societies Act. payments and consequential cash flows
● Banking Law was enforced on mismatches for the MSMEs.
Cooperatives societies from 1 March,
1966. Therefore, the state level Important proposals associated with banking
Cooperative Society Registrar or Central sector:
Registrar of Cooperative Societies and
● Insurance cover on deposits is now Rs.
Reserve Bank of India have double control
5,00,000 per depositor
over UCB, DCCB and StCB today.
● RBI has been provided more powers
● The Cooperative banks (Multi-State
regarding regulation of cooperative banks
Cooperative Bank) functioning in various
● The time limit of credit restructure
states and UCB will be brought under the
extended for MSMEs
jurisdiction of The Reserve Bank of India.
● New measures to be announced to
● Banking related issues will be under the
enhance professional efficiency in public
jurisdiction of The Reserve Bank of India,
sector banks
while the registrar has been authorized to
● The government will sell its remaining
deal with the administrative issues of
stake in IDBI Bank.
cooperative societies.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs):

billion by 2021, creating many new jobs,

#3 The Economics of Water and Sanitation
even in the most rural areas of the
Introduction: country.
● It is fairly clear now that investment in
● The most important differentiating factor
sanitation is actually a facilitator of
which allowed the SBM to leverage the
broader economic, health and social
collective strength of 1.3 crore people was
gains.
exactly the political leadership.

Budget Provisions:
SBM: Recognized by African Nations:
● The government is committed to ensuring
● In January 2020, a Ministerial Round Table
that this success is sustained.
discussion was held in Addis Ababa on
● The finance minister in the budget for
‘Scaling up Sanitation in Africa’. It was
2020-21 has announced about Rs. 10,000
primarily based on the major lessons
crore for rural sanitation to focus on ODF
coming from the implementation of the
sustainability, biodegradable waste
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).
management, faecal sludge management
● They unanimously agreed that the biggest
and most importantly plastic waste
bottleneck they faced in replicating the
management for all villages by 2024.
SBM model in their countries was that
● The government is committed to
they were not able to convince their
delivering its piped water supply. The PM
Finance Ministries to invest heavily in
announced the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
sanitation, like Indian has done since
with the goal of ensuring piped water
2014.
supply for all households of India by 2024.

● Backing its commitment, in the budget for
Economics of Sanitation:
2020-21, the government has already
● UNICEF recently estimated that the allocated a central share of Rs. 11,500
investments in sanitation in India are crore for the JJM, with an additional
yielding a 400% return, with each rural provision for extra budgetary resources of
household in an ODF village saving Rs. Rs. 12,000 crore.
50,000 on account of avoided medical ● The biggest impetus to the rural water and
spends, time savings and lives saved. sanitation sector is the earmarking of 50%
● Meanwhile, moving ahead, the Toilet of the Rs. 90,000 crore grant to rural local
Board Coalition has estimated that the bodies under the 15th Commission for
sanitation infrastructure and services drinking water and sanitation.
market in India will be worth over $60 ● This approach will ensure that just like
sanitation provision of water supply and

its upkeep will also become everyone's ● The Government of India launched an
business. ambitious scheme Ayushman Bharat. It is
India’s bellwether in its efforts towards
achieving UN Sustainable Development
Goal 3.8, Universal Health Coverage
(UHC).
● Ayushman Bharat through its two
components Health and wellness Centres
(HWCs) and Pradhan Manti Jan Arogya
Yojana (PM-JAY) addresses health
holistically covering preventive care.

Second Pillar
● The second pillar of this vision is

affordable healthcare which is addressed
by the second component of Ayushman
Bharat scheme—PM-JAY.
#4 Indian’s Quest for universal Coverage ● PM-JAY Is the world’s largest publicly
-funded health assurance scheme and
Introduction: provide more than 50 crore poor and
vulnerable citizens with a health cover of
● The new vision for health for India rest on
Rs.5 lakh for cashless secondary and
four pillars namely - ensuring preventive
tertiary inpatient care.
health, providing affordable healthcare,
● Special pharmacies have been set up
improving supply of quality health
under which 800 critical drugs have been
services and effectively implementing
made available at affordable prices.
government schemes in a mission mode.
Because of this initiative, the price of

cardiac stent has been reduced by 80%
First Pillar:
and that of knee implants reduced by
● Under the first pillar of preventive health, 50-70%.
there is special emphasis on yoga, ● Under the Pradhan Mantri National
Ayurveda and fitness. To reign in the Dialysis Programme, lakhs of people are
harmful effects of smoking, the able to avail free dialysis at district
Government of India has gone a to put a hospital, bringing major for ESRD patients.
complete ban on e-cigarettes.

Third Pillar crore for 2020-2021 reaffirms this

promise.
● As the third pillar of this vision, supply
● This budget gives a prominent place to
side expansion focuses on building
citizen’s health. Several schemes have
medical infrastructure and providing
been strengthened giving emphasis to
quality medical education.
universal immunisation; mission
● A key reform in this area is the National
Indradhanush has been expanded to cover
Medical Commission act, 2019. This will
12 related diseases, including five new
transform healthcare in the country by
vaccines. Fit India movement is a vital
paving the way for the establishment of
part of fight against diseases resulting
the country’s new regulator of medical
from lifestyle issues.
education and certification.
● Reaffirming the Government’s promise to

End Tuberculosis by 2025, the FM
Fourth Pillar
proposed to strengthen efforts under the
● The fourth pillar effective implementation “TB Harega Desh jeetega’’campaign.
of government health schemes in mission ● The budget allocation for both
– mode is essential to achieve the above components of Ayushman Bharat has
goals. been maintained with HWCs and Rs. 6400
● The Government of India has also crores.
launched Poshan Abhiyan or National ● Addressing the supply side constraints,
Nutrition Mission to tackle anaemia and especially in tier-2 and tier -3 cities the FM
stunting. announced viability gap funding for
● As a signatory to sustainable setting up hospitals in the smaller cities.
development goals, other mission mode In the first phase, priority will be given to
Interventions include eliminating aspirational districts where no empanelled
tuberculosis by 2025 and single use hospitals are currently available.
plastic by 2022. ● A tax on medical devices has been
announced in the budget. This tax will
Budget 2020-2021: Demonstration of strong Proceeds from this tax would be used to
political will towards health: support this vital health infrastructure.
● Addressing the challenge of strengthening
● The union budget 2020-2021 fraud and abuse control and safeguarding
demonstrates a strong commitment security of patient data, the government
towards health. The increase in the has proposed a slew of measures like
budget allocation for health from Rs making use of frontier technologies such
62.398 crore in 2019-2020 to Rs 69.000

as Artificial Intelligence and machine ● The govt. is also striving to utilize ICT in
Learning. teacher training (e.g. Diksha Portal).

Equalisation of Opportunities to Access

Higher Education:
#5 An Analysis of Education Sector Budget ● The current budget by proposing a degree
level full-fledged online education
Introduction: programme will attract youth towards
● The Indian education system has higher education.
witnessed major structural changes in ● A degree level full-fledged online
recent years. The focus has shifted from education programme will help in
merely providing access to schools and increasing Gross Enrolment Ratio in
colleges towards pursuit of quality in higher education.
education, in line with the SDG-4. ● These programs can only be offered by
institutions ranked within the top 100 in
Budget Allocation: the National Institutional Ranking
Framework.
● The education budget allocation amounts
to a total of Rs. 99,311 crore. The current Global Higher Education:
allocation reflects an increase of 5% from
the previous year. ● To enhance the inflow of international
● There has been significant emphasis on students, the current budget has proposed
higher education which is evident from the to initiate Ind-SAT which is to be held in
increased share of higher education from Asian and African countries under the
34% in 2014-15 to 42% in 2017-18 in the ‘Study in India’ programme.
total budgetary outlay of MHRD.
Improved Financing:
Key Initiatives Proposed Under Union Budget ● The current budget proposes to introduce
2020-21: sourcing External Commercial Borrowing
Teacher Education: (ECBs) and FDI so as to be able to deliver
higher quality education.
● The govt. is already focusing on training
all the untrained teachers in the country Training:
through various institutions including
National Institute of Open Learning ● The current budget has adopted a unique
(NIOS). approach by proposing establishment of a

National Police University and a National reforms required to the ground to the
Forensic Science University. ground level implementation with the help
of integrated approach – and the best part
Enhancing and Ensuring Employability: is that education and skill development
have been made an integral part of the
● The budget has proposed to address the
sectoral growth strategies.
issue of unemployment with the initiative

of apprenticeship embedded
Two New Initiatives in This Budget:
degree/diploma courses in about 150
higher education institutions. ● Focusing on the need for apprenticeship,
● Another important initiative pertains to the the Budget announced two new initiatives.
proposed internship program for The first was that 150 Higher Education
engineering students with urban local Institutions would start apprenticeship
bodies for a period up to one year. This is embedded degree/diploma courses by
expected to bring in transformation in the March 2021.
way urban local bodies work. ● Second, to increase apprenticeships
within the country, it was proposed to
start a program where urban local bodies
#6 Skills, Employment and Human Resource across the country would provide
Development internship opportunities to fresh
engineers for a period up to one year.
Introduction:
● The budget states that it has provided Rs. Other Schemes:
99,300 crore for education sector in ● To address specific sectoral skills needs,
2020-21 and about Rs. 3,000 crore for skill it is proposed to set up a National Police
development. University, and a National Forensic
● However, since skills programmes are Science University.
spread across different ministries, the ● In the medical field, it has been proposed
amount is actually higher. to build a Medical College in an existing
● The budget also talks about improving the district hospital in a PPP mode.
financial support mechanism for ● Budget proposed that special bridge
capitalizing on foreign financing courses be designed by the Ministries of
wherewithal. Health, Skill Development together with
● The budget has covered all the areas of professional bodies to bring in
education and skill development equivalence. Another new initiative is the
comprehensively – beginning from the

special thrust to infrastructure-focused farmers who are at the core of Indian
skill development opportunities. economy and more importantly in national
● Supported by the National Infrastructure food security.
Pipeline covering 6,500 projects, ● This budget proposes integration of
infrastructure development will create the farming, storage, financing, processing
demand for skilled workforce. and marketing.
● A special Nirman Kaushal Vikas Yojana ● The Finance Minister announced a
with an initial outlay of Rs. 50 crore is 16-point action plan with a wide range of
proposed. The two schemes – Skills activities and measures critical to farmers'
Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for welfare.
Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) and Skill
Strengthening for Industrial Value Reforms and Resources:
Enhancement (STRIVE) are also quite
● Model Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2016
significant.
facilitates leasing of land to landless
● This is in addition to the outlay for
farmers under standard conditions.
continuation of the Pradhan Mantri
● Model Agricultural produce and Livestock
Kaushal Vikas Yojana Programme.
Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation)

Act, 2017 strives to remove barriers of
Conclusion:
inter-state boundaries for trade of
● Developing a robust education and skill agricultural produce and livestock.
development infrastructure based on the ● Model Agricultural produce and livestock
emerging needs is central to achieving a Contract Farming and Services
higher growth trajectory that leads India to (Promotion and
the $5 trillion economy goal quickly. facilitation) Act, 2018 was enacted with a
● The Budget for 2020-21 has taken view to integrate farmers with bulk
significant strides in this direction. purchasers
(exporters, agro-industries, etc.) for better
price realization.
#7 Action Plan for Prosperity of Farmers ● Moving towards resource management,
Govt is proposing comprehensive
Introduction: measures for 100 water stressed districts,
● Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural so that water does not become a limiting
Development under the broad theme of factor in enhancing productivity of crops.
'Aspirational India'. This budget aims to ● During 2018-19, it paid more than Rs.
fulfill aspirations of crores of Indian 73,400 crore as subsidy for different types
of chemical fertilizers and city compost

zero-budget natural farming, that the ● The Government has announced further
Government announced in 2019, gets a creation and expansion of warehousing
positive mention in this budget also. facilities by
roping in Food Corporation of India,
Farms, Farming and Energy: Central warehousing Corporation and
other stakeholders.
● In the year 2019, the govt. announced PM
● To support these warehouses at farm
– KUSUM (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam
level, a village storage scheme is
Utthan
proposed that will be run by SHGs.
Mahabhiyan) to value-add farmers
● In the Budget 2020-21, the Government
(annadata) as energy providers (urjadata).
has announced to build a seamless
● The govt. now proposes to expand the
national cold supply chain for perishables
scheme to support 20 lakh farmers for
(including milk, meat, and fish ) by
setting-up stand alone solar pumps.
collaborating with Indian Railways through
● Integrated Farming systems (IFS), that
PPP arrangement .
combine crops, livestock and subsidiary
● A dedicated Kisan Rail will be launched
enterprise in a more productive productive
and refrigerated coaches in Express and
and sustainable way, have emerged as
freight trains will also be added.
one of the most effective measures to
● The ministry of Civil Aviation will launch
enhance farmers' income.
'Krishi Udann' on national and
● But , most of the IFS models developed so
international routes to help improve value
far are inclined towards irrigated
realization especially in northeast and far
conditions. Hence, the Government's
flung tribal districts.
announcement to expand Integrated
● The budget also proposes to support
Farming Systems in rainfed areas is a
states which will focus on 'one product,
welcome step.
one district' based on cluster approach.

● To expand the marketing of organic
Storage, Transport, and Trade:
agri-products, the government has also
● India has an estimated capacity of 162 announced strengthening of portal
million metric tonnes of agri-warehousing, 'Javikkheti' which is an online national
cold-storage, reefer van facilities, etc. organic product market.
● But for making optimum and efficient use
of these facilities, now NABARD will Livestock for Livelihood:
undertake an exercise to map and geo-tag
● The livestock sector has grown at a
them.
compound annual growth rate of 7.9%
during last five years.

● National Animal Disease Control ● Financing on Negotiable warehousing

programme (NADCP) for eradicating foot Receipts is proposed to be integrated with
and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis in e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to
cattle' was launched in 2019. bring in more expansion in the interest of
● Proposal to increase coverage to Artificial farmers.
insemination from the present 30% to 70% ● The Government is all set to make
will help genetic improvement of breeds agriculture credit more accessible and
for better productivity. transparent.
● Using MGNREGS for developing fodder ● Agriculture credit target for 2020-21 has
farms will increase the much desired been set at Rs.15 lakh crore which was
availability of green fodder in villages. Rs. 13.50 lakh crore during the last fiscal.
● Target of doubling milk processing ● The NABARD refinance scheme will be
capacity from 53.5 million tonnes to 108 further expanded and all eligible
million tonnes by 2025 is a welcome beneficiaries of PM-KISAN will be covered
move. under kisan credit scheme.
● Blue economy is a sunrise sector being ● The Finance Minister proposed to allocate
supported and promoted by the Rs. 1.60 lakh crore for agriculture,
Government. irrigation and allied activities for the year
● Fisheries sector is now one of the major 2020-21 whereas Rs. 1.23 lakh crore is
contributors of foreign exchange earnings allocated for activities under Rural
with India being one of the leading Development and panchayati Raj.
seafood exporting nations in the world.
● The budget proposed to raise fish
production to 200 lakh tonnes (current
production nearly 140 lakh tonnes) by
2022-23 and also committed to promote
cultivation of algae and sea-weed along
with the novel practice of cage-culture.
● The Government hopes to raise fishery
exports to Rs. 1 lakh crore by 2024-25,
and proposes to involve youth in fishery
extension through 3477 'sager mitras’ and
500 Fish Farmers producer Organizations.

Credits and Allocations:

Conclusion: • At secondary level, it is 81.32% as

compared to 78% for boys at higher
● Through this budget, the Government
secondary level and girls have achieved a
aims to make farming more competitive
level of 59.70% as compared to 57.54%
and profitable to ensure prosperity of
for boys.
farmers and is on the right path to meet
• The budget allocates over Rs. 30,007
its target of doubling farmers' income by
crore for the ministry of Women and Child
2022.
Development (WCD), an increase of over

Rs. 3,822 crore from the current year.
• The Poshan Abhiyan, which aims to bring
#8 Gender Budgeting and Senior Citizen
down stunting of children in the age group
Introduction: of 0-6 years from 38.4% to 25% by 2022,
has been a key focus area of the Ministry.
• In the Union Budget 2020-21, the Finance • The allocation for the Pradhan Mantri
Minister (FM) clearly emphasized on this Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY),a
with a three-pronged agenda of maternity benefit
“Aspirational India”, “Economic programme has been increased.
Development”, and “Caring Society” to • The allocation for the Child Protection
achieve ease of living for all its citizens. Services Programme under the Integrated
Child
‘Caring India’ to Take Care of Mother and Development Services has been increased
Child: to Rs.1500 crore from Rs.1350 crore. The
announcements relating to the “Blue
• The Government announced setting up of Economy” especially fisheries will also
a task force to recommend step to lower benefit women due to their significant
maternal participation in the sector.
mortality rate.
• Categorising women and children under
the larger budgetary theme of “Caring Senior Citizens:
India”, the FM announced an allocation of • Budget 2020-21 announced allocation of
Rs. 35,600 crore for nutrition-related Rs.9,500 crore for the welfare of senior
programmes. citizens and Divyang.
• She said the gross enrolment ratio of girls • In the 2019 Union Budget senior Citizens
across all levels of education is now (aged 60 years or above but less than 80
higher than boys. At elementary level, it is years) income up to Rs. 3 lakh were
94.32% as against 89.29% for boys. exempted From tax. For super senior

citizens aged 80 years and above , income
up to Rs. 5 lakh is exempt From tax.
New!
• Besides, the Finance Minister also UPSC, IAS (PRE)
allocated Rs. 53,700 crore for the
upliftment of Scheduled Papers Download
Tribes, and Rs.85,000 crore for the welfare
of Scheduled caste and other backward
classes.


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Budget Announcements:
#1 Budget for Strengthening Agriculture,
Farmers and Rural India A. Agriculture:
Introduction: ● The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural

Development and Panchayati Raj are
● In budget 2020-21 a clear blueprint is
brought under one umbrella so that
presented for ensuring the overall growth
concrete policies and strategies can be
of the agriculture sector, improving the
implemented keeping their inter-linkages
economic condition of the farmers and
at the core.
all-round development of rural India.
● A 16-point action plan has been
● Ease of living has been underlined in the
introduced for agriculture, irrigation and
budget in the form of three major subjects
rural development. A provision of Rs. 2.83
(1)
lakh crores has been made in the Budget.
agriculture, irrigation and rural

development (2) wellness, water and
sanitation and (3) education and skills. B. Agriculture Credit:
● By improving the conditions of agriculture
● During the year 2020-21, institutional
and farmers, not only standard of living of
lending of Rs. 15 lakh crore to farmers has
70% of the population can be transformed,
been targeted. This will ensure availability
but the dream of ‘New India’ can also be
of more loans to farmers on low interest
realized.
and easy terms of agricultural operations.

● All the beneficiaries of PM-KISAN Yojana
will be linked to Kisan Credit scheme and

NABARD’s refinance plan will be made ● Krishi Udaan Yojana will also be launched.

more comprehensive. The service will be operated on both
● A comprehensive action plan will be national and
prepared for 100 water-stressed districts international air routes.
in the country. ● This will enable agricultural produce from
the NE region and tribal areas to reach the
C. Irrigation and Income Enhancement
market in a short
● To transform Annadata (food giver) to time. Krishi Udaan will also make it
Urjadata (energy provider), the Budget has possible to sell agricultural products
proposed to make “PM Kusum Yojana” abroad.
comprehensive. Under this, solar units will ● The government has also decided to build
be installed in the fields and connected to a warehouse in every village for safe
power grid. storage of farmers’ grains. Farmers will be
● This plan envisions production of 25750 linked to storage systems operated by
MW solar power by the year 2022. Under SHGs with the aim of reducing logistics
PM Kusum Yojana, 20 lakhs farmers will costs on products.
be assisted in installing solar power ● Food Corporation of India and Central
pumps. Warehousing Corporation will also build
● In addition, financial assistance will be such store houses on their land. Funding
provided to 15 lakh farmers to operate carried out on negotiable warehousing
grid connected pump sets with solar receipt will be integrated with e-NAM.
power. Assistance will be provided to ● The state governments implementing
farmers to set up solar power plants on Model Acts like Agricultural Produce
their fallow or barren land. Market Act and Contract Farming will be
given incentives.

D. Storage and Marketing:
E. Blue Economy:
● The government has announced
introduction of Kisan Rail Service through ● Under the blue economy, the target for
PPP for transportation of farm produce. export of fish by year 2024-25 is kept at
AC farmer goods trains will be run for Rs. 1 lakh crore. The target of increasing
transportation. Refrigerated coaches will fish production to 200 lakh tonnes by the
be attached in express and goods trains. year 2022-23 will be emphasized.
● It is proposed to create a seamless ● To promote fisheries sector, youth will be
national cold supply chain. involved in it by 3477 Sagar Mitras and
500 fish farmer producers’ organisations.

The cultivation of algae and seaweeds will be given to SHGs of these women to
and cage culture would be promoted. involve them on a large scale in various
● The budget also hints at giving the status storage schemes.
of farmer to fishermen. This will make
fishermen entitled to government benefits
H. Livestock:
being given to the agriculture sector.
● Livestock has recorded 8% increase
during the last five years. Currently, India
F. Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture:
is the largest milk producer in the world.
● In order to improve the marketing and ● The Budget has set a target of doubling
export system in the horticulture sector, milk production by the year 2025.
“One Product One District” scheme has ● Milk processing capacity will be raised to
been chosen in the budget. 108 million metric tonnes from the current
● Emphasis has been laid in the budget on 53.5 million metric tonnes.
promoting use of conventional organic ● The coverage of artificial insemination
fertilizers in order to curtail the excessive will be raised from present 30% to 70%.
use of chemical fertilizers. Convergence of MGNREGS will be done
● “Organic framing portal” will be launched for development of pastures.
to strengthen the online national market ● A special action plan will be prepared to
of organic products. eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
of cattle and Peste de Petits Ruminants
(PPR), also known as Ovine Rinderpest
G. Women and Agriculture:
(which affects sheep and
● The proposal to strengthen natural goats)completely by the year 2025.
farming and to expand integrated farming ● In milieu to indigenous dairy sector to
system in rainfed areas for irrigation has insulate it against cheap imports
also been made in this Budget. decimating the industry, the budget has
● The budget has given full attention to the done away with the concessional basic
self-reliance of women in rural areas and customs duty of 15% on imports of upto
as result “Dhaanya Laxmi Yojana” has 10,000 tonnes of Skimmed Milk Powder in
been announced. Under this scheme, any financial year.
women will be specially linked to ● That concession under the extant Tariff
seed-related programmes. Quota Regime has been withdrawn and all
● Women farmers will be given training in imports would henceforth attract a
quality-checking of seeds and scientific uniform 60% duty.
farming. Loans and financial assistance

● What the govt. in the budget has done is Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH).
to hike the import duty on all dairy
products to the maximum permissible
J. Environment:
bound rates under the rules of the WTO in
order to help facilitate better procurement ● The budget provision of Rs. 4400 crore for
prices for farmers in the dairy business. clean air programme is an important
announcement of the government.

I. Infrastructure:
Conclusion:
● The govt has announced expenditure of
Rs. 103 lakh crore over the next five years ● There was a time when the main thrust of
in infrastructure related to the the country’s agricultural policy was based
development of roads, electricity, water, on increasing the yield, but today we are
rail, airports and metro. self-reliant in foodgrains.
● Under UDAN scheme, 100 new airports ● Now we talk about doubling the income of
will be developed by yr. 2024. Currently, the farmer, raising his standard of living
there are only 600 airplanes in the country. and providing him with urban facilities.
There is a plan to increase this number to

1200.
● Before 2024, 6000 kms of highways will
#2 Budget 2020-21: Changing the
be laid and 9000 kms of economic
Landscape of Rural Economy
corridors will be built. Roads covering
2000 kms will be built in coastal areas. Introduction:
Construction of 2000 kms of roads in
strategic areas including North-east will ● Inclusive development is multifaceted and
be undertaken. can be achieved through growth with
● It has also been promised to complete the equity – social, economic and political.
work of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway by the ● In consideration with inclusiveness,
year 2023 and start work of special focus is given on rural
Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway soon. development in the current budget
● The government will soon come up with a 2020-21 to augment better life and
policy to create Data Centre Parks across sustained livelihood in rural India.
the country through the private sector.
This year, under the BharatNet, one lakh Overview of Agriculture:
gram panchayats will be connected to

● 70% of its rural households still depend warehouses at the block/taluk level.
primarily on agriculture for their livelihood,
with 82% of farmers being small and
Digital Rural Connectivity:
marginal.
● The share of agriculture and allied sectors ● The new economy is based on
in the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the innovations that disrupt established
country at current prices has declined business models. Artificial Intelligence
from 18.2% in 2014-15 to 16.5% in (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing,
2019-20, on account of relatively higher drones etc., are re-writing the world
growth performance of non-agricultural economic order.
sectors. ● India has already embraced new
paradigms such as the sharing economy
with aggregator platforms and harnessing
Budget Overview:
new technologies to enable direct benefit
Agricultural Credit: transfers and financial inclusion on a
scale never imagined before.
● Using machine learning and AI in the
● The provision of agricultural credit has
Ayushman Bharat scheme by the health
increased to Rs. 15 lakh crore (2020-21),
authorities and the medical fraternity can
considering the significance of agriculture
target diseases with an appropriately
in contributing to rural employment,
designed preventive regime.
farmers’ well being and special support to

farmers in doubling their income.
Conclusion:
Storage and Marketing: ● Increase in agricultural productivity and

realization of reasonable prices for
● India has an estimated capacity of 162
agricultural production is essential for
million MT of agri-warehousing, cold
doubling the farmers’ income by 2022.
storage, reefer van facilities etc.
● Now a days, agriculture sector is facing
● The budget proposed to create
formidable challenges and a large number
warehousing in line with Warehouse
of farmers want to quit agriculture due to
Development and Regulatory Authority
failure of crops, higher labour costs etc.
(WDRA) norms.
● The shift of focus of the Budget 2020-21
● Government will provide Viability Gap
towards rural development and farmers’
Funding for setting up efficient
welfare is no doubt a welcome step.

sections and low income groups at an

#3 Accelerating Financial Inclusion in Rural
affordable cost.
India
● As per the Census 2011, only 58.7% of
Introduction: households are availing banking services
in the country. NSSO 70th Round Survey
● RBI under the aegis of Financial Inclusion shows that institutional and
Advisory Committee initiated the process non-institutional sources of credit have
of formulation of National Strategy for almost identical shares i.e. 49% and 51%
Financial Inclusion for the period of respectively.
2019-24.
● The strategy envisages providing Approaches adopted by RBI for encouraging
universal access to financial services and FI:
a bouquet of basic financial facilities as Regulatory approach:
its starting point.
● The report has called for increasing ● Simplified KYC forms
outreach of banking outlets of scheduled ● Simplified branch authorization
commercial banks, payments banks, ● Simplified savings account opening
among others to provide banking access ● Other rural intermediaries
to every village within a 5 km radius of ● Regional Languages
500 households in hilly areas by March ● Self-regulators for MFI
2020. Product approach:
● No Frills Account/BSBD As

● Kisan Credit Card
● General Purpose Credit Card
● Overdraft Facility
Private sector approach:
● Business facilitator/Business
Correspondents
Technology approach:
What is Financial Inclusion (FI)?
● Mobile banking
● FI may be defined as the process of ● Mobile wallet
ensuring access to financial services and
Financial literacy approach:
timely and adequate credit needed by
vulnerable groups such as weaker ● Financial literacy centers

● Financial Stability Development Council ● The first phase, until 2015, aimed at
providing universal access to banking
Steps Taken to Increase Financial Inclusion:
facilities, basic banking accounts for
● The tectonic shift in financial inclusion savings and remittance and RuPay Debit
came with the introduction of Pradhan card with an in-built accident insurance
Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in cover of Rs. 1,00,000.
August 2014. Issuing licenses for Small ● In the second phase, banks extended
Finance Banks and Payment Banks by RBI overdraft facilities up to Rs. 5000 to Jan
gave further impetus to it. Dhan account holders and created the
● The Ministry of Finance and National Credit Guarantee Fund as well.
Informatics Centre have jointly developed ● These are creditable achievements for the
a mobile app called Jan-Dhan Darshak, country. However, getting a unique
with a view to enable common people in identity, having a bank account and using
locating financial service touch points. digital payments are just the foundations
● With a clear understanding that deep of Financial Inclusion.
penetration at affordable cost is possible
only with effective use of technology, use
Steps needed for achieving the most
of e-KYC to ease the account opening
important objective of true financial
process, use of Aadhar-enabled payment
inclusion:
system for interoperability, support for
demonstrating banking technology ● Financial firms must understand the
(mobile-van fitted with ATM), bringing in market and structure products
all the cooperative banks and Regional accordingly. Since agricultural income is
Rural Banks on CBS platform by NABARD, seasonal and lumpy, while lending to a
and roping in financial technology players farmer, they need to structure a loan
will help in completion of the mission. product where the repayment cycle is
seasonal and not monthly.
● Financial literacy is one area where India
Achievements:
still needs to do a great deal work.
● Almost 80% of adult Indians have bank ● Partnership between the government and
accounts, according to the Global Findex providers of various financial products is
Database published in April 2018. the need of the hour so that risks and
● Financial Inclusion Plan (FIP) has been rewards of working with marginal
implemented in two phases up to August populations are shared.
2018. ● Provide rural communities with additional
and alternative income streams.

Microcredit products, for example, have governance and oversight for sound
the potential to transform the financially banking through the RBI.
weak into micro-entrepreneurs. ● A 16-point formula has been proposed to
● There is a need to include FI as a revive agriculture and link it with allied
mandatory subject at different levels right sectors better than before to double the
from school to higher levels of education. income of farmers in the next two years.
● The incentive to boost the adoption of
fintech by MSME and SME segment is of
Budget 2020-21:
course a welcome move to enable them to
● It exerts more focus on building emerging get easy access to banking and financial
technologies to drive Financial Inclusion in services.
the country. As part of it, knowledge ● The refinance scheme of NABARD has
transfer centres are expected to be set up been extended to NBFCs that are into
across new emerging sectors. agri-related lending. However, the mega
● National Mission on quantum technology challenges are around credit growth and
is proposed to be launched. the resultant liquidity crisis, which has not
● The govt.’s vision is to provide 100% been addressed.
digital access to all public institutions.
Conclusion:
Fibre-to-the-home through BharatNet will
link 100,000 Gram Panchayats in the FY ● At 4-5% growth now, problems appear
2020-21. aplenty but given our favorable
● Another step proposed towards demographics and with the significant
combating financial exclusion is reforms of the past few years such as
mobilizing more and more SHGs. GST, Insolvency code, and the thrust on
Under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana for formalization and digitalization of the
alleviation of poverty, 58 lakh SHGs have economy, we have a solid framework to
been mobilized. build on.
● Through Dhaanya Laxmi Scheme, more
and more SHGs will be assisted by
NABARD. Women SHGs in villages will #4 Rural Infrastructure in Union Budget
distribute seeds to farmers with help of 2020-21
MUDRA scheme.
● Certain amendments to the Banking Introduction:
Regulation Act are proposed for ● The government had launched the
increasing professionalism, enabling National Infrastructure Pipeline on
access to capital and improving December 31, 2019 worth Rs. 103 lakh

crore. It consists of more than 6500 completed by 2022. Developing
projects across sectors and is classified waterways has its impact on the
as per the projects’ size and stage of ecosystem on both the banks of the river.
development. This has been conceptualized as “Arth
● The National Infrastructure Pipeline Ganga”.
envisions improving the ease of living for
each individual in the country. It will also
III. Energy
bring in generic and sectoral reforms in
development, operation and maintenance ● The PM-KUSUM scheme removed
of these infrastructure projects. farmers’ dependence on diesel and
kerosene and linked pump
sets to solar energy.
I. Agriculture
● Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana
● Various provisions in the budget 2020-21 (DDUGJY) was launched in 2015 with two
related to agriculture is mentioned in the components:
first chapter of this summary. ● To separate agriculture and
non-agricultural feeders facilitating
II. Transport and Logistics
judicious rostering of supply to
● Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana agricultural and non-agricultural
(PMGSY) was launched in December 2000 consumers in rural areas and
to provide connectivity to unconnected ● To strengthening and augmentation of
habitations as part of a poverty reduction sub transmission and distribution
strategy. infrastructure in rural areas, including
● The outlay for this budget is only 2.63% metering of distribution
higher than the budget outlet of 2019-20. transformers/feeders/consumers.
The scheme needs to be boosted up and

implemented fast to get the desired
results. ● LPG Connections to Poor Households in
● Logistics – Railways will set up a “Kisan the form of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
Rail’. “Krishi Udan” will be launched. A (PMUY) was launched in May 2016 to
National Logistics Policy will be launched provide 8 crore deposit-free LPG
soon. connections to women of poor
● Inland Waterways – The Jal Vikas Marg households. The scope of PMUY has now
on National Waterway-1 will be been expanded to cover all the poor
completed. Further, the 890 km families in the country subject to fulfilling
Dhubri-Sadiya connectivity will be terms and conditions.

● Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar is 7% higher than the previous outlay.
Yojana in the form of “Saubhagya” was
launched in September 2017. Under
V. Communication/IT
Saubhagya, free electricity connections to
all households (both APL and poor ● The govt.’s vision is that all “public
families) in rural areas and poor families institutions” at gram panchayat level
in urban areas are provided. Rural should be provided with digital
Electrification Corporation (REC) has been connectivity.
designated as nodal agency. ● Mapping of India’s genetic landscape is
● The scheme also provides Solar critical for next generation medicine,
Photovoltaic-based standalone systems agriculture and biodiversity management.
for un-electrified households located in To support this development, the govt. will
remote and inaccessible initiate two new national level science
villages/habitations. schemes to create a comprehensive
database.

IV. Water and Sanitation
VI. Social and Commercial Infrastructure:
● The govt. is proposing comprehensive
measures for one hundred water stressed ● Affordable Housing – Pradhan Mantri
districts. Focused programmes to assure Awas Yojana-Gramin is set up to achieve
safe water (Jal Jeevan Mission) and the objective of “Housing for All” by 2022.
comprehensive sanitation (SBM) have The scheme provides assistance for
been launched to support the health construction of 2.95 crore pucca houses
vision. for eligible rural households by March
● Water Supply – PM had announced Jal 2022 in phases.
Jeevan Mission in August 2019. The govt. ● Education – The new Education Policy will
has approved Rs. 3.60 lakh crore for this be announced soon.
mission.
● Sewage Collection, Treatment and
Conclusion:
Disposal System – Govt. is committed to
Open Defecation Free ● The budget is highly ambitious on the part
(ODF) plus in order to sustain ODF of infrastructure development as it is
behavior and to ensure that no one is left going to absorb Rs. 100 million in the next
behind. five years. However, the budget is
● The total outlay for Dept. of drinking Water revealing the intention and the plans of
and Sanitation is Rs. 21,518 crore, which the govt. are very optimistic but the

allocations for the rural areas are almost force will submit its report within six
on the constant rate. months.
● This needs to be increased. It should be ● Categorising women and children under
focused that the infrastructure the larger budgetary theme of “Caring
development is not urbancentric. Society”, the Finance Minister announced
an allocation of Rs. 35,600 crore for

nutrition-related programmes.
● The gross enrolment ratio of girls across
#5 Budget 2020-21: Rural Economy and
all levels of education is now higher than
Rural Women
boys.
Introduction: ● At elementary level, the enrolment level for
girls is 94.32 per cent as against 89.29 per
● Special focus accorded to the agricultural cent for boys, while at secondary level it is
sector and initiatives to strengthen 81.32 per cent for girls as compared to 78
infrastructure with emphasis on per cent for boys and at higher secondary
implementation with scale and speed level girls have achieved a level of 59.70
have the potential to kick-start a virtuous per cent as compared to 57.54 per cent
cycle of investment, inclusive growth and for boys.
employment.
● The budget has announced a wide
spectrum of interventions through a Budgetary allocation:
robust 16-points action agenda, to ● A sum of Rs.28,600 crore has been set
revitalise the sector and empower aside for programmes specific to women
farmers, especially rural women. for the next fiscal in the Budget.
● The proposed 16 action points will help ● A 14 per cent increase has been seen in
1.5 million farmers, especially rural the year’s Budget allocation as compared
women. to previous year’s budget allocation in the
amount allocated to the Ministry of
‘Caring Society’: Health Benefits to mother Women and Child Welfare.
and child ● The total amount allocated for the social
services sector, which includes nutrition
● The Government announced setting up of and social security and welfare, has been
a task force to recommend steps to lower increased from Rs. 3891.71 crore in
maternal mortality rate, look into the of 2019-21.
age of motherhood and measures for ● The Poshan Abhiyan, which aims to bring
improving in nutrition levels. The task down stunting of children in the age group

of 0-6 years from 38.4 percent to 25 per ● With a strong determination, commitment
cent by 2022, has been a key focus area in and involvement of people and
the ministry. The allocation for the ‘One organisations with philanthropic motive
step Centre’ scheme saw a major boost. and a rational outlook, this problem can
be solved and hurdles can be overcome
The following programmes especially rural
for promoting empowerment of rural
women and child development have been
women.
given a boost in this Budget

● Rashtriya Poshan abhiyan
● ‘One stop Centre’
#6 Rural Resurgence through Trade, Tourism
● Matru Vandana Yojna
and Technology
● Pregnant and lactating women
● Bal Suraksha seva Introduction:
● Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojna
● Mahila Shakti Kendra ● The three Ts, viz. Trade, Tourism and
● The announcements relating to the ‘Blue Technology, play a meaningful role in
Economy’ especially fisheries will benefit boosting rural economic growth. Budget
rural women due to their significant 2020-21 has an emphatic stress on these
participation in the sector. three Ts, both directly and indirectly.
Conclusion: Tapping Trade Potential:
● Rural women are the key agents for ● A critical ingredient in ensuring robust
achieving the transformational economic, trade is to successfully ensure smooth
environmental and social changes connectivity between the area supplying
required for sustainable development. the product and the area demanding it.
● But limited access to credit, healthcare For this purpose, the Budget has
and education are among the many announced the launch of Krishi Udaan.
challenges they face, which are further ● As per Ministry of Commerce and
aggravated by the global food and Industry, agricultural products account for
economic crises and climate change. 12% of India’s total exports.
● Budget 2020-21 has initiated ● Budget has proposed the setting up of a
empowerment programmes for rural Kisan Rail through PPP. It also announced
women that provide a foundation to One Produce One District, i.e. adoption of
nurture the inner strength and self-esteem a product each by a district. It will lead to
for the rural women. an encouragement to specialization of

particular areas in exporting particular identified as iconic sites with onsite
products. museums.
● The intent of the budget to involve youth ● The Budget has announced a museum on
in fishery extension through 3,477 Sagar Numismatics and Trade and four more
Mitras and 500 Fish Farmer Producer museums that will be taken up for
Organisations is a step towards renovation and re-curation, besides,
augmenting fishery exports. support the setting up of a Tribal Museum
● The budget has announced the launching in Ranchi.
of NIRVIK and the Scheme for Reversion ● An innovative proposal is to set up a
of Duties and Taxes. maritime museum in Lothal, the Harappan
● The former will provide higher insurance age maritime site near Ahmedabad, by
coverage, reduction in premium for small Ministry of Shipping.
exporters and simplified procedure for ● As per the Budget a National Logistics
claim settlements, while the later will Policy will be announced. The policy will
digitally refund to exporters, duties and create a single window e-logistics market
taxes levied at the Central, State and local and focus on employment, skills and
levels, such as electricity duties and VAT make MSME competitive.
on fuel used for transportation, which are ● The Budget has announced augmenting
not exempted or refund under any other connectivity through accelerated
existing mechanism. development of highways, including 2500
km access control highways; 9000 km of
economic corridors; 2000 km of coastal
Promoting Tourism:
and land port roads; and 2000 km of
● Statistics released by Ministry of Tourism strategic highways.
show that the number of foreign tourists
visiting India have grown to 1,05,57,929 in
Technology and Integrated Development:
2018.
● In Budget 2020-21, it is proposed to ● The Budget’s vision is to provide digital
establish an Indian Institute of Heritage connectivity to all public institutions at
and Conservation which will have a status Gram Panchayat level such as
of Deemed University. Anganwadis, health and wellness centres
● Five archaeological sites, viz. Rakhigarhi etc.
in Haryana, Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh, ● The target is to achieve Fibre-to-the-Home
Shivsagar in Assam, Dholavira in Gujarat connections through BharatNet. It also
and Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu have been seeks to improve efficiency of sea ports
by using technology.

● The Budget also mentions about creating ● The three Ts entail development within the

a digital platform which would facilitate global, and not merely local, framework.
seamless application and capture of For enhancement of the three Ts, viz.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR); trade, tourism and technology, the budget
establishing a Centre in an Institute of has advocated the three As, viz.
Excellence to work on the complexity and affordability, availability and accessibility.
innovation in the field of IPRs; setting up

of Knowledge Translation Clusters across
different technology sectors; scaling up
Technology Clusters; and mapping India’s
genetic landscape through national level
science schemes.
● A pragmatic approach towards using
technology in providing quality education
has been adopted by the budget. The
budget proposes to start online degree
level full-fledged education programmes
by institutions which are ranked within top
100 in the National Institution Ranking
Framework.

Conclusion:


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ttp://iasexamportal.com/SK-200
GIST OF THE HINDU (Newspaper)

● He said India’s greatest asset is its
VP claims next 10 years to be decade of tremendous diversity, adding, the
youth in India time-tested bonds of unity are deeply
rooted in it. He observed that there is a
● Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has said growing tendency to use technology
the next ten years would be the decade of irresponsibly to spread fake information or
the youth in India. He gave an extramural hate messages.
lecture in the IIT, Madras on the topic, ● The Vice President stressed that the
'India 2020 to 2030: GenY's Vision for the nation's timeless values of empathy with
Decade,' this evening. the people, harmony with nature,
● In his address, he said, India’s population tolerance, non-violence and peaceful
is among the youngest in an ageing world. co-existence must be promoted.
He said the strategy and vision for the ● He highlighted that the pursuit of
education of the youth will decide how excellence and utmost dedication and
successful India will be in converting the devotion to one’s duties and
country’s demographic advantage into a responsibilities are the highest forms of
rich dividend. patriotism.
● The Vice President said a resurgent India Experts suggests need of protocol for
is being witnessed today, driven by the introduction of wild animals
dreams and aspirations of the youth. He ● Days after the Supreme Court
expressed confidence that through their green-lighted the introduction of cheetahs
collective efforts, the dream of an India in India, the top scientist at the laboratory
that is prosperous, inclusive, peaceful and for saving extinct species says it will be a
harmonious can be realised. challenge.

● The court recently gave the nod to the ahead of other currencies with euro as a
National Tiger Conservation Authority to distant second, Professor Hélène Rey,
re-introduce African cheetahs, nearly 10 Lord Bagri Professor of Economics,
years after the plea was made. London Business School, said.
● “The background extinction rates are over ● Ms. Rey was speaking at the
100 to 1,000 times due to reasons like Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India’s 35th
hunting, destruction of habitat and human Commencement Day Annual Lecture in
intervention. Species die out naturally but Mumbai on ‘financial globalisation and
when a species becomes extinct international financial markets’.
unnaturally, it is like murder,” said Mr. ● “One can also see the U.S. as an insurer,
Vasudevan,an expert. since the value of its external dollar
● Mr. Vasudevan said India would need a liabilities such as Treasury bills and U.S.
protocol to introduce wild animals in the government bonds held by the rest of the
country. “The International Union for world tend to appreciate in bad times,
Conservation of Nature has a protocol. It thereby insuring the people holding them,”
has reintroduction specialist groups. It has she said.
template guidelines, but we need to adapt ● As a result, the U.S. gets seigniorage as
them to our needs and we have to develop people from different countries use
for our own species,” he said. dollars, she said, adding that India was
● There is a need to create provisions under one of the most dollarised countries in the
the Wildlife Protection Act for a policy on world, following Brazil, Pakistan and
introduction of wild animals. Otherwise, Indonesia, in the share of imports and
citing this [cheetah introduction], many exports invoiced in dollars.
things can be done. We need to safeguard ● Ms. Rey said that according to a survey by
the interests of other species,” he said. the European Central Bank, the dollar
● One of the successful efforts of dominated 62.2% international debt, 56.3%
Laboratory for the Conservation of international loan and 62.7% global
Endangered Species(LACONES) has been exchange reserves, whereas the euro had
the reintroduction of mouse deer in the acquired much less global market.
wild with its captive breeding programme ● “The dollar is becoming more unstable
in collaboration with the Nehru Zoological over time as the relative size of the U.S.
Park in Hyderabad. shrinks in the world economy while the
stock of dollar liabilities in the rest of the
In terms of invoicing, India is amongst world keep growing,” she added.
the most dollarized countries
New Zealand to expand trade with India if
● India is among the most dollarised the latter does not join RCEP
countries as far as invoicing is concerned,
and by all these measures of ● New Zealand on Thursday said it will look
internationalisation, the dollar is largely forward to a bilateral trade agreement with

India in case New Delhi does not join the presence of such bacteria in the gut as
China-backed mega trade deal RCEP. stool samples represent gut colonisation.
● The Narendra Modi-led government in ● This is the first study from India which has
November decided not to join Regional found indirect evidence of
Comprehensive Economic Partnership colistin-resistant bacteria in the gut and
(RCEP) deal as negotiations failed to was published in the journal Diagnostic
satisfactorily address New Delhi's Microbiology & Infectious Disease.
"outstanding issues and concerns". ● Colistin is the last-resort antibiotic used to
● However, the possibility of India joining the treat highly drug-resistant bacterial
trade pact is open provided its concerns infections.
are addressed by the member nations. ● Colistin-resistant bacteria can be of
● Responding to issues concerning the hospital origin or food origin.
opening of the domestic dairy sector, he Colistin-resistant bacteria of hospital
said New Zealand appreciates the origin do not respond to any of the
concerns of the Indian dairy industry but antibiotics, including carbapenem while
expressed hope that some solutions could colistin-resistant bacteria of food origin
be arrived at through negotiations. will respond to carbapenem.
● Observing that New Zealand was ● The main cause of colistin resistance in
disappointed after India did not join the food is due to the rampant use of colistin
conclusion of the RCEP negotiations, in poultry. Since poultry litter is used as
Parker said the disappointment was not manure to grow vegetables,
only for lost bilateral opportunities but colistin-resistant bacteria are found in
also because the nation believes there is a vegetables as well.
strategic benefit for India of being on the ● In clinical practice, it is the mutation in the
table when the regional trade rules are mgrB gene or other chromosomal genes
made. that confers colistin resistance to
● The RCEP negotiations were launched by Klebsiella bacteria. In their 2018 study, the
leaders from 10 ASEAN member states authors found mgrB gene mutation in food
and six other countries -- India, China, Klebsiella bacteria.
Japan, South Korea, Australia and New ● Till date, there is no evidence to suggest
Zealand during the 21st ASEAN Summit in that the mgrB gene mutation spreads from
Phnom Penh in November 2012. food to human Klebsiella bacteria. The
only colistin resistance mechanism that is
Evidence of colistin resistant bacteria in known to spread from food to human
the gut found in Indian patients Klebsiella bacteria is through mcr gene
transfer.
● A small study involving 65 stool samples ● In light of that, the finding that a large
taken from patients from a single hospital number of individuals carry
in Chennai found 51% of them harbour colistin-resistant bacteria of food origin in
colistin-resistant bacteria. This reflects the the gut is therefore worrying.

India’s fastest women clinches gold in celebration by HRD Ministry will continue
throughout the year.
Khelo India university games
● The Minister said the government has
● India's fastest woman Dutee Chand taken several initiatives since 2014 for the
clinched gold in 100 meters dash while education of the girl child. This is one of
long distance runner Narendra Pratap the reasons for the success of the scheme
Singh bagged his second title at Khelo of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao whereby the
India University Games in Bhubaneswar Gross Enrollment Ratio of girls across all
today. levels of education is now higher than
● The 24-year-old sprinter, representing boys.
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology ● The Minister said that a self-defence
(KIIT), raced ahead to take a massive lead Olympiad will be organized for girls at
within no time. With her competitors school-level on the lines of Yoga
nowhere close to Dutee, the national Olympiad.
record holder bagged gold with a timing of ● He said to ensure safety and security of
11.49 seconds. girls, self-defence training is imparted to
● The second best, S. Dhanalakshmi from girls of class 6 and 12 belonging to
Mangalore University, clocked 11.99 Government Schools.
seconds and S.S. Sneha from Mahatma
Gandhi University clinched the bronze with Centre to review monuments under ASI
a timing of 12.08 seconds.
● The number of monuments under the
Centre launches campaign for Centre’s protection could increase as the
government is planning to conduct a
empowerment of women & girls through
review of those under the Archaeological
education Survey of India (ASI) and the ones
protected by the State governments, Union
● The government has launched a special Minister for Culture Prahlad Singh Patel
campaign to take forward the momentum has said.
of empowerment of girls and women ● At present, 3,691 monuments nationwide
through education. Human Resource are protected by the ASI, with the highest
Development Minister Ramesh Pokhrial number, 745, in Uttar Pradesh, according
Nishank has said the ministry will to his reply in the Lok Sabha on February
celebrate the international women's day in 10.
schools and colleges across the country. ● The list of the Centrally protected
● He said the week-long special monuments had not seen a substantial
theme-based campaign begins from today increase in many years, and important
in the run up to the International Women's sites under the State governments could
Day on 8th of March. The Minister further be added to the list, the Minister said. On
said, as a tribute to women, the the other hand, he added, there were some

monuments that could be removed from bring high quality medical facilities to the
the Central list and placed under the State doorsteps of the common man.
governments. ● Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi
● “The list of centrally protected monuments Palanisamy laid the foundation stone for
can go up to 10,000. In Tamil Nadu alone, the medical college at a well attended
there are about 7,000 temples, many of function in Virudhunagar today afternoon.
which are hundreds of years old. On the He also inaugurated a few drinking water
other hand, there are some monuments projects and distributed benefits under
under the ASI that can be shifted to the various welfare schemes at the function.
State list,” he said. ● Six new medical colleges are coming up in
● The Minister said there were some sites Dindigul, Namakkal. Nilgiris,
that could be moved from the Central list Ramanathapuram, Tiruppur and
allowing development works in their Virudhunagar districts in the initial phase
vicinity. He was referring to the ban on of the scheme to start 11 medical
construction within 100 metres of a colleges in Tamil Nadu.
Centrally protected monument and
regulated construction within 100-200 South Korea to come out with all out
metres under the Ancient Monuments and response against COVID due to high
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,
number of cases
1958.
● In South Korea, President Moon Jae-in has
Centre to deploy officials for systematic said today that the government was
implementation of development projects waging "all-out responses" to contain the
novel coronavirus. He said, the nation will
● The Central government has decided to be able to overcome the COVID-19
depute 1000 officials to the 110 selected outbreak and revive shrunken economy.
aspirational districts to ensure systematic ● South Korea has the largest national total
implementation of development projects. in the world outside China as the country
● This was stated by Union Health Minister added 586 more cases, taking the total to
Dr Harshvardhan, while presiding over the 3,736. The country reported one more
foundation stone laying ceremony of the death today, taking the total death toll to
Virudhunagar Medical College in Tamil 18.
Nadu today. ● Scores of events have been cancelled or
● Dr Harshvardhan pointed out that the postponed over the contagion. South
Centre is providing all help necessary in Korea's central bank has warned of a
the field of health and health education to minus growth in the first quarter, noting
various state governments. He said that the epidemic will hit both consumption
the decision to allocate 11 new medical and exports.
colleges in Tamil Nadu will do a lot to ● The Korea Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention said nearly 90 percent of the

cases were in Daegu, the centre of the ● Rural areas have typically garnered much
country's outbreak, and neighbouring of the attention in terms of development
North Gyeongsang province. and issues surrounding urban
environments have been “sidelined”, the
Study reveals severe water scarcity in authors note.
Himalayan region
VP appeals to Rajya Sabha members to
● Eight towns in the Himalayan region of ensure better attendance
Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Pakistan
were nearly 20%-70% deficient in their ● Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu
water supply, says a survey that appears in today appealed to leaders of all parties
the latest edition of the journal Water and members to ensure better attendance
Policy. in the meetings of Parliamentary
● The researchers surveyed 13 towns Committees.
across these countries to understand the ● He made the observation on an opening
challenges of the urban denizens of these day today of the second part of the Budget
regions. Unplanned urbanisation and Session. He said, the first part of the
climate change are the key factors Budget Session has largely been
responsible for the state of affairs, the purposeful with 96 percent productivity
study underlines. along with quality discussions on the
● The places surveyed are extremely Motion of Thanks to the President's
dependent on springs (ranging between address and the Union Budget for
50% and 100%) for their water, and 2020-21. Mr Naidu hoped that this part of
three-fourths were in urban areas. Under the session would prove to be even more
current trends, the demand-supply gap meaningful.
may double by 2050, the researchers ● Mr Naidu told the members that this
warn. session offers several opportunities to
● “Across the region, the encroachment and raise important issues of larger public
degradation of natural water bodies concern and discuss some major
(springs, ponds, lakes, canals, and rivers) legislative proposals of the government.
and the growing disappearance of ● Making comparison on the attendance, he
traditional water systems (stone spouts, said, the attendance of the Rajya Sabha
wells, and local water tanks) are evident,” members at 52.57 percent continues to be
an accompanying press note underlines. higher than that of Lok Sabha which is
● Although only 3% of the total Hindu Kush 46.37 percent.
Himalayan population lives in larger cities ● On Department Related Standing
and 8% in smaller towns, projections show Committees meetings, he reminded that
that over 50% of the population will be out of 24 Committees, eight were with the
living in cities by 2050, placing Rajya Sabha and the remaining 16 with the
“tremendous stress” on water availability. Lok Sabha. He said, the highest

attendance of 65.51 percent has been

● Global agency OECD on Monday lowered
recorded in the meetings of the
its India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.1%
Committee on Health and Family Welfare.
from the earlier projection of 6.2% for
● Expressing his concern, the Chairman
2020 on concerns of impact of the deadly
said, the sittings of Parliament are steadily
COVID-19 on the domestic as well as the
declining over the years and it is around
global economy.
60 to 70 sittings per year now as against
● The Organisation for Economic
100 to 150 days per year in the 1950s.
Cooperation and Development (OECD)
said the adverse impact on confidence,
EC not to consider state funding of polls
financial markets, travel sector and
disruption to supply chains contributes to
● The Election Commission has informed
the downward revisions in all G20
the Government that it is not in favour of
economies in 2020, particularly ones
state funding of elections, Minister of
strongly interconnected to China.
State for Finance Anurag Thakur told the
● According to the latest OECD Interim
Lok Sabha in a written reply on Monday.
Economic Outlook Forecasts, India’s real
● The commission is of the view that it
GDP growth is expected at 5.1% during the
would not be able to prohibit or check
fiscal year starting April 1, 2020 and will
candidates’ expenditure over and above
improve to 5.6% in the following year.
the state’s provision, he said.
● The National Statistical Office (NSO)
● Mr. Thakur was responding to a question
estimates India’s GDP growth at 5% during
from Congress MP Anumula Revanth
2019-20. OECD has projected the growth
Reddy on whether the government was
at 4.9% for the financial year ending March
mulling the introduction of state funding
2020.
of polls as recommended by the Indrajit
● The report said the coronavirus
Gupta Committee in 1998.
(COVID-19) outbreak had already brought
● That panel had suggested that state
considerable human suffering and major
funding would ensure a level playing field
economic disruption.
for poorer political parties and argued that
● Output contractions in China are being felt
such a move would be in public interest.
around the world, reflecting the key and
● The committee had recommended some
rising role China has in global supply
limitations, saying that state funds should
chains, travel and commodity markets.
only be given to recognised national and
Subsequent outbreaks in other economies
State parties and that funding should be
are having similar effects, albeit on a
given in kind, including free facilities
smaller scale.
provided to these parties and their
candidates. The panel admitted that only
partial funding may be possible. Srilankan president dissolves
parliament,elections to be held in april
OECD lowers India’s growth rate to 5.1%

Citizens will have no implications for its

● Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapksa
people.
has dissolved the parliament and called
● Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla
for general elections on 25th of next
today said the updation of the National
month. A gazette notification issued last
Register of Citizens is a process that is
night said nominations for elections will
entirely internal to India. He was speaking
be received from 12th to 19th of this
at a seminar in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
month.
● Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took
● The gazette was issued under powers
up the issue of NRC with Prime Minister
vested with the President to dissolve the
Narendra Modi during their bilateral
parliament after four and a half years of
meeting in New York in September.
its first sitting. The newly elected
● Bangladesh was apparently upset
parliament will meet on 14th of May.
following the rollout of the National
● The parliament term was ending in August
Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam even
but general elections was called as the
though India conveyed to it that the issue
current government led by Prime minister
was an internal matter of the country.
Mahinda Rajpaksa is a minority
government and expects to gain a majority
Sultan Azlan shah cup postponed due to
in coming elections.
● The previous government led by Ranil corona threat
Wickremsinghe has resigned in November
● The prestigious Azlan Shah Cup hockey
following defeat at the Presidential
tournament has been postponed from
elections where Gotabaya was elected as
April to September this year in the wake of
President defeating Sajith Premadasa.
the novel coronavirus outbreak across the
● Meanwhile, Mr. Premadasa launched a
world.
new political alliance yesterday
● In a statement, the organisers said, the
comprising of five political parties
tournament which was scheduled to be
including some members of United
held in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 11 to 18,
National party (UNP) led by Ranil
will now be held from September 24 to
Wickremsinghe. There is no consensus for
October 3.
symbol of the alliance as UNP camp is
● India, a regular at the event, was not
divided between loyalists of
supposed to participate this year. The
Wickremsinghe and Premadasa.
Azlan Shah Cup is an annual men's
international invitational field hockey
New delhi assures Bangladesh that NRC
tournament. The participating teams in
updation will not have any implication on this edition's tournament were Australia,
them Canada, Japan, hosts Malaysia, Pakistan
and South Korea.
● India has today assured Bangladesh that
the updation of the National Register of

Centre to establish exclusive body for have an implementation agency for ILR
projects.
river linking projects
● The Central government is working on the

establishment of an exclusive body to
implement projects for linking rivers.
● To be called the National Interlinking of
Rivers Authority (NIRA), the proposed
body is expected to take up both
inter-State and intra-State projects. It will
also make arrangements for generating
funds, internally and externally.
● The proposal for an apex body on river
linking has been under discussion for the
past 18 months. However, the official said
that as of now, no specific timeline has

been determined for the constitution of
the Authority. Also, the earlier idea of
framing a Bill, envisaging the creation of
Centre brings in restriction on drug
the NIRA, is not being pursued now. exports
● The subject of establishment of the
Authority was discussed at the last ● India restricted the export of common
meeting of the Special Committee on medicines such as paracetamol and 25
Inter-Linking of Rivers (ILR) last week in other pharmaceutical ingredients and
New Delhi. Headed by Union Minister of drugs made from them on Tuesday, as it
Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the looked to prevent shortages amid
panel includes Irrigation or Water concerns of the COVID-19 outbreak
Resources Ministers and Secretaries of turning into a pandemic.
States. Since its formation, the Committee ● Besides over-the-counter painkiller and
has held 17 meetings. fever reducer paracetamol, drugs
● It is being assisted by a Task Force for ILR, restricted for exports included common
which is a committee of experts antibiotics metronidazole, those used to
essentially drawn from the Jal Shakti treat bacterial and other infections, as well
Ministry, Central Water Commission and as vitamin B1 and B12 ingredients.
the NWDA. ● In February, the Department of
● A Tamil Nadu government official said the Pharmaceuticals asked the DGFT to issue
Centre has not yet shared with States orders restricting the export of 12 APIs
details regarding the new body though it and formulations in the wake of the
has conveyed to them that it is planning to coronavirus outbreak.

● Although India is the source of about 20% 2019-20, which was further reduced to
of the world’s generic drug supply, Rs.2,113.48 crore and Rs.1,416.00 crore
pharmaceutical companies in the country as revised estimates (RE) 2018-19 and RE
are dependent on China for two-thirds of 2019-20 stages, respectively.
the chemical components needed to make ● “The committee notes with dismay the
them. huge mismatch between the projected
● The outbreak of COVID-19 has shut demand for funds and actual allocations
factories in China and impacted supplies, made for the Ministry of Tourism for the
leading to fears of a shortage. years 2018-19 and 2019-20 as well,” the
● India’s API imports, the raw material used report said.
for pharmaceuticals, stand at around $3.5
billion per year, and around 70%, or $2.5 World bank announces aid package to
billion, come from China. combat corona virus outbreak
Parliamentary panel suggests cut in ● World Bank has unveiled a 12 billion dollar

allocation to hurt tourism industry aid package that will provide fast-track
funds to help countries combat the
● The Finance Ministry’s move to cut down coronavirus outbreak.
the budgetary allocation for the Tourism ● World Bank President David Malpass told
Ministry in the upcoming financial year will reporters that the goal is to provide fast,
‘seriously jeopardise’ the targeted tourism effective action that responds to country
outcomes during 2020-21, a Parliamentary needs.
panel has said in its report. ● The funds, some of which are targeted to
● In the Union Budget 2020-21, the Tourism the world's poorest nations, can be used
Ministry has witnessed a reduction in for medical equipment or health services
allocation of funds due to “broad and will include expertise and policy
budgetary cuts imposed by the Ministry of advice.
Finance”, and has been allocated ● Malpass said the money will go to
Rs.2,499.83 crore as against its projected countries that request help. The bank has
demand of Rs.2,647.25 crore, leading to a been in contact with many member
shortfall of Rs.147.42 crore. nations, but he did not specify which are
● Noting that less allocation as compared to likely to be the first to receive aid.
the projected demand was not unique to
FY 2020-21, the panel pointed out that Study finds high levels of black carbon in
against the projected demands of Himalayan glaciers
Rs.4,320.42 crore and Rs.4,612.18 crore
for FY 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. ● Black carbon concentrations near the
● However, the Ministry of Finance provided Gangotri glacier rose 400 times in summer
Rs.2,150.00 crore and Rs.2,189.22 crore in due to forest fires and stubble burning
budget estimates (BE) 2018-19 and BE from agricultural waste, and triggered

glacial melt, says a study by scientists at the last five years in terms of toilet access
the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and usage, ensuring that no one is left
(WIHG). behind. It will also ensure that effective
● The team of scientists from WIHG, led by solid and liquid waste management
P.S. Negi, measured variations of black (SLWM) is instituted in every Gram
carbon concentration at Chirbasa, near the Panchayat of the country.
Gangotri glacier in the Indian Himalaya, ● Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shekhawat
located at an altitude of 3,600 metres, lauded the enormous success of Phase-I
during the year 2016. of the SBM (G) and said that the cabinet
● Black carbon results from the incomplete approval of Phase II is a great recognition
combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. to the significant achievements made
The fine particles absorb light and about a under the mission. It will continue to
million times more energy than carbon generate employment and provide
dioxide. It is said to be the second largest impetus to the rural economy through the
contributor to climate change after CO2. construction of household toilets and
● India is the second largest emitter of black community toilets.
carbon in the world, with emissions ● Union Minister released a study done by
expected to increase dramatically in the the UNICEF and Bill and Melinda Gates
coming decades, says an April 2019 study Foundation (BMGF) on the impact of the
in the journal Atmospheric Research, with SBM(G) on rural women. The study titled
the Indo Gangetic plains said to be the Impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission
largest contributor. (Grameen) on the convenience, safety and
self-respect of women in rural India -
Central government launches second surveyed 6,993 women across the 5
phase of SBM (Grameen) states in February this year.
● These states are Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,
● The Centre has launched the second Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar
phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission Pradesh. The survey indicated that the
(Grameen)- SBM(G) Phase-II. It will be increased access to household toilets has
implemented from 2020-2021 to led to the improvement in the Suvidha,
2024-2025 in a mission mode with an Suraksha and Swabhimaan of women in
outlay of one lakh 40 thousand 881 crore rural India.
rupees.
● Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Supreme court frees trade in
Singh Shekhawat today launched the cryptocurrencies
second phase of the mission at a National
Dissemination and Consultation workshop ● The Supreme Court on Wednesday set
in New Delhi today. aside an April 6, 2018, circular of the
● The second phase will focus on sustaining Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that prohibited
the gains made under the programme in banks and entities regulated by it from

providing services in relation to virtual

● India has remained “steadfast” in its
currencies (VCs).
support for Palestinian rights and has
● “Till date, RBI has not come out with a
consistently voted in favour of Palestine at
stand that any of the entities regulated by
the UN on “15 key resolutions”, said
it namely, nationalised banks/scheduled
members of a key UN body, calling for
commercial banks/cooperative
New Delhi to play an “enhanced” role in
banks/NBFCs, have suffered any loss or
the search for a solution to the
adverse effect directly or indirectly, on
Israel-Palestine conflict.
account of VC exchanges,” a Bench
● “We would like countries like India that
comprising Justices Rohinton Nariman,
have good relations with both Israel and
Aniruddha Bose and V. Ramasubramanian
Palestine, and are also attached to
observed in a 180-page judgment.
multilateral principles, to play a bigger role
● Besides, the court found that the RBI did
in the resolution of the issue,” Cheikh
not consider the availability of alternatives
Niang, Chairman of the committee, who
before issuing the circular.
visited Delhi this week told press persons.
● On November 2, 2017, the Centre
● Mr. Niang explained that part of the
constituted an Inter-Ministerial
reason for the first such country visit by
Committee, which initially recommended
the panel was that India was expected to
the ‘Crypto-token Regulation Bill of 2018’.
become a non-permanent member of the
● This Bill found a complete ban on VCs an
UN Security Council for 2021-22.
“extreme tool” and suggested regulatory
● Asked about India’s recent votes that
measures. At that point, the committee
appeared to support Israel, including one
was even fine with the idea of allowing the
at the UN’s ECOSOC in June 2019 which
sale and purchase of digital crypto assets
ended the consultative status for a
at recognised exchanges.
Palestinian NGO that Israel claimed had
● From a permissive draft Bill, the
terror links,the committee members said
Inter-Ministerial Committee went on to
those actions were not reflective of India’s
recommend a “total ban” on private
stand on the resolution of the
cryptocurrencies through a proposed
Israel-Palestine conflict.
legislation called ‘Banning of
● They pointed to several other votes by
Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official
India, including the UN General Assembly
Digital Currency Act’ in February 2019.
vote,that had sharply criticised the United
● This proposed law contemplated the
States for recognising Jerusalem as the
creation of a digital rupee as official
Israeli capital in December 2017.
currency and a legal tender by the Central
● India had also voted in favour of another
government in consultation with the RBI.
UNGA resolution “deploring the use of
excessive, disproportionate and
India affirms on two-state solution in
indiscriminate force by Israeli forces
Israel-Palestine conflict against Palestinian civilians” in June 2018.

Srilanka to lead BIMSTEC science, ● On March 3, 2020, on the sidelines of the
technology & innovation sector World Wildlife Day celebrations, Global
Coalition for Biodiversity was launched.
● Sri Lanka will lead the science, technology The initiative was launched by the
and innovation sector in the BIMSTEC and European commission. The coalition was
a facility for technology transfer is named “United for Biodiversity”.
planned to be opened in the future. ● The Global Coalition is constituted of
● This was agreed during the 20th Session national parks, aquariums, zoos, botanical
of the senior officials’ meeting chaired by gardens and science museums that are
Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Ravinatha spread all over the world. The Coalition
Aryasinha in Colombo yesterday. A press has called the institutions all over the
statement issued today said, Sri Lanka,will world to join before the Convention on
also appoint a Director to the BIMSTEC Biological Diversity in Kunming, China.
secretariat in June. ● The Convention is to be held in China in
● Foreign Secretary Aryasinha said, Sri October 2020. The coalition has been
Lanka had sought to reinvigorate the welcomed by several organizations
20-year-old organization since it assumed including United Nations Environment
the chair last year. He said, Sri Lanka had Programme.
focused on the need for institutional ● The Coalition cited Intergovernmental
building through the finalization of the Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
BIMSTEC charter and the allocation of Services findings that more than 1 million
defined areas of cooperation among the species are under risk of extinction.
member states. ● The Coalition hence adopted a pledge to
● He added that Sri Lanka scheduled to appeal to visitors of the institutions
hand over the chairmanship to Thailand associated with it to “raise voice for
later this year is keen for cooperation in Nature”.
the fields of trade, investment, technology, ● IPBES is Intergovernmental Science-Policy
tourism and connectivity, ahead of the Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
summit, scheduled later this year. Services. It was established in Panama
● BIMSTEC Secretary General Shahidul City in 2012 by 94 countries. It is not a
Islam emphasized the importance of part of United Nations. However, on the
sectoral meetings for more request of IPBES, the United Nations
comprehensive cooperation and called for Environment Programme provides
the support of all member states on this secretariat services to IPBES.
front, as well as in negotiation on
BIMSTEC free trade area.
EC to consider linking of Aadhaar with
voter ID
European commission launches global
coalition for biodiversity ● The Law Ministry has informed the Lok
Sabha that it has a proposal from the

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Election Commission (EC) to link Aadhaar where appropriate, to aid in the response
with the Election Photo Identity Card to the virus and support the economy
(EPIC) to prepare an error-free electoral during this phase.
roll. ● It said G7 central banks will continue to
● In response to an unstarred question on fulfill their mandates, thus supporting
Wednesday, the Law Ministry said “the price stability and economic growth while
matter is under consideration”. maintaining the resilience of the financial
● “In order to ensure preparation of an system.
error-free electoral roll, and to prevent ● The officials from the world's most
duplication of entries, a proposal to advanced economies Britain, Canada,
amend the Representation of the People France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the
Act, 1951 to enable linking of the electoral United States, however, did not announce
data with the Aadhaar system has been any specific relief measures.
received from the Election Commission,”
the Law Ministry said in its reply. BIMSTEC charter adoption probably in
● One of the arguments being made in next summit claims officials
favour of the move is that it may allow
migrant labour and workers to vote even if ● BIMSTEC charter will be ready for
they are away from their homes at the adoption at its next biennial summit
time of elections. meeting scheduled to be held in Colombo
● Former Chief Election Commissioner H.S. later this year.
Brahma told The Hindu that the process of ● This was informed by BIMSTEC Secretary
seeding Aadhaar with the voter ID card General Mohammad Shahidu Islam during
had started in 2012 during his tenure but his meeting with Sri Lankan Prime
was subsequently stalled because of a Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa last evening.
pending litigation on Aadhaar. ● During the upcoming summit, an
agreement on cooperation in addressing
G7 to use all policy tools to prevent criminal matters and another on
corona risk cooperation between diplomatic training
institutions are expected to be signed.
● Top finance officials from the Group of ● A third agreement would establish a
Seven nations today said they would use BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in
all appropriate policy tools to prevent the Colombo. Other sectors to enhance
new coronavirus outbreak from damaging cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region
economic growth, following the rout on were also discussed, including sharing of
global stock markets last week. intelligence, inter-regional trade,
● After a conference call of finance combating drug trafficking and promoting
ministers and central bankers, the group tourism.
said that G-7 finance ministers are ready ● Under the rationalizing of the sector, Sri
to take actions, including fiscal measures Lanka will be the lead country for science,

technology and innovation, India on ruling in the Pune Municipal Corporation
security, Bangladesh will lead Trade and case of 2014.
Investment, Bhutan on Environment and ● The new Act, which came into existence
Climate Change, Myanmar on Agriculture on January 1, 2014 replaced the colonial
and Food Security, Nepal on 1894 law. The provision said that in such
People-to-People Contact and Thailand on cases, if the physical possession has not
Connectivity. been taken “or” the compensation is not
● BIMSTEC was established in 1997 and paid, the acquisition proceeding is
comprises of Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, “deemed to have lapsed”.
Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan. ● The government, if it so wishes, would
The Secretariat is located in Dhaka, have to initiate “fresh acquisition
Bangladesh. The first Summit was held in proceedings” under the new Act of 2013,
2004. which provides for “fair compensation”.
● Further, the court held that a land
Supreme court uphold land acquisition acquisition proceeding under Section
proceedings under 1894act 24(2) would only lapse if the authorities
have neither taken physical possession
● A Constitution Bench of the Supreme nor paid the compensation due to the
Court on Friday held that land acquisition landowner for five or more years prior to
proceedings under the 1894 Act will not January 1, 2014.
be deemed to have lapsed under Section
24(2) of the Right to Fair Compensation India joins as observer in Indian ocean
and Transparency in Land Acquisition, commission
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013,
if the authorities have tendered the ● India has been approved as an observer
compensation by deposit in the Treasury. state for a five-nation grouping in the
● A five-judge Bench, led by Justice Arun Western Indian Ocean, which includes
Mishra, held that landowners, who had Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles,
refused to accept compensation or who Mauritius and French Reunion.
sought reference for higher compensation, ● The members of the Indian Ocean
cannot claim that the acquisition Commission (IOC) decided on India’s
proceedings had lapsed under Section application at a meeting last week,
24(2) of the 2013 Act. officials said. With the decision, India will
● With this, the Constitution Bench has join China, which was made an observer in
affirmed the February 2018 ruling on 2016, as well as the “International
Section 24 by a three-judge Bench, led by Organisation of the Francophonie” or the
Justice Mishra himself, in the Indore 54-nation French-speaking collective, the
Development Authority case. The Bench European Union (EU) and Malta, which
has overruled an earlier co-ordinate Bench were all admitted in 2017.

● The decision to join the IOC marks a part ● The Minister said, every day, around three
of the government’s push for greater lakh people belonging to poor and middle
salience in the whole Indian Ocean Region class families visit Jan Aushadhi stores to
(IOR), including what is called the Western get affordable and cheaper medicines.
or African Indian Ocean. ● He said, since the 1st of March this year,
● In December 2019, the Ministry of External blood donation camps and seminars have
Affairs decided to include Madagascar, been organized at the Jan Aushadhi
Comoros and Reunion as part of the IOR stores to create awareness among the
(Indian Ocean Region) desk along with Sri people.
Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. ● He urged people to visit the Jan Aushadhi
Subsequently, they have been stores today and listen to Prime Minister
incorporated into one single division under Narendra Modi. The Minister said, it is a
the additional Secretary (Indo-Pacific) misconception that the medicines are
Neena Malhotra. inferior in quality and even Americans are
● The IOC is also significant for its also using them.
geographical location, as the islands sit
around a “key choke-point” in the Indian International conference on Nano science
Ocean — the Mozambique Channel. and Nano technology held in India
● Given China’s growing presence in the
region, India hopes to increase its naval ● On March 5, 2020, the Department of
presence and gain support for its maritime Science of Technology operating under
projects across the Indo-Pacific, beginning Ministry of Science and Technology
at East African shores. organized an International Conference on
Nano-Science and Nano Technology
Generic medicines market share moves (ICONSAT) at Kolkata.
up 6% in last 5 years ● The Conference highlighted the current
need of India in the field of Nano-Science.
● Generic medicines have gained It includes 5Ms namely Material,
momentum in the country with its share Mechanical, Manufacturing, Manpower
shooting to eight percent from two per and Machines. The Conference was
cent in the last five years. attended by more than 450 scientists from
● Talking exclusively to AIR News, Minister all over the world.
of State for Chemical and Fertilizer, ● India started its journey of
Mansukh Mandaviya said, 7th of March of nanotechnology with the launch of “Nano
every year will be observed as 'Jan Science and Technology Initiative” (NSTI)
Aushadi Diwas' and on this occasion, in 2001 for a span of 5 years. In 2007, it
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact was renamed as “Nano Mission”. Nano
with 6200 Jan Aushadhi stores and the Mission had wider objectives and larger
beneficiaries through video conferencing. funding of 250 million USD.

● This effort paid off well with Indian ● Among the recommendations being
researchers publishing more than 23,000 considered is replacing all the forms for
papers in the field in the next 5 years. In various voter services, including
2013, India ranked third in research paper registration of new voters and change of
publication in the field after China and address, with one single form.
USA. ● Another recommendation was to impose a
● Also, the contribution of private firms on “silence period of 48 hours” before polling
Nano Technology has also been minimal. on social media and print media.
India currently works towards producing
10,000 researchers in the field in the next SIT on black money to submit interim
10 years as of 2017. report soon
EC ready with roadmap for revamp ● Special Investigating Team (SIT)

appointed by the Supreme Court to
● The Election Commission of India (ECI) is oversee probe in black money used during
considering new voting methods, capping the last general elections will submit its
the campaign expenditure of political seventh interim report in the next two
parties, online registration of new voters months.
at 17 years and ending social media ● Speaking to media after a high-level
campaigning 48 hours before polling meeting of SIT in Cuttack yesterday, its
among the recommendations proposed by Vice-Chairman Justice Arijit Pashayat said
working groups it set up in June 2019. that a huge amount of cash, jewellery and
● The nine working groups, constituted after drugs were seized by police and income
the Lok Sabha election and comprising tax officials from various states during the
ECI officials and State Chief Electoral 2019 elections.
Officers, had presented their draft ● He said the status of the probe on the
recommendations on February 18. seizure materials during 2019 elections in
● On Saturday, the ECI published 25 of the different states and conviction of
main recommendations and invited criminals was thoroughly discussed at the
comments or suggestions from the public meeting.
till March 31 on the email address: ● The meeting was attended by officials of
coordination@eci.gov.in Enforcement Directorate, CBI, Vigilance,
● “Working groups collated inputs and GST, Finance Ministry, Home Ministry, and
analysed these inputs, and suggested Election Commission of India.
pathways for the future to add value to the
electoral process in the country,” the ECI Defence sector to help country realize
said in the letter inviting suggestions.
goal of 5trillion economy
Among the proposals is to issue electronic
versions of the voter ID card — EPIC — for ● Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said
convenience of voters. defence sector can help in realizing the

vision of making India a five trillion dollar as long as four metres — connecting
economy. organisms known as rangeomorphs,
● He said the National Democratic Alliance which dominated the Earth’s oceans
Government is playing the role of an half-a-billion years ago.
incubator, catalyst, facilitator and ● The study, published in Current Biology,
consumer, without becoming an found these filament networks in seven
impediment in the maturing of the Indian species across nearly 40 different fossil
private sector defence industry. sites in Newfoundland, Canada.
● Delivering a key-note speech at the ● These were some of the most successful
Economic Times Global Business Summit life forms during this period, growing up to
in New Delhi, Mr Singh said, the two metres in height and colonising large
government aims to achieve exports of areas of the sea floor, they said. The
defence goods and services to the tune of rangeomorphs may have been some of
five billion dollars in next five years. the first animals to exist, although their
● He said, all possible support would be strange anatomies have puzzled
extended to the private sector so that they palaeontologists for years.
can contribute significantly to achieving ● These organisms do not appear to have
the target. had mouths, organs or means of moving,
● The Minister said that several important according to the researchers. One
steps have been taken to create a climate suggestion is that they absorbed nutrients
in which the private sector and the public from the water around them, they said.
sector together contribute on the basis of ● Since rangeomorphs could not move and
their respective strengths and experience. are preserved where they lived, it is
● He said, India’s growth story has just possible to analyse whole populations
begun on the back of solid structural from the fossil record. Earlier studies of
reforms and macro-economic stability. rangeomorphs have looked at how these
organisms managed to reproduce and be
Researchers find evidence of social so successful in their time.
network in early animals
Parliamentary panel finds huge
● Some of the first animals on the Earth infrastructural gaps in govt. Schools
were connected by networks of thread-like
filaments which may have been used for ● Almost half the government schools in the
nutrition, communication or reproduction, country do not have electricity or
the earliest evidence yet found of life playgrounds, according to a report
being connected in this way, according to submitted by the parliamentary panel on
a study. education.
● Scientists from the Universities of ● In its report on the 2020-2021 demand for
Cambridge and Oxford in the U.K. grants for school education submitted to
discovered the fossilised threads — some the Rajya Sabha last week, the

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Govt. plans to form 75 lakh SHG’s by
Human Resource Development (HRD)
2022
expressed concern that budgetary
allocations saw a 27% cut from proposals ● The government is planning to create a
made by the School Education total of 75 lakh Self Help Groups by 2022
Department. Despite proposals for to enable more women to get a livelihood.
Rs.82,570 crore, only Rs.59,845 crore was Rural Development Minister Narendra
allocated. Singh Tomar said this while addressing a
● Noting similar 27% reductions for the programme on Women's Empowerment to
central and centrally sponsored schemes mark International Women's Day in New
as well, the panel recommended that Delhi today.
these core schemes get additional funds ● Mr Tomar said, Women’s Self Help Groups
at the revised estimates stage. are the backbone of poverty alleviation
● The panel “expressed dismay” at the stark programmes and the entire focus of the
deficits in the government school Ministry is oriented towards women’s
infrastructure, citing the latest survey emancipation. He said there are over 60
data. Only 56% of schools have electricity, lakh SHGs across the country mobilizing
with the lowest rates in Manipur and more than six crore 73 lakh women.
Madhya Pradesh, where less than 20% ● The Minister said, Government is providing
have access to power. funds and training to them for livelihood
● Less than 57% of schools have missions and linking them with banks for
playgrounds, including less than 30% of easy credit flow.
schools in Odisha and Jammu and ● Mr Tomar said, Government is not only
Kashmir, according to the Unified District supporting women and the rural
Information System for Education (UDISE) population but also providing them with
2017-18 survey. platforms like the Government
● The panel recommended that the HRD e-Marketplace for fetching better prices
Ministry collaborate with the Mahatma for their products.
Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme to construct boundary
Maldives launches inquiry into gender
walls, and work with the Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy to provide solar
discrimination
and other energy sources so that schools
● Maldives Parliament today introduced a
have access to power.
motion to launch an inquiry into systemic
● In government higher secondary schools,
gender discrimination on the occasion of
not a single additional classroom had
International Women’s day. Parliament’s
been built by December 31, 2019, although
deputy speaker Eva Abdulla presented the
1,021 had been sanctioned for the
motion seeking to identify policies, laws
financial year 2019-20.
and systems that are detrimental to
women.

● Noting that women constitute 49 per cent 14,500 animals are left in the wild across
of the country’s population, the motion Nepal, Bhutan, India, China and Myanmar.
stated that putting an end to gender ● Red pandas have been reported from 11
discrimination and facilitating more districts of Arunachal Pradesh, which is
opportunities for women contributes to presumed to hold the largest red panda
the swifter development of the nation. population in the country.
● It called for all necessary steps to ensure ● The researchers found that neither India
gender equality and launching a nor Bhutan had reported any incidences of
parliamentary inquiry to compile a report poaching or illegal trade in Red Pandas in
on systemic gender discrimination in the the study period. “This may indicate that
country and presenting the traditional demand for such products has
recommendations to parliament. reduced over time and might be indicative
● The motion also noted recent efforts to of the success of awareness campaigns
empower women such as the new undertaken in the areas,” the report said,
amendments to the decentralization act indicating that younger people were not
which allocated 33 percent of council keen on using the pelt or meat of the
seats for women. animal.
● In contrast, experts from Nepal reported
Report in wildlife trade reveals drop in about 25 incidences of Red Panda
poaching of red pandas in India poaching, involving approximately 55
animals, and also claimed to have
● The iconic and endangered Red Panda witnessed and/or confirmed reports
(ailurus fulgens) has fewer hunters related to poaching on six occasions
because the younger generations of involving 15 animals.
people across its Himalayan habitat are
losing interest in animal products, a new Study finds lesser fund allocation for
study by wildlife trade monitoring network SC/ST students
TRAFFIC has found.
● However, the reddish-brown arboreal ● After several years of rising trends, the
mammal, not closely related to the iconic Centre has reduced the percentage
black-and-white giant panda, is falling to allocation of funds for education of
traps laid for other animals, such as the schoolchildren from SC and ST
musk deer and wild pigs, the report said. communities as well as for the
● The only living member of the genus north-eastern region in the coming year.
Ailurus, the Red Panda is listed as ● A parliamentary panel expressed concern
‘endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of that any shortage of funds for these
threatened species. The animal has been marginalised communities could be
hunted for meat and fur, besides illegal critical, especially given that more than
capture for the pet trade. An estimated one in five SC and ST students drops out
of school at the secondary level.

● For at least three years, the amounts ● While parties are required to give details
allocated to these groups have been on of all donations above ?20,000, donations
the rise in comparison to total allocations under ?20,000 and those through electoral
for the department. However, the bonds remain anonymous.Of the total
percentage allotted to these communities income from unknown sources, 64% went
dipped in 2020-21. to the BJP and 29% to the Congress.
● Out of a total Rs.59,845 crore allotted to ● “Since a very large percentage of the
the Department of School Education and income of political parties cannot be
Literacy, 17.16% went to the Scheduled traced to the original donor, full details of
Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) in comparison to all donors should be made available for
18.14% the previous year. public scrutiny under the RTI [Right to
● For the tribal sub-plan, the allocation was Information Act],” the ADR said in a
9.8% in comparison to 10.3% the previous statement.
year, while the North Eastern Region (NER)
received 8.7% in comparison to 9.2% the UNCTAD forecasts 15% drop in worldwide
previous year. FDI due to COVID-19
ADR finds majority of party donations ● The rapid spread of the deadly Novel
from unknown sources Coronavirus is expected to take a serious
toll on foreign direct investments
● As much as 67% of donations to national worldwide, with UN economists
parties in 2018-19 came from “unknown forecasting a drop of up to 15 percent.
sources,” an increase from 53% in the ● A fresh report from the United Nations
previous financial year, said a report Conference on Trade, Investment and
released by the Association for Development (UNCTAD) warned that
Democratic Reforms on Monday. regardless of how quickly the COVID-19
● The ADR analysed the income tax returns outbreak lasted, it would significantly drag
and donation statements submitted to the down global FDI, which is a measure of
Election Commission by the BJP, the cross-border private sector investment.
Congress, the Trinamool, the Communist ● Efforts to halt the spread of the virus,
Party of India, the Communist Party of which has killed more than 3,500 people
India (Marxist), the Nationalist Congress and infected more than one lakh people
Party and the BahujanSamaj Party. around the world, have wreaked havoc on
● The BSP declared zero voluntary international business.
contributions, the report said.The total ● The UN agency pointed to estimates that
income of the parties was ?3,749.37 crore, growth in the global economy will slow
of which ?951.66 crore was from known between 0.5 and 1.5 percent this year,
donors.Electoral bonds accounted for 78% depending on whether the outbreak is
of the ?2,512.98-crore income from
unknown sources.

reined in during the first half of this year or ● They also pledge to fight against "human
if it rages through the end of 2020. trafficking and modern slavery and other
forms of exploitation," and to ensure just
UN adopts political declaration on treatment and provide support services
women’s rights for "all women victims of violence."
● United Nations has adopted a Ashraf Ghani sworn in as Afghan
stripped-down political declaration on president for 2nd time
women's rights that seeks to preserve
gains under threat but does not advocate ● Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani was
new ways to ensure progress toward sworn in for a second term today as his
equality. rival Abdullah Abdullah held a parallel
● The declaration was adopted during the inauguration that could plunge the country
64th session of the Commission on the deeper into crisis ahead of peace talks
Status of Women, which has been with the Taliban.
drastically reduced from a two-week affair ● The oath-taking ceremony of Afghan
to a single hours-long meeting because of President Ashraf Ghani was attended by
the global coronavirus outbreak. hundreds of people, including visiting
● Twelve thousand participants were foreign dignitaries, diplomats and senior
originally set to take part. But political figures.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged ● Ghani was declared as the winner of the
member states not to send delegations to election held last September, but Abdullah
New York, and to cancel debates and Abdullah, who disputed the vote, held a
other events surrounding the meeting -- parallel ceremony surrounded by hundreds
the UN's second-largest each year after of supporters.
the General Assembly. ● Meanwhile, the Islamic State terrorist
● Addressing the meeting, the group claimed responsibility for an attack
Secretary-General said, Centuries of today near the presidential palace in
discrimination, deep-rooted patriarchy and Afghanistan where rival presidential
misogyny have created a yawning gender inaugurations were taking place.
power gap in our economies, our political ● IS terrorists targeted the inauguration of
systems and our corporations. Ashraf Ghani, firing 10 rockets near the
● On the question of violence against presidential palace in Kabul.
women -- highlighted by the "MeToo"
movement against sexual abuse -- the India shares genome sequence data of
signatories commit to "eliminating, novel coronavirus
preventing and responding to all forms of
violence and harmful practices against all ● India has finally shared two whole genome
women and girls, in public and private sequence data of the novel coronavirus
spheres, including in digital contexts."

(SARS-CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on sequences with the GISAID. At 70, China
Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). has shared the highest number of
● The two sequences were shared by the sequences.
Pune-based National Institute of Virology. ● The other countries that have shared
This news comes after The Hindu higher number of sequences are the U.S.
reported on March 4 that India has not (22), Australia and Japan (10 each), and
shared any genome sequence data with Singapore and South Korea (eight each).
the GISAID. Nepal, Vietnam and Cambodia have also
● In a tweet on March 6 evening, Newstrain shared one sequence each.
said it has “updated” the database with
“two SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Kerala People in UT ladakh demand better
sampled at the end of January”. It added: constitutional safeguards
“These sequences do not link very closely
to other sequences in the tree.” ● People in the newly-formed Union Territory
of Ladakh are demanding constitutional
safeguards and strengthening of the
already existing Hill Councils in Leh and
Kargil, to ensure protection of the identity,
land, jobs and culture of this region.
● The formation of Ladakh as a Union
Territory, locals claim, has made them
vulnerable to aggressive external
influence, which has forced them to
demand protection at multiple levels.
● Hundreds of locals across political, ethnic
and religious divide marched in Leh last
month demanding constitutional
safeguards for this mountainous region,
which remains cut off from the world for
around six months, as the two main
● The three adults in Kerala who were found highways from Srinagar and Manali are
to be infected with the novel virus had blocked due to heavy snowfall.
returned from Wuhan. The first COVID-19 ● The BJP government in Delhi passed the
patient in India, a medical student who J&K Reorganization Bill in August 2019 in
had returned from Wuhan, was laboratory Parliament through which the special
confirmed by NIV on January 30. Two status to J&K was revoked and the
more adults from Kerala were laboratory erstwhile state was downgraded into two
confirmed by NIV within a couple of days. Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
● So far, 26 countries, including India, have ● “Ladakh should be protected like a
shared 178 SARS-CoV-2 genome museum for the whole country. A law

should be passed which ensures our land, various leadership development training in

culture and jobs are protected. Our Hill the last five years.
Council Acts should be amended to make
them stronger,” Dorje Angchuk, BJP India not to accept limits of farm input
district president, Leh, told. subsidies
● The student community in Leh had also
protested demanding the implementation ● India has ruled out any chances of
of the Sixth Schedule in Ladakh, which will capping input subsidies for irrigation,
ensure jobs and rights for the people of fertilisers and electricity, stating that these
Ladakh. support rural development, food and
Centre claims around 2 crore minority livelihood security of marginal farmers.
women benefitted from government ● Instead, around 60 countries including
schemes China and India have insisted that the
● Around two crore women from minority focus of multilateral trade talks should be
communities have availed the benefits of on addressing product-specific subsidies
various scheme in the last five years. that the US, the EU and Canada give as
Minority Affairs Ministry has said that these allow them more policy space and
government is implementing various cause distortions in global farm trade.
schemes for socio-economic and These are called aggregate measurement
educational empowerment of women of support, or AMS, in trade parlance.
from minority communities. ● Referring to a recent push to advance
● It said, over four lakh women have been negotiations on domestic support with the
provided employment-oriented skill narrative of capping and reducing all
development training through Gharib forms of trade and production distorting
Nawaz Swarojgar Yojna, Seekho Aur domestic support, India said there was no
Kamao yojana and Nai Manzil scheme. question of accepting any limit or
● The Ministry said, one lakh 35 thousand reduction of such support.
women artisans have benefited through ● Reiterating that it is a proponent of a
Hunar Haats during the last three years. sequential approach where developed
● Hunar Haats offer unique opportunities to countries’ maximum permissible level of
young entrepreneurs and aspirants to trade distorting farm subsidies, called final
experiment and explore novel means of bound total AMS, entitlements are capped,
creativity coupled with livelihood. There reduced and eliminated first, India said at
are a large number of women self-help a meeting of heads of delegations to the
groups associated with Hunar Haats. World Trade Organization on Monday:
● The Ministry is also implementing Nai “Only once the playing field is levelled,
Roshni scheme with the objective of should we have a discussion on
leadership development of women disciplining other forms of domestic
belonging to minority communities. About support.”
three lakh women have been provided

Survey finds women disciplined about UNSC approves U.S-Taliban peace

savings and taking charge of their money agreement
● Indian women are actively saving and ● United Nations Security Council has
taking charge of their money, with a unanimously approved a United States'
whopping 68 per cent either managing resolution on the recent deal between the
their own finances or having an equal say US and the Afghan Taliban, a rare
in their families' financial decisions, endorsement of an agreement with a
according to a survey. militant group. The US military has begun
● Only less than 10 per cent women leave withdrawing troops as part of the pullout
the financial decisions to male members agreed in the February 29 pact with the
of the family, said the survey by Scripbox, Taliban.
a provider of online financial services. ● In the resolution, the Security Council
● Majority of the women surveyed were urged the Government of the Islamic
disciplined with monthly savings but only Republic of Afghanistan to advance the
30 percent invested their money in peace process, including by participating
inflation-beating financial instrument -- in intra-Afghan negotiations through a
mutual funds. diverse and inclusive negotiating team
● Breaking other commonly-held composed of Afghan political and civil
misconceptions and stereotypes, the society leaders, including women.
survey found that women are actively ● The United States is keen to end its
embracing independence in personal longest-ever conflict and under the terms
finance matters, aided by ease of access of a deal signed in Doha last month all
to such information through digital foreign forces would quit Afghanistan
channels. within 14 months -- provided the Taliban
● With a growing and active appreciation for stick to their security commitments.
'owning their money', a majority 64 per ● The UN resolution came with Afghanistan
cent respondents said they would like to in political crisis, following the double
advise their younger self to start investing swearing-in on Monday of President
early and make it their business to Ashraf Ghani and his rival and former
understand personal finance and chief executive Abdullah Abdullah, both of
investing. whom claimed victory in last year's
● Further, 31 per cent women said money Presidential election.
management should be part of school
curriculum; nearly 20 per cent cited the Experts suggest no relation between
importance of having open conversations temperature variation and coronavirus
in the home, while 18 per cent said
spread
workplaces should actively promote
financial education.
● With the mercury decreasing over the last
few days and fear of coronavirus looming,

experts have said there is no established ● In a recent judgment by a Bench led by
correlation between the variations in Justice S.K. Kaul, the court stressed that
temperature and spread of COVID-19. right to property is both a human right and
● The experts said COVID-19 spreads a constitutional right — the latter under
through human contact. Mass gathering Article 300A of the Constitution.
has to be avoided and people need to take ● The verdict came on the acquisition of a
precautions like washing hands, they few acres in Sikkim by the State’s
added. Agriculture department in 1980 for
● India has so far reported 43 coronavirus building the Progeny Orchard Regional
cases. According to reports, the number Centre.
of cases of novel coronavirus worldwide ● The land was recorded in two names —
has crossed 110,000 people in 100 1.29 acres in the name of the Maharaja of
countries and territories with more than Sikkim and 7.07 acres in the name of Man
3,800 dead. Bahadur Basnett, who was the father of
● The minimum temperature in the national the original appellant in this case.
capital, which has witnessed a sudden dip ● The judgment found that “in this case, the
in mercury, has been hovering around 11 appellant could not have been forcibly
to 12 degrees Celsius for the last 3-4 days. dispossessed of her property without any
● Dr Kishore Singh, the medical legal sanction”
superintendent of LNJP Hospital of the ● The court gave the State three months’
Delhi government, said coronavirus does time from the date of the judgment for it
not reproduce in warm conditions but its to “make up their mind as to what they
lifespan increases in cold conditions. want to do”. “Would they still like to retain
● "For instance, if it was supposed to live for the land by issuing a proper notification, or
eight hours, it might live for one or two would they like to surrender possession of
days. However, one has the risk of the land. In either eventuality, the question
contracting COVID-19 if one comes in of payment for use and occupation would
close contact with a person who is still arise, which will have to be
affected by it. In case you are having flu determined in accordance with law,” the
symptoms, you need to be cautious and judgment said.
otherwise also if you take precautions, you
will be safe," he explained. Saudi and UAE announces plans to boost
oil production capacity
SC claims forcible dispossession of
property as human rights violation ● Oil prices fell on Wednesday after Saudi
Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
● The Supreme Court has reiterated that announced plans to boost production
forcible dispossession of a person of his capacity and OPEC and the U.S. Energy
private property without due process of Information Administration (EIA) cut oil
law is a violation of human rights.

demand forecasts because of the amendments to the Constitution, by 383
COVID-19 outbreak. votes. Nobody voted against, but 43
● Brent crude was down $1.03, or almost lawmakers abstained. Twenty-four
2.8%, at $36.19 per barrel by 7.25 p.m. lawmakers were absent.
while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) ● If, as Mr. Putin critics expect, the
crude was off 99 cents or 2.9% at $33.37. constitutional court now gives its blessing
● Meanwhile, the Organization of the to the amendment and it is backed in a
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) nationwide vote on April 22, Mr. Putin
said it expected global demand to rise by would have the option to run again for
just 60,000 bpd in 2020, a reduction of President in 2024.
9,20,000 bpd from its previous forecast. ● Kremlin critic and opposition politician
● The U.S. Energy Information Alexei Navalny has said he believes Mr.
Administration (EIA) also said the global Putin will now try to become President for
oil demand is expected to dive by 9,10,000 life.Two people staged lone pickets
bpd in the first quarter due to the outside the State Duma on Wednesday.
coronavirus outbreak.
● Meanwhile opposition parties in India CAG report finds majority wildlife crimes
have said that the fuel prices were at a in country from Rajasthan
15-year low and the government must
pass on the benefit to bring the economy ● On March 6, 2020, the Comptroller and
back on track. Auditor General tabled the report for the
year that ended on 31st March 2018
Russian parliament allows Putin to run (2017-18). The report was tabled in the
for presidential election again in 2024 assembly. According to the report,
between 2014 and 2016, 40% of
● Constitutional changes allowing Vladimir environmental crimes in India were from
Putin to run for President again in 2024 Rajasthan.
sailed through Russia’s lower house of ● The report pointed out that Wildlife Crime
Parliament on Wednesday, opening the Control units were not established in the
way for him to potentially stay in power state. The crimes violated the Forest
until 2036. (Conservation) act and Wildlife Protect
● Mr. Putin, a former KGB officer, is currently Act.
required by the Constitution to step down ● Between 2014 and 2016, the number of
in 2024 when his second sequential and environmental crimes registered in the
fourth presidential term ends. But the country were 15,723 and those registered
amendment would formally reset his in Rajasthan were 6382.
presidential term tally to zero. ● The Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve and
● The 450-seat State Duma, the lower house Sariska Tiger Reserve were not regulated
of Parliament, on Wednesday voted in due to the absence of Local Advisory
favour of the change, along with other Committee. In Ranthambore, 5 out of 10

core areas were not closed during the ● He also launched the National Cyber crime

monsoon season. Training Centre (NCTC) for professional
● The CAG identified several irritants to the quality e-Learning services on cyber crime
wild life in the area. The Abheda Biological investigation to police officers, judges,
Park in Kota had a garbage dumping yard prosecutors and other stakeholders.
nearby. The other concerns were firing ● Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rai
range of the army, industrial areas and emphasized the importance of capacity
slums. building in cyber-crime investigation and
mentioned the Government’s resolve in
Shafali Verma loses top spot in ICC T20 tackling the menace of increasing
rankings cyber-crime.
● He also lauded the role of NCRB
● Indian batting sensation Shafali Verma networking around 16 thousand Police
today lost the top spot in the ICC women's Stations and over 8 thousand higher
T20 International rankings as she slipped Police offices across the country under
to third after managing only two runs in Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and
the World Cup final against Australia in Systems (CCTNS) project.
Melbourne.
● Australia opener Beth Mooney, who hit 78 Social media accounts to be made more
not out in the final on Sunday, jumped two responsive and accountable
spots to number one with 762 points to
her kitty. ● The government is finalising the
● New Zealand's Suzie Bates with 750 ‘intermediaries guidelines’ to make the
points remained in second position while social media platforms, including
India vice-captain Mandhana moved down Facebook and Twitter, more responsive
a spot to be ranked seventh, Rodrigues and accountable.
remained static on ninth. ● “The Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology is in the process
Centre launches new Crime Multi Agency of amending the Information Technology
Centre (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011, to
make the social media platforms more
● Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai responsive and accountable.
has launched the Crime Multi Agency ● The rules are being finalised,” Minister of
Centre (Cri-MAC) for sharing of State for Electronics and IT Sanjay Dhotre
information on heinous crime and other said in a written reply to the RajyaSabha.
issues related to inter-state coordination. ● The government had first released the
● MrRai launched the Centre at a function draft for proposed amendments to the IT
organised on the occasion of 35th Act in December 2018, inviting public
Inception Day of the National Crime comments.
Records Bureau (NCRB) yesterday.

● It proposed to make it mandatory for ● “It is precisely with the view to retaining
platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook depositors’ confidence in private banks
and Twitter to trace the “originator” of and their mitigating their hardship that,
“unlawful” information and remove such after the imposition of moratorium on Yes
content within 24 hours of notice. Bank Ltd., the RBI has drawn up the draft
scheme without any delay, and we are
RBI asks states not to shift deposits from making every effort for the finalisation of
private banks the scheme,” RBI said.
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked India to assist Maldives tackle COVID-19

all State governments to refrain from
shifting their deposits from private sector ● India is providing assistance to the
banks to government banks. Maldives to tackle the COVID-19 crisis as
● The move came after the Maharashtra the neighboring country declared a state
government directed all its departments, of public health emergency to fight the
civic bodies and semi-government situation.
corporations not to transact with private ● High Commission of India in Male said
banks after private sector lender Yes Bank that a team of health experts from India
was put on moratorium last week. will be reaching tomorrow to assist the
● Observing that some other State Maldives' health care workers in the fight
governments were also contemplating against Covid-19.
such a move, the RBI, in a strongly-worded ● The team will consist of anesthesiologists,
letter to all chief secretaries of the States, pulmonologists, physicians and lab
said apprehension regarding safety of technicians. The statement said that the
deposits in private sector banks was government will also donate essential
highly misplaced and such reactions medicines required for treatment despite
would not be in the interest of the financial the temporary export ban by India, as a
stability of the banking system. “We special goodwill gesture to government
strongly believe that such a move can and people of Maldives.
have banking and financial sector stability ● Meanwhile, the country’s Election
implications,” the letter said. Commission is expected to take a
● “We would like to point out that the decision on postponing the upcoming
Reserve Bank has adequate powers to local council and women's development
regulate and supervise private sector committee elections scheduled for the 3rd
banks and by using these powers it has of next month.
ensured depositors’ money is entirely ● Vice-President of the Elections
safe. It is pertinent to mention that the Commission Ahmed Akram said a
resolution of weak private sector banks in decision will be taken after discussions
the past has been done in a manner that with the Covid-19 monitoring committee.
the depositors are not put at a loss.

India delivers rice to flood hit ● The PEMFC is a system with 10 KW
capacity. They have operational advantage
Madagascar
to operate at low-temperature in
● Indian Ambassador to Madagascar Abhay decentralized systems of power
Kumar has handed over 600 tonnes of rice generation.
on behalf of the Government of India to ● The technology was developed at Chennai
theMadagascar Foreign Minister centre of ARCI. The system is to be used
TehindrazanariveloDjacobaLiva for quick to operate early warning systems using
relief to the flood victims. phones, ethernet, computers,FAX,etc.
● Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shardul arrived in ● The technology is to act as power house
Madagascar at Port Antsiranana on 10th to Emergency Operation Centres. The
of this month carrying rice for the people Control Rooms that respond to disasters
of Madagascar. The rice will be distributed are now being altered as
to the people affected by cyclone Diane EmergencyOperation Centres. Therefore,
that hit Madagascar coast in January this the technology has come in at the right
year. time. It provides immediate support during
● Earlier, on 30th January, INS Airavat Golden Hour.
brought immediate relief material. India ● They operate using hydrogen gas and
was the first country to respond during there is no necessity to use grid
devastation caused by Cyclone. power.The Fuel cell uses chemical energy
● Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador to generate electricity. It consists of 2
Kumar said that the rice was brought to electrodes called anode and cathode.
Madagascar so that the relief could be ● It also holds an electrolyte that acts as
delivered by us for our brothers and catalyst to speed up reactions at
sisters in the Indian ocean. electrodes. The main advantage of fuel
● The Foreign Minister of Madagascar cell is that it creates minimum waste
stated that the assistance is historic and (pollution).
proves the excellent relationship of
Madagascar and India and that a friend in Government notifies new POCSO rules
need is a friend indeed. with stringent punishments
Scientists develop fuel cell technology ● The Centre has notified the Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences Rules,
for disaster management
2020 which enables implementation of
● The scientists of ARCI (Advanced recent amendments to the Act under
Research for Powder Metallurgy and New which provisions of punishment for child
Materials) recently developed PEMFC abuse has been made more stringent.
(Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel ● Some of the significant additions in the
Cells).The technology is to be used to new rules include provision of mandatory
manage Natural Disasters. police verification of staff in schools and

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care homes, procedures to report sexual Government notifies masks and
abuse material (pornography), imparting
sanitisers as essential commodities
age-appropriate child rights education
among others. ● Masks and hand sanitisers have been
● For crackdown on child pornography, the declared as essential commodities due to
rules state that any person who has their shortage in the wake of the COVID-19
received any pornographic material outbreak.
involving a child or any information ● On Friday, the Centre notified an order
regarding such pornographic material under the Essential Commodities Act,
being stored, possessed, distributed, 1955 to declare 2 ply and 3 ply surgical
circulated, transmitted, facilitated, masks, N95 masks and hand sanitisers as
propagated or displayed, or is likely to be essential commodities till June 30, 2020.
distributed, facilitated or transmitted in It has also issued an advisory under the
any manner shall report the contents to Legal Metrology Act, so that States can
the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) or ensure these items are not sold for more
police, or the cybercrime portal. than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP).
● The rules said, the report shall include the ● It has been noted that these products are
details of the device in which such “either not available with most of the
pornographic content was noticed and the vendors in the market or are available with
suspected device from which such great difficulty at exorbitant prices,” said a
content was received including the statement from the Consumer Affairs
platform on which the content was Department.
displayed. ● The decision would empower the States
● Under the rules, the State Governments and the Central government to regulate
have been asked to formulate a child production, quality, distribution and sale of
protection policy based on the principle of these items, and carry out operations
zero-tolerance to violence against children, against those involved in speculation,
which shall be adopted by all institutions, overpricing and black marketing.
organizations, or any other agency ● An offender under the Essential
working with, or coming in contact with Commodities Act can be punished with
children. imprisonment up to seven years, or a fine,
● Under the new rules, any institution or both.
housing children or coming in regular
contact with children, including schools,
Centre approves reconstruction scheme
creches, sports academies or any other
facility for children must ensure a police
for YES bank
verification and background check on
● The Union Cabinet has approved a
periodic basis of every staff.
reconstruction scheme for Yes Bank as
proposed by the Reserve Bank of India.
Giving details about the scheme after the

Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala the pandemic.”Mr. Tedros was speaking at

Sitharaman said that State Bank of India news conference held virtually.
will invest 49 percent equity in Yes Bank ● “More cases are now being reported every
with other investors also being invited. day than were reported in China at the
● She said the scheme has been approved height of its epidemic,” he said, referring to
with the objective of protecting the the global numbers.The death toll passing
interest of depositors and providing 5,000 was “a tragic milestone”, said Mr.
stability to Yes Bank as well as to the Tedros.
entire financial system. ● Maria Van Kerkhove, who heads the
● She said, the moratorium on withdrawals WHO’s emerging diseases unit, meanwhile
from Yes bank will be lifted within 3 days warned it was “impossible for us to say
of notification of the reconstruction when this will peak globally”.
scheme, while its board will be in place in ● “You can’t fight a virus if you don’t know
seven days. On the 5th of this month, the where it is,” said Mr. Tedros, calling on
RBI imposed the moratorium, restricting countries to “find, isolate, test and treat
withdrawals to 50 thousand rupees per every case, to break the chains of
depositor till the 3rd of April. transmission.”
● She also said that there will be a three
year lock-in period for all the investors but Scientists develop new solar receiver
in case of SBI, the lock-in period would be tube technology
only for 26 percent of the shareholding.
She also said that authorised capital of ● Scientists from ARCI-International
the lender has been raised from 1100 Advanced Research Centre for Powder
crore rupees to 6200 crore rupees to Metallurgy and New Materials operating
accommodate immediate and subsequent under DST (Department of Science and
raising of capital requirements. Technology), Ministry of Science &
Technology have developed cost effective
WHO claims Europe as epicenter of solar receiver tube technology.
Pandemic ● The tubes developed absorbs solar energy
and converts the heat to required
● The World Health Organization said on application. They provide high resistance
Friday that Europe was now the to corrosion especially to Indian weather
“epicentre” for the global coronavirus conditions.
pandemic — and warned it was impossible ● The Technology is a wet chemical process
to know when the outbreak would peak. that is used to coat stainless steel tubes
● The continent had now “more reported that are used in industrial heat
cases and deaths than the rest of the applications.
world combined, apart from China”, said ● The tubes manufactured by this
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. technology absorbs 93% of radiant energy
“Europe has now become the epicentre of and 14% of emittance. Emittance is the

amount of light emitted by an area of a India-Bangladesh border will also be
radiating surface. suspended.
● The invention of the technology is highly ● India has suspended movements of all
important as the Indian Industries are types of passengers through the
currently importing high end international border points with Pakistan
Concentrating Solar Panel receivers for from March 16 midnight in wake of the
CST (concentrating solar Technologies). threat from the novel coronavirus
The technology will help India achieve its pandemic.
solar energy target of 100 GW by 2022. ● The order said that diplomats and UN
personnel having valid visas may be
Preventive restrictions put across the allowed through the Attari crossing point
country to prevent COVID spread along the India-Pakistan border. However,
they would be subjected to health
● The number of coronavirus cases in India screening and, if required, they may be
rises to 81, which includes one death each subjected to quarantine.
from Delhi and Karnataka. Researchers,
studying the coronavirus, report that the PM assures restoration of statehood in
time between cases in a chain of Jammu & Kashmir
transmission is less than a week, and over
10 percent of patients are infected by ● Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday
someone who has the virus but does not said the government would work with all
show symptoms yet. sections of the population in Jammu and
● Preventive restrictions have been put in Kashmir to restore its statehood “at an
place across the country to restrict the early opportunity”.
spread of the novel coronavirus. Rajasthan ● A 24-member delegation of the newly
Government has decided to keep close all formed Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party,
schools, colleges, coaching centers, gyms, led by its leader Altaf Bukhari, called on
cinemas and theaters etc. till March 30. Mr. Modi at his residence here on Saturday
● The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has evening, and discussed various issues
ordered the closure of all but 20 such as concerns about demographic
immigration land check posts in eastern changes, the delimitation exercise and the
and northern India from Saturday midnight grant of domicile, officials said.
in order to prevent the spread of ● The Prime Minister called for janbhagidari
COVID-19. (people’s participation) in transforming the
● However, the curbs on the Indo-Nepal and Union Territory, and emphasised the
Indo-Bhutan borders are applicable “only importance of an administration that gave
for third country nationals and not to voice to the people. He noted that
Indian nationals or nationals of Nepal or democracy in the region could be
Bhutan.” The border markets on the strengthened through a fast-moving

process of political integration, the possible causes for Post-harvest losses
statement said. are faulty handling practices, inordinate
● Extending full support of the government delay in packing and transportation, lack
to resolve all issues being faced by the of proper cold storage facilities, and lack
people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Modi of technological know-how for harvesting
assured the delegation that the Centre fishes.
was committed to the region’s economic ● The Committee also recommended
development through extensive focus on modernising the existing harbours and
infrastructure development and creating establish more cold storage facilities and
new investment opportunities in sectors ensure availability of more refrigerated
such as tourism. trucks and vans for transportation of
● The delegation thanked the Prime Minister fishes.
for his “unstinted support” and “untiring ● The panel also urged the Government to
efforts” towards the development of the allocate sufficient funds to the
Union Territory, and appreciated the Department so that the Post-harvest
efforts of the government, security losses can be minimized thereby
agencies and the people of Jammu & safeguarding the interest of various
Kashmir towards maintaining peace and stakeholders in the Fisheries Sector.
security in the region, the statement said.
● Mr. Bukhari said the Prime Minister heard Scientists develop new hydrophobic
them patiently and promised to make all coating that can protect metallic surfaces
Central laws applicable in the Union
Territory. The team requested Mr. Modi to ● Fascinated by the beauty of water rolling
release all leaders from detention, he said. off a lotus leaf, a team of chemical
engineers has now created a similar
Parliamentary panel reports around superhydrophobic coating that can be
60000cr post-harvest losses to used to save steel from rusting.
fishermen ● The team from the Indian Institute of
Technology (Indian School of Mines),
● A parliamentary panel has observed that Dhanbad, and Ohio State University used
Fisheries Sector suffers from very high polyurethane and silicon dioxide
Post-harvest losses. nanoparticles to create the coating which
● It says that for Marine Fisheries the losses can be easily spin-coated on steel.
stand at 15,000 crore rupees and ● The team also tried different methods for
combined losses for both Marine and the application of the coat on steel and
Inland Fisheries, the losses stand at 61 found that spin coating was advantageous
thousand crore rupees. and cost-effective compared to immersion
● Chairperson to the standing committee on coating and spray coating. Spin coating
Agriculture, P.C. Gaddigoudar said in a dried quickly and the thickness of the coat
report to the Lok Sabha recently that the could be controlled easily.

● The surface of the coating was found to complete shutdown of courts in the wake
have superhydrophobic property. The of the COVID-19 outbreak.
coating was also chemically stable in both ● The CJI explained that as virtual courts
acidic (pH 5) and alkaline (pH 8) are on the verge of commencement, there
conditions for more than six weeks. It also can only be a possibility of limited
exhibited thermal stability up to 230 shutdown at present. The court is
degree C. reopening on March 16 after the Holi
● The mechanical stability of the coating break.
was tested with water jet, floating, ● Justice Bobde further clarified that any
bending, sand abrasion tests and was demand of the Bar and Bench would be
found to be highly stable. subordinated to the medical advice drawn
● Another useful property exhibited by the at the meeting attended by doctors.
coating was of self-cleaning. When water ● It was also clarified that the cause list has
droplets were made to fall on an uncoated already been published for March 16 and
surface they stuck to it and made a messy hence the medical advice that had been
surface. sought has to be complied with to
● However, in the case of a coated sample, facilitate the functioning of the apex court.
water droplets roll away while collecting ● A common medical advice issued by the
dust from the surface. medical experts relates to entrants to the
apex court declaring if they have travelled
Achanta Sharath wins Oman men’s title abroad or are showing any symptoms of
COVID-19.
● Ace Indian paddler Achanta Sharath ● Justice Chandrachud, chairman of the
Kamal wins the ITTF Challenger Plus e-committee, assured that very soon the
Oman Open. The 37-year-old Indian “people-to-people” contact will be reduced
veteran beat top-seeded Marcos Freitas of by introducing court proceedings via
Portugal 4-2 in the final played in Muscat videoconferencing. He said e-filings could
on Sunday evening. be made any time of the day and court
● Earlier, in the semi-final today, proceedings and filing procedures would
fourth-seeded Achanta pulled off a soon go digital and paperless.
stunning seven-set victory against
Russia's Kirill Skachkov, 11-13, 11-13, Govt. says MPLAD scheme fund remains
13-11, 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7. unspent
CJI rules out shutdown of courts ● A cumulative amount of Rs 5,275.24 crore

remained unspent under Members of
● An urgent meeting was called by Chief Parliament Local Area Development
Justice of India (CJI) Sharad A. Bobde on (MPLAD) scheme as on March 4, 2020,
Sunday to clarify that there cannot be a Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

● The government released Rs 53,704.75 intermediates or raw materials to reduce
crore under MPLAD scheme out of which dependency on China due to the
Rs 51,267.75 crore was spent as on March coronavirus outbreak.
4, 2020, Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh ● In a letter to its members, AEPC Chairman
said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. A Sakthivel said that he has approached
● As per the data given by the Ministry of the government to direct Indian
Statistics & Programme Rs 5,275.24 was embassies abroad to identify alternate
the "unspent fund" as on March 4. sources of input suppliers.
● Under MPLAD scheme, each Member of ● "We have advised our members to
Parliament has the choice to suggest to diversify their sourcing base given that the
the District Collector for development supply chain from China is disrupted," he
works to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annum said.
to be taken up in his/her constituency. ● He also said that the council has identified
● Rajya Sabha MPs can recommend works top 10 apparel product lines or items each
in one or more districts in the State from in the US, the EU, Japan and South Korea
where he/she has been elected. The which are showing significant decline in
nominated members of the Lok Sabha and imports from China.
Rajya Sabha may select any one or more ● "These items can work as new
districts from any one State for opportunities for local apparel exporters
implementation of their choice of work who have the potential to fill the gap," he
under the scheme. said.
● "Given the nature and dynamics of the ● Sakthivel also urged members to spread
scheme, unspent balances are bound to health awareness about coronavirus
exist at any given point of time, as the among its workforce at their factories.
funds released under the scheme are
non-lapsable and the funds received by a UN chief urges governments to work
district in a particular year can be utilized together to prevent global recession
in the subsequent financial year(s) also.
● "Moreover, unspent balance is not an ● UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday
unused fund but also includes the funds in urged governments to work together to
pipeline for implementation of ongoing stop the coronavirus pandemic from
works," the Minister of State for Statistics plunging the global economy into
& Programme Implementation said. recession.
● "No country can face it alone," the
Export body recommends reduced secretary general wrote in an opinion
dependence on China article in the Publico daily.
● "More than ever, governments must
● The Apparel Export Promotion Council cooperate to revitalise economies, expand
(AEPC) has advised its members to public investment, promote trade and
explore more markets for buying ensure that people and communities

affected by the disease are supported," he that were above the image's background
said. levels.
● The virus was "infecting the global ● The researchers looked for nearby pairs or
economy," he said.The pandemic had triplets of detected objects to help
created a "real and growing risk of a global determine where the object would appear
recession," the former Portuguese premier on subsequent nights.
said. ● With the 7 billion dots whittled down to a
● The International Monetary Fund, which list of around 400 candidates that were
releases its updated outlook on the world seen over at least six nights of
economy next month, has said that the observation, the researchers then had to
severity of the slowdown will depend on verify their results.
how long the virus outbreak lasts and how ● The researchers are rerunning their
governments respond analysis on the entire DES dataset with a
● In January the fund was still projecting lower threshold for object detection at the
world GDP growth of 3.3 percent, but that first filtering stage.
was before global disruptions, shutdowns ● This observatory will survey the entire
and plunging oil prices. southern sky and will be able to detect
● Coronavirus has infected close to 160,000 even fainter and more distant objects than
people worldwide and killed more than DES.
6,000, according to the latest AFP tally of
official figures. President nominates former CJI to Rajya
Sabha
Study finds new minor planets at the
edge of solar system ● President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday
nominated former Chief Justice of India
● Astronomers have discovered 139 new (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi to the Rajya Sabha.
trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) -- minor ● “In exercise of the powers conferred by
planets located in the far reaches of the sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of Article 80
solar system. of the Constitution of India, read with
● The study, published in The Astrophysical clause (3) of that article, President is
Journal Supplement Series, also describes pleased to nominate Shri Ranjan Gogoi to
a new approach for finding similar types Council of States to fill the vacancy
of objects, and could aid future searches caused due to the retirement of one of the
for the hypothetical Planet Nine and other nominated members [K.T.S. Tulsi],” the
undiscovered planets. Home Ministry said in its notification.
● Using the first four years of data from ● Justice Gogoi, who retired in November,
Dark Energy Survey (DES), graduate headed the five-judge Bench that delivered
student Pedro Bernardinelli started with a the verdict in the Ayodhya land title
dataset of seven billion "dots," all of the dispute on November 9.
possible objects detected by the software

● Soon after the unanimous verdict was ● Mr Pokhrial also said that proposals for
delivered, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas are
had lauded the judiciary for bringing an considered only when received in the
end to the decades-old Ayodhya land title prescribed proforma from the District
dispute. Administration through the State
● “The picture says it all,” tweeted Congress Government concerned.
communications chief Randeep Surjewala ● The proposals received from various
with two screenshots: Justice Gogoi’s sponsoring authorities for opening of new
nomination to the Rajya Sabha and a news Kendriya Vidyalayas also have to compete
headline, “India’s judiciary is facing an among other proposals under the
increasing lack of trust by the public”. Challenge Method. He also said that there
are 1,227 Kendriya Vidyalayas functioning
HRD ministry claims support to states via in the country and three abroad.
Samagra Shiksha Yojana ● As for as the Navodaya Vidyalaya Scheme,
the Minister said, there are 645 functional
● Human Resource Development Minister Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) in
Ramesh Pokhrial Nishank has said that the country.
Central Government is providing support ● The scheme provides for opening of one
to the States and UTs through Samagra Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in
Shiksha Yojana for implementing the each district of the country for providing
various provisions of the RTE Act, good quality education to children
including opening or strengthening of predominantly from the rural areas.
schools.
● In a written reply to a question in the Lok Labour ministry claims growth in
Sabha today, the Minister also said that employment in major sectors
under erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
(SSA), till 2017-18 and Samagra Shiksha ● Minister of Labour and Employment
effective from 2018-19, sanction has been Santosh Kumar Gangwar today informed
given for 3.64 lakh new elementary the Lok Sabha that except the
schools out of which States and UTs have Construction Sector, all major sectors
reported the opening of 3.60 lakh schools. have shown growth in employment in the
● He also said, under erstwhile Rashtriya country.
Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), till ● While replying to a question, the Minister
2017-18 and Samagra Shiksha effective further said that Labour Bureau initiated
from 2018-19, 12994 new secondary Revamped Quarterly Employment Survey
schools have been sanctioned, out of (QES) in April, 2016 by extending scope
which States and UTs have reported the and coverage with the objective to
opening of 12423 new schools, till 31st measure the relative change in
December last year. employment situation over successive
quarters in the sizeable segment of

Non-farm Industrial economy covering to day supervision, will be by Mahakali
eight major sectors including Municipality, Dharchula and Mukhiyapatti
Manufacturing, Construction, Trade, Musharniya Rural Municipality, Dhanusha.
Transport, Education, Health, ● The Government of India has also
Accommodation and Restaurants and committed an amount of 33.05 million
IT/BPO having 10 or more workers. Nepali Rupees for the construction of new
● The Minister also said that there has been school buildings for Shivbhari School,
a total positive change in employment Maharajganj Municipality in Kapilvastu
from April 2016 to October 2017 to the district.
tune of 6.16 lakh workers in the selected ● The Embassy of India handed over a
eight sectors of the economy. cheque of 8.26 million Nepali Rupees as
the first installment of its total
India provides aid for construction of commitment to the District Coordination
school buildings in Nepal Committee Kapilvastu.
● The Government of India will provide

107.01 million Nepali Rupees for three
new school buildings in Nepal. The
schools will be constructed in Darchula,
Dhanusha and Kapilvastu districts.
● The Embassy of India and Nepal’s Ministry
of Federal Affairs and General
Administration signed Memorandum of
Understandings (MoUs) with Mahakali
Municipality, Darchula and Mukhiyapatti
Musharniya Rural Municipality, Dhanusha
in Kathmandu today for the construction
of two new school buildings.
● These schools will be built under the
India-Nepal Development Partnership G7 offers support to economies affected
program at a total estimated cost of 73.96
by COVID
million Nepali Rupees. The new
infrastructure will be used by Shree ● Leaders of the G7 advanced economies
Mallikarjun Higher Secondary School at have pledged to use all their tools to
Dhap in Darchula district and Baidyanath safeguard the economy and help workers
Devnarayan Public Higher Secondary hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.
School at Tulsiyahi in Dhanusha district. ● As the outbreak caused more countries to
● The Government of India will provide shut down and brought the global
funds while construction work, including a economy to a screeching halt, the leaders
call for tender, the award of work and day

stressed the need to join forces and move tickets cost 55 million dollars, and one
quickly to address the damage. seat has already been booked.
● The G7 leaders said in a statement ● According to The Verge, this is the second
following an emergency video conference space tourism project announced by
that the Group resolved to coordinate SpaceX this year, as just last month the
measures and do whatever it takes, using company unveiled that it would be
all policy tools, to achieve strong growth in collaborating with Space Adventures to
the G7 economies and to safeguard launch four private citizens on a mission
against downside risks. that would circumnavigate the Earth's
● The measures are aimed to support orbit.
immediately and as much as necessary
the workers, companies, and sectors most SC clears way for permanent commission
affected. for women in Navy
● The leaders called on global institutions
like the International Monetary Fund to ● Maintaining that women and men officers
"swiftly" deploy financial assistance to the should be treated equally, the Supreme
needy countries. Court today cleared permanent
commission for women in the Navy and
Space -X to launch space tourists to ISS asked the Centre to complete the
next year modalities within three months.
● A bench headed by Justice D Y
● Elon Musk-led private space launch Chandrachud said, there cannot be any
company SpaceX plans to send three excuses for not granting gender equality in
tourists to the International Space Station the armed forces and a level playing field
(ISS).The 10-day long space voyage would is needed. It said, denying permanent
take place sometime around the end of commission to women officers who have
2021, reported The Verge. served the nation would result in a serious
● The tourists will be shot into orbit in a miscarriage of justice.
Crew Dragon space capsule sitting atop a ● The bench, also comprising Justice Ajay
Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Rastogi, rejected the Centre's stand that
● The logistics of the trip would be sea sailing duties cannot be granted to
managed by Axiom Space, a Houston SSC (Short Service Commission) women
Based startup which recently signed up officers in the Navy as its Russian vessels
with SpaceX for the space tourism project. do not have washrooms for them.
● Although private tourists have already ● Such arguments, the court said, are
spent time aboard the ISS, this would be contrary to the Centre's policy of 1991 and
the first time that such a trip is being fully 1998 which lifted the statutory bar on the
organised by private companies. induction of women officers in the Navy.
● The Verge cited The New York Times, ● The bench quashed the prospective effect
according to which, each of the total three of the policy barring women officers

inducted before 2008 from being granted and two and three meetings in West
permanent commission in the Navy. It also Bengal and Gujarat respectively.
granted pension benefits to women ● Similarly, the district-level committees
officers who have retired and were not mandated by the rules had held no
granted permanent commission. meetings in three years in Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
No meeting of SC/ST panels in majority Nagaland, Sikkim, Chandigarh, Dadra &
states for 3 years Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi,
Lakshadweep and Puducherry, the data
● The State-level committees of 25 States showed.
and Union Territories, meant to monitor
the implementation of the Scheduled Finance ministry moots amendment to
Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention competition law for regulating etailers
of Atrocities) Act, 1989, had not met even
once in three years — 2016, 2017 and ● Competition law for greater regulation of
2018, according to information provided e-commerce platforms and ensure that
by the Union Social Justice and presence of etailers has no severe impact
Empowerment Ministry to Parliament on on local jobs.
Tuesday. ● Responding to a series of queries on this
● Replying to a question by DMK MP D. issue during the Question Hour, Corporate
Ravikumar, Social Justice and Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said
Empowerment Minister Thawarchand in Rajya Sabha that the cabinet has
Gehlot told the Lok Sabha that the 1995 already looked into the amendments.
rules formed under the Act mandated the ● "The Competition Act Regulation
setting up of State- and district-level Amendments will now bring in greater
vigilance and monitoring committees. regulation. The cabinet has looked into it.
● The State-level committees, headed by the This Is one of the ways we are trying to
respective Chief Ministers, are supposed regulate (e-commerce platforms)," she
to meet twice a year, according to the said in the Upper House. The amendments
rules. to the law have been proposed as per the
● In 2016, there were two meetings of the recommendation of the Competition Law
committee in Haryana and one each in Reviewing Committee,under the
Karnataka and West Bengal. The next year, chairmanship of Corporate Affairs
in 2017, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Ministry, she said.
Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry held ● On job loss, the Minister said such kinds
one meeting each, while Haryana had two. of impacts have been assessed by the
● In 2018, there was one meeting each in committee and "action is being taken
Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, through various amendments suggested
Maharashtra, Chandigarh and Puducherry, to the Act so that impact is not as
serious."

● Prior to setting up of the committee, change the status quo in Pakistan
Sitharaman said antitrust watchdog occupied Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi
Competition Commission of India (CCI) called on parties concerned to cease such
had made efforts to promote actions and said such illegal activities will
self-regulation through advocacy from never be accepted by India.
January this year after looking into a
complaint it had received in April last year. India holds talks with Saudi crown prince
● However, a court order from Karnataka
stopped the CCI from taking further steps ● Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a
on self-regulation, she said. In its report on telephonic conversation with the Crown
the complaint, the CCI had identified Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin
several practices which were not true to Salman. During the conversation, the two
the ideals of free and fair market leaders discussed the global situation
practices, she added. regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
● Mr Modi emphasised the need for
India rejects J & K reference in China-Pak coordinated efforts to adequately address
joint statement this global challenge, which has impacted
not only the health and well-being of
● India has rejected the reference to Jammu several hundred thousand people but also
and Kashmir in the Joint Statement issued threatens to adversely affect the economy
by China and Pakistan after the recent in many parts of the world. In this context,
visit of Pakistani President to China. the Prime Minister also mentioned India’s
● In response to a query, External Affairs recent initiative to organise a video
Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar conference among SAARC countries.
said Jammu and Kashmir is an integral ● The two leaders agreed that a similar
part of India. He said issues related to it exercise at the level of G20 leaders, under
are an internal matter of India. the aegis of Saudi Arabia as the Chair of
● The spokesperson said India expects G20, would be useful at a global scale,
other countries including China not to both for discussing specific measures to
comment on matters that are internal address the challenges posed by
affairs and also to respect India’s COVID-19 and also to instill confidence in
sovereignty and territorial integrity. the global populace.
● India strongly objected to and reiterated ● Mr Modi and the Crown Prince decided
its concerns to both China and Pakistan that their officials would remain in close
on “China Pakistan Economic Corridor”, contact in this regard.
which is in the territory of India that has
been illegally occupied by Pakistan since ISRO set to launch Chandrayaan-3 by
1947. 2021
● The spokesperson said India is opposed
to any actions by other countries to

on Wednesday stripped Manipur Cabinet

● Chandrayaan-3 will be launched in the first
Minister T. Shyamkumar, who is facing
half of 2021, Union Minister Jitendra Singh
disqualification proceedings for defection,
said, indicating that there could be a slight
of his office and banned him from entering
delay in the launch of the third moon
the Assembly with immediate effect.
mission.
● “Given the extraordinary facts in the
● In written response to a question in Lok
present case, we are constrained to use
Sabha, Minister of State in the Prime
our powers under Article 142 of the
Minister's Office Singh said four biological
Constitution. Respondent No. 3 [Mr.
and two physical science experiments
Shyamkumar] is restrained from entering
related to microgravity will be conducted
the Legislative Assembly till further orders
during the Gaganyaan project, India's
of this Court. Needless to add, he will
manned mission to space.
cease to be a Minister of the Cabinet
● Singh said the revised configuration takes
immediately,” a Bench led by Justice
care of the robustness in design, capacity
Rohinton Nariman ordered.
enhancement for mission flexibility and at
● On January 21, the Bench had given the
the same time retained the heritage of
Speaker a month’s time to decide on the
Chandrayaan-II to the extent possible.
disqualification of Mr. Shyamkumar under
● Elaborating on the progress made on
the anti-defection law for switching sides
Gaganyaan, Singh said hardware
to the BJP after contesting on Congress
realisation has commenced for ground
ticket.
test and space flight training of four
● However, despite the judgment, the
astronaut candidates has also
Speaker had returned to the apex court
commenced.
seeking eight weeks to take a decision.
● National collaboration for design,
● On March 18, the Speaker asked for 10
development and delivery of human
days’ time and said the decision on the
centric products such as crew medical kit,
disqualification would come on March 28.
crew health monitoring system,
However, the apex court refused the plea
emergency survival kit, dosimeters,
and issued the order.
earmuffs and fire suppression system has
started, Singh said.
Rajya Sabha passes bill on Indian system
● A three-week training programme for flight
surgeon was also completed at ISRO with of medicines
participation of CNES, the space agency
● Rajya Sabha passed both the National
of France, he added.
Commission for Indian System of
Medicine Bill 2019 and the National
SC removes Manipur minister from
Commission for Homoeopathy Medicine
assembly Bill 2019 today. Both the bills were passed
by voice vote.
● In an extraordinary display of its
constitutional powers, the Supreme Court

● Speaking over the bills, Union minister for pandemic. G-20 Leaders will put forward a
AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik said, the two coordinated set of policies to protect
bills aim at providing a quality and people and safeguard the global economy.
affordable medical education system ● The Summit will build on the ongoing
ensuring high quality medical efforts of the G-20 Finance Ministers and
professionals in Indian System of Central Bank Governors, senior health,
Medicine and Homeopathy, in all parts of trade, and foreign affairs officials, to
the country. further develop the precise requirements
● He said, the Commission will also ensure and actions needed.
adoption of latest medical research in the ● The Saudi Presidency will continue to
work of such professionals. The minister support and coordinate international
emphasised that it was only due to the efforts to counter the impact of the
strong will and vision of Prime Minister pandemic, both in human and economic
Narendra Modi that the ministry of AYUSH terms.
was created in 2014. ● Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said yesterday
● Taking part in the discussion, Dr. Ram that mosques would no longer be open for
Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party said, the customary five daily prayers or Friday
Indian system of medicine should be congregations, an exceptional move to
promoted as the allopathic system is limit the spread of the coronavirus which
costlier. has infected 171 people in the kingdom.
● Supporting the bill, Kahkashan Parween of ● Saudi Arabia had earlier announced to
Janata Dal-United suggested for close Umrah pilgrimage as also
constitution of separate boards and international flights. Educational
provision of adequate funds in the budget institutions have also been closed down
for further development of the alternative as a precautionary measure.
medicine system.
DAC approves procurement of Tejas
Virtual G20 leader’s summit to be held in fighter aircraft for IAF
Saudi
● Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) today
● Saudi Arabia, which is presently in chair, gave approval for procurement of 83
has proposed to convene an extraordinary indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft for Indian
virtual G-20 Leaders’ Summit next week to Air Force.
advance a coordinated response to the ● The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas
COVID-19 pandemic and its human and indigenously-designed by Aircraft
economic implications. Development Agency (ADA) under the
● The Saudi Press Agency reported that the Defence Research and Development
G20 will act, alongside international Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by
organizations, in any way deemed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is
necessary to alleviate the impact of the

going to be the backbone of Indian Air ● The Prime Minister said government is
Force in future. taking all necessary steps to ensure
● While orders of 40 Tejas aircraft had been supply of essential commodities. He
placed with HAL in initial configurations, appealed to the people not to go for panic
today DAC paved the way for procurement buying. The Prime Minister also appealed
of another 83 of the more advanced to the business community to take care of
version of the aircraft from HAL. the economic needs of their employees by
● AIR correspondent reports, this not deducting their salary if they are not
procurement will be a major boost to able to come to work.
Make in India as the aircraft is ● The Prime Minister also said government
indigenously designed. has decided to constitute a Task Force
● The Defence Acquisition Council also under the Chairmanship of Finance
accorded approval for acquisition of Minister which will interact with all the
indigenous Defence equipment for about stakeholders.
1,300 crore rupees. ● Mr Modi pointed out that for a developing
country like India with a huge population,
PM calls for Janata curfew in the wake of coronavirus will not be easy to dealt with.
COVID-19 He said resolve and restraint are a must in
order to contain the outbreak.
● Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
announced Janata Curfew on Centre plans to set up roadside amenities
Sunday(22nd March) in the wake of COVID under NHAI
19 outbreak. It will be self-imposed and
self-regulated and will be effective from 7 ● Government is planning to start roadside
in the morning till 9 in the evening. He amenities like shopping centre, petrol
said, no one should step out of their pumps, toilets under the National Highway
homes during this period except those Authority of India.
people in essential services. ● Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha
● The Prime Minister was addressing the today about the commercial use of the
nation last evening in light of the land along the highways, Road Transport
coronavirus outbreak. He also urged and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said,
countrymen to thank people like doctors, the amenities will include markets and
medical personnel and cleaning staff for restaurants offering special food and
their service on Sunday at 5 PM. Mr Modi handicraft items of that area.
requested all people to step out of house ● Government has also launched a unique
in the coming few weeks only if extremely scheme for identification and removal of
necessary, and work from home as much black spots from the national and state
as possible. He also urged senior citizens highways so that the deaths on these
above the age of 65 years to stay at home spots can be avoided.
in the coming days.

● Giving the details in the Lok Sabha during ● According to the notification, import of
question hour, Road and Transport zinc dross is allowed without a license.
Minister Nitin Gadkari said that in every Earlier, a license was required for the
district, government will take help of imports.
engineering, diploma and ITI students to ● It is used in different sector including paint
identify black spots in their area. industry. However, according to the
● Government will provide stipend to these notification, import of zinc dross is
students for their work. A committee permitted to the actual user or to the
under the chairmanship of MPs will also trader on behalf of the actual users
inspect the road quality in their area so authorised by State Pollution Control
that the dangerous spots can be identified Board on one-time basis and subject to
and removed. verification of documents by the customs
● Government will spend 14 thousand crore authority.
for removal of black spots on National ● Similarly, imports of light, heavy, and full
Highways. Road and Transport Minister range naphtha too is now allowed freely.
Nitin Gadkari said in Lok Sabha that half Earlier, it was permitted through state
of the money of this amount will be given trading enterprises with certain policy
by Centre while 3500 crores each will be conditions.
provided by World Bank and Asian
Development Bank. ISRO develops new messaging system
● He also stated that there has been 10 for fisheries department
percent reduction in the number of
accidental deaths in the country after ● On March 17, 2020, the Department of
implementation of new Motor Vehicles Space reported at the Parliament that
Act. ISRO has designed NAVIC messaging
system and receiver. The system is
Centre eases import restriction for currently used by the Indian National
chemicals, aviation gasoline Centre for Ocean Information system
(INCOIS).
● The government has removed import ● The system is used to broadcast
restrictions on certain chemicals including emergency warning messages in cases
zinc dross, light, heavy and full range such as tsunami, cyclone, high waves. The
naphtha. technology has been transferred by ISRO
● The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, to 5 industries in India.
DGFT in a notification said, it has also ● One of them is the fisheries industry. ISRO
allowed flying clubs to freely import has so far distributed 250 units of these
aviation gasoline with certain conditions. systems to the coastal fishermen in the
For other users, import of aviation states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
gasoline is permitted through state trading ● The NAVIC is Navigation in Indian
enterprises. Constellation. It is an Indian Regional

Navigation Satellite System Lok Sabha passes bill to confer national
(IRNSS),developed by ISRO. There are 8
importance status to IIT’s
satellites in the constellation. The main
objective of NAVIC is to provide ● The LokSabha on Friday passed a Bill to
continuous surveillance of the Indian confer the status of Institution of National
sub-continent. Importance (INI) on five more Indian
● The systems will be carried by the Institutes of Information Technology.
fishermen. The device offers potential ● The Bill proposes to bring the five
fishing zone advisories. This will help institutions — located in Surat, Bhopal,
fishermen to stay within international Bhagalpur, Agartala and Raichur — under
boundaries. The system also gives the Indian Institutes of Information
warning about Oceanic wave forecasts Technology (Public-Private Partnership)
and high wave alerts. Act, 2017, similar to the other 15 IIITs
established under the scheme through
Government plans to take Kabbadi to public-private partnership.
Olympics ● These five IIITs, along with the 15 others,
will be able to use the nomenclature of
● Union Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju has said Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) or
that the government will make efforts to Master of Technology (M.Tech) or Ph.D
take indigenous sport kabaddi to the degrees. The status will also help the
Olympics. He was responding to institutes attract students required to
supplementaries during the Question Hour develop a strong research base in
in Lok Sabha yesterday. information technology.
● The Minister revealed that a total of 2,880 ● Human Resource Development Minister
athletes have been selected under Khelo Ramesh Pokhiriyal said such institutes
India scheme for further training to excel had recorded 100% placement. They
in various national and international followed the government’s reservation
competitions. policy, he said.
● He said identified promising sports ● These institutes followed the reservation
persons and teams are provided support policy announced by the government, he
of modern sports science and exposure said, clearing the doubts raised by some
abroad under experts of respective MPs.
disciplines. ● Ram KripalYadav of the BJP underscored
● The Minister added that the promotion of the need for opening more such institutes
sports, including identification of young in Bihar. Saugata Roy of the Trinamool
talent and its nurturing is the responsibility Congress supported the Bill and urged the
of the state governments as sports is a government to look into the curriculum of
state subject. these IIITs to put them on a par with the
IITs.

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SC upholds courts power to order Centre claims no shortage of essential
passport surrender in contempt cases commodities in the market amid
COVID-19
● The Supreme Court has held that courts
are empowered to order parties in a ● Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad
contempt case to surrender their passport Joshi said there is no shortage of
in order to ensure their presence in the essential commodities and food items in
proceedings. the markets. Responding to the concerns
● The court clarified that contemptors raised by leader of opposition
would only be depositing their passport AdhirRanjanChowdhury in the LokSabha,
with the court.The court was hearing a the minister asked members to refrain
contempt case in connection with a civil from spreading panic in the wake of
suit on partition of a disputed property in CoronaVirus.
Delhi. A Single Judge of the Delhi High ● The minister said that the Prime Minister
Court had ordered one of the parties in the in his address to the nation last evening
dispute to surrender his passport. urged the people to take protective
● However, a Division Bench of the court set measures including announcement of a
aside the Single Judge order on August 1, Financial task force to take care of
2018. It held that there was no need to concerns arising out of COVID-19.
“detain” the passport and ordered its ● The Congress leader demanded that the
return. government should take note of the losses
● But Justice Banumathi agreed with the suffered by small and medium enterprises
Single Judge’s order. “The order [of the and announce a suitable financial
Single Judge] was passed to ensure the package.
presence of the first respondent ● He also asked that moratoriums may be
[contemnor] and compliance of the order announced on loans availed by
of the court. It cannot be said that the entrepreneurs till the stabilization of the
Single Judge exceeded the jurisdiction or economic situation. Congress members
committed an error in ordering the staged a walkout protesting against the
surrender of the passport,” Justice stand of the government.
Banumathi wrote in a 21-page judgment.
● The court referred to a 2003 decision in Nepal contributes Rs100 million to
David Jude vs. Hannah Grace Jude, in
SAARC fund set by India to combat
which the top court directed the Centre to
cancel the passport of the contemnor to COVID
ensure her appearance before the court on
● Nepal has committed 100 million rupees
the date of hearing.
to the SAARC fund set by the Prime
Minister NarendraModi to fight
Coronavirus. Addressing the nation in
Kathmandu this evening, Nepal’s Prime

Minister K P Sharma Oli said during that the El Nino Weather Phenomenon is
SAARC leaders video conference on to remain neutral this year between May
Coronavirus he had committed to and July.
contribute an amount for the fund ● This will bring in normal rains to India
announced by Indian Prime Minister to during South West Monsoon. The Indian
fight the Coronavirus pandemic. Monsoon is greatly affected by the El Nino
● In his first speech after the renal and La Nina Weather Phenomenon.The
transplant, Nepali Prime Minister Oli urged neutral event of the weather phenomenon
the citizens to make necessary changes in is addressed as ENSO Oscillation.
their daily activities incorporating ● The ENSO phenomenon strengthens the
precautionary measures to fight against trade winds that give good rains to India
the new pandemic that started from during Monsoon. It is the trade winds that
China. get deflected due to Coriolis force and
● Nepali Prime Minister also announced ban blow as south west monsoon. The heating
on all international flights into the up of Himalayas during summer creates a
Himalayan Nation from 22nd to 31st low pressure in the region. This low
March along with the strict health pressure attracts the most high-pressure
check-ups at border sides to rein winds in the equator. They are moist due
COVID-19. He said, compulsory health to the ENSO phenomenon.Therefore, India
check-ups would be introduced at border receives good rainfall when ENSO is
points for travellers entering Nepal via neutral.
roads. ● During El Nino, the ocean waters in the
● It would be coordinated with the western Pacific (near Australia) warms up.
neighbouring countries. Mr Oli also This breaks the warm waters from
announced ban on long distance vehicles reaching the Australian coast. This is
movement from 23rd March until further because, the oceanic temperature in the
notice. He said all government offices middle of the Pacific is greater than its
except those which provide essential coastal.
service to remain closed from 23rd of ● Hence, water starts moving from
March to 3rd of April. Australian coast and South American
● Meanwhile Prime Minister NarendraModi Coast towards the centre of the
on Friday thanked both Bhutan and Nepal ocean.Rainfall now occurs in this part of
for contributing to the COVID-19 the ocean, making both the coasts dry.
emergency fund. Hence, the trade winds reaching near
Indian waters are dry as well. This
IMD predicts El Nino to be neutral this weakens the Indian monsoon.
year
Indian football legend PK Banerjee
● On March 19, 2020, the Indian passes away
Meteorological Department announced

noted a release issued by the government

● Legendary Indian footballer P K Banerjee
on Saturday.
died today in Kolkata after battling
● The move is aimed at establishing a
prolonged illness.
holistic wellness model based on AYUSH
● He was 83. The 1962 Asian Games
principles and practices focusing on
gold-medallist was conferred with Arjuna
preventive, promotive, curative,
award and Padma Shri. Born on 23rd June
rehabilitative and palliative healthcare by
1936 in Maynaguri on the outskirts of
integration with the existing public health
Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, Banerjee's
care system.
family relocated to his uncle's place in
● The National Health Policy 2017 has
Jamshedpur before partition.
advocated mainstreaming the potential of
● He scored 65 international goals in 84
AYUSH systems (Ayurveda, Yoga and
appearances for the national team.
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-rigpa
Besides winning the gold medal at the
and Homoeopathy) within a pluralistic
Jakarta Asian Games in 1992, Banerjee
system of Integrative healthcare.
led India in the 1960 Rome Olympics,
● “The vision of the proposal is to establish
where he scored the equalizer against a
a holistic wellness model based on AYUSH
formidable French team in a 1-1 draw.
principles and practices, to empower
● Before that, Banerjee represented India in
masses for ‘self care’ to reduce the
the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and played
disease burden and out of pocket
a key role in their 4-2 win over Australia in
expenditure and to provide informed
the quarterfinals.
choice of the needy public,” noted the
● Banerjee's contribution to Indian football
release.
was duly recognised by the world
governing body FIFA that awarded him the
Globally nearly one billion people
Centennial Order of Merit in 2004.
confined to homes
AYUSH wellness centres to be included in
● Close to one billion people worldwide were
NAM scheme confined to their homes on Saturday as
the global COVID-19 death toll shot past
● The Union Cabinet has approved the
11,000 and U.S. States rolled out
inclusion of the AYUSH Health and
lockdown measures already imposed
Wellness Centre (AYUSH HWC)
across swathes of Europe.
component of Ayushman Bharat in the
● The virus death toll surged past 11,000
National AYUSH Mission (NAM).
worldwide, with 4,000 alone in worst-hit
● “The proposal entails an expenditure of
Italy where the daily number of fatalities
?3,399.35 crore — ?2,209.58 crore as
has shot up relentlessly over the past
Central Share and ?1189.77 crore as State
week.
share — for operationalisation of AYUSH
● Italy reported its worst single day death
HWCs within a period of five years (from
toll on Friday, adding another 627 fatalities
financial years 2019-20 to 2023-24),”

and taking its reported total to 4,032 interfered with the protein production of
despite efforts to stem the spread. the cells.
● The nation of 60 million now accounts for ● This is how wrong instructions are sent,
36% of the world’s COVID-19 deaths and mainly due to faulty protein level. They
its death rate of 8.6% among confirmed also reduced the level of protein
infections is significantly higher than that production of a normal cell.
in most other countries.
● With the virus fears gripping the U.S., its Prices of agri commodities drop by 20%
largest State California — with over 1,000 amid COVID
cases and 19 deaths — told its 40 million
residents to stay at home. New York State, ● Prices of agricultural commodities such
which has reported over 7,000 cases and as perishable vegetables, grapes and
39 deaths, followed suit on Friday, sugar have fallen 15-20% as bulk demand
ordering its nearly 20 million residents to from hotels and restaurants has
do the same from Sunday evening. nosedived and there is uncertainty over
exports.
Scientists discover cellular mechanism ● Various industry bodies, including those
of Huntington disease representing textile and poultry, have
started approaching the government,
● The National Centre for Cell Science have seeking loan restructuring and financial
found that the pathogenic protein called incentives to survive.
the Huntingtin Protein causes decrease in ● Traders across the country are struggling
overall protein production. to combat rumours about closure of
● The disease is a genetic disorder that markets and attempts to create artificial
declines cognitive abilities, impairs shortages.
coordination of balance and movement, ● There is no shortage of grains and pulses
memory lapses, mood swings and in the country. “As of now, there is no
personality changes. dearth of material lying in the supply chain
● The disease is caused due to the mutation as most of the importers and the traders
of the gene called HTT. The major function across the country generally keep a buffer
of these genes is to produce protein called stock of 45-60 days. As of now, the supply
Huntingtin. chain is fully geared up with abundance of
● A normal gene gives the right instruction material and it is hoped that for the next
to produce these proteins. A mutated 15-20 days, the supply chain will be able to
gene gives faulty instructions. This deliver goods. It is only after 15 days that
disrupts the normal functioning ofthe the heat may be felt,” said Confederation
brain and results in Huntington disease. of All India Traders (CAIT)
● The Scientists have found that in a ● The poultry industry, which has suffered
diseased person the Huntingtin protein the most due to coronavirus related
rumours, has requested the government

for restructuring of bank loans and progesterone, chloramphenicol,

moratorium on interest and principal erythromycin salts, neomycin, clindamycin
payments. salts and ornidazole amid the ongoing
coronavirus pandemic.
Govt.allows export of pharma
formulations under export-linked scheme Guinea conducts referendum to extend
President Alpha Conde’s rule
● The government on Friday allowed the
exports of 13 formulations including those ● Despite the threat of COVID-19 and an
made of Vitamin B6, B12 and B1 under Opposition boycott, a constitutional
advance licenses issued on or before referendum was held in Guinea on Sunday
March 3. that opponents of President Alpha Conde
● It also permitted exports of the restricted fear could allow him to govern for 12 more
13 active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) years.
and 13 formulations is allowed from units ● Opposition supporters heeding a call to
in special economic zones (SEZ). disrupt the referendum and simultaneous
● The Directorate General of Foreign Trade legislative election attacked several
(DGFT) had restricted the exports of 26 polling stations in the capital Conakry,
active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) delaying the start of voting in some
and formulations on March 3 to ensure districts.
there is no shortage of drugs in India due ● The Opposition boycott all but ensures the
to the lockdown in China’s Hubei’s new basic law will be approved when
province, a major source for these raw results are announced in the coming days,
materials that has also been the epicentre despite the risk it could trigger wider
of the coronavirus outbreak. unrest that would, along with COVID-19,
● Under an advance license, duty-free threaten Guinea’s mining economy.
imports are bound to certain export ● With the first two cases of the COVID-19
obligations. The Department of disease recorded in the country, some
Pharmaceuticals had written to the DGFT polling stations required voters to wash
to allow exports from APIs imported under their hands before casting their ballot and
an advance licence. radio stations reminded citizens to keep
● In another circular on exports from SEZs, their distance from one another.
it said the earlier restriction was
applicable only to those item descriptions Indian researchers develop affordable
specified and not products that may fall COVID test kit
under the same tariff code but have
different descriptions. ● Researchers at the Indian Institute of
● The government had restricted the exports Technology here have developed a
of paracetamol and vitamins B1, B6 and method to detect COVID-19 which can
B12, tinidazole, metronidazole, acyclovir,

significantly reduce the test cost making it their stadiums to expand hospital capacity

affordable for large sections. to deal with the coronavirus.
● The National Institute of Virology (NIV), ● Authorities in Sao Paulo said, they would
Pune is in the process of validating this install 200 beds in a field hospital at the
test on clinical samples.The central Pacaembu municipal stadium to relieve
government on Saturday recommended pressure on the city's hospitals. Brazil
that the maximum charge for each currently has 1,128 confirmed infections
COVID-19 test by private laboratories and 18 deaths.
should not exceed Rs 4,500.
● All private laboratories which have NABL SC decides to go digital to maintain
accreditation for real-time PCR SA for RNA social distancing
virus will be allowed to conduct COVID-19
tests, according to the guidelines issued ● The Supreme Court on Monday decided to
by the Indian Council of Medical Research further restrict its functioning on account
(ICMR) for COVID-19 testing in private of the COVID-19 scare and resort to the
laboratories, which were notified by the digital mode to maintain social distancing
Health Ministry on Saturday night. and prevent spread of infection. The court
● "Using comparative sequence analysis, we premises would be completely shut down.
have identified unique regions in ● The Supreme Court Bench led by Chief
COVID-19. These unique regions are not Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde used its
present in other human coronaviruses extraordinary powers under Article 142 to
providing an opportunity to specifically lift the limitation period for all cases
detect COVID-19," Professor across tribunals and courts in the country
VivekanandanPerumal, lead member of until further notice.
the team told PTI. ● A Bench led by Chief Justice Bobde heard
● "Once the NIV validates the assay, it can a few cases via videoconferencing on
be quickly scaled up to meet the Monday. A giant screen, instead of the
increasing need in our country," he added. usual crowd of lawyers and litigants,
greeted Chief Justice Bobde and his
Brazilian football clubs hand over fellow judges as they entered the
stadiums to convert them into field courtroom.
hospitals ● A circular issued by the Supreme Court
late on Monday explained that the cases
● Brazil's top football clubs are handing over would be heard through an app called
their stadiums to allow health authorities ‘Vidyo’.
to turn them into field hospitals and clinics ● “Based on the progress made in the next
to fight the coronavirus pandemic. few days, cases pertaining to bail also will
● Football in Brazil has been suspended be considered to be listed subsequently
until further notice and more than half the
clubs in Brazil's "Serie A" have given up

on priority of urgency basis,” Mr. Aristotle effect to the financial proposals of the
said. Central Government for fiscal 2020-21.
Centre amends law to enable excise duty Scientists develop starch based
hike in fuels Hemostat
● The government on Monday amended the ● Scientists at the INST (Institute of Nano
law to get enabling powers to raise excise Science and Technology), that operates
duty on petrol and diesel by ?8 per litre under the Department of Science &
each in future. Technology, have developed starch based
● Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman hemostat.
moved an amendment to the Finance Bill, ● The starch-based ‘hemostat’ are
2020, to raise the limit up to which the developed to stop rapid blood loss during
government can raise special excise duty accidents, as it physically absorbs excess
on petrol and diesel to Rs18 per litre and fluid and concentrates the natural clotting
Rs.12, respectively. factors in blood.
● The amendment, along with the Finance ● The product possesses increased
Bill, was passed without a debate in the absorption capacity, improved absorption,
LokSabha.This is an enabling provision inexpensive and is biodegradable.
and no change in excise duty is being ● Rapid Blood coagulation is important to
done as of now, an official said. stop blood loss. When bold oozes out of
● The amendment gives powers to the cuts, the circulating substance in the
government to raise the duty by up to ?8 blood called the coagulants changes the
per litre in petrol and diesel at any time it blood into an insoluble gel.
wishes.Earlier in the day, the LokSabha ● This process requires coagulation factors,
passed the Finance Bill, 2020, without any phospholipids and calcium. There are 12
discussion as the House curtailed its coagulation factors in human body.The
sittings in the wake of the COVID-19 Coagulation factors are manufactured in
outbreak. liver.
● More than 40 amendments were ● The Institute of Nano Science operates
introduced by the government to the under Department of Science and
Finance Bill, which was moved for Technology.It was established under the
consideration and passing, by the Finance National Mission of Nano Science and
Minister. Technology or NANO mission.The mission
● The decision to pass the Bill without any aims to promote growth of nanoscience
discussion was taken at an all-party and technology.
meeting convened by Speaker Om Birla.
Some amendments moved by the PM announces nationwide lockdown for
Opposition were negated. The Bill gives 21 days

uninterrupted supply for citizens during

● As the death toll from COVID-19 rose to
COVID-19 lockdown.
10, Prime Minister NarendraModi on
● Secretary, Department for Promotion of
Tuesday announced a 21-day lockdown
Industry and Internal Trade
for the entire country, stating that it was
Dr.GuruprasadMohapatra in the letter
the only way for the country to break the
asked all states to ensure that food
chain of infection. The lockdown will be in
processing companies, retailers and
effect till April 14.
chemists as well as workers and
● In a nationwide television broadcast,
transporters engaged by these entities do
Mr.Modi said the pandemic was a huge
not face any hardship in ensuring
challenge to every country and even
uninterrupted supply to consumers.
countries like the U.S. and Italy,
● It said that any executive order under
considered to have good health
section 144 of the Indian Penal Code
infrastructure, were struggling to control
should include exemptions not just for
the situation.
these units but also to their distribution
● India on Tuesday recorded 564 positive
and sales channels servicing the food and
cases, with the number of positive
beverage market, including food delivery,
patients in Kerala and Maharashtra
and employees associated with these
crossing 100.
activities.
● Stating that it was the priority of both the
● Similarly, retail trade, wholesalers,
Centre and State governments to set up
chemists and pharmacies that sell or
health infrastructure as fast as possible to
stock food products, medicines and water
deal with the pandemic, Mr.Modi said the
should be allowed to remain open to
government had allotted ?15,000 crore for
avoid any inconvenience to consumers
the purchase of Personnel Protection
and also to prevent panic buying.
Equipment for healthcare workers, setting
up testing laboratories and quarantine
Finance ministry to announce economic
centres.
● Sounding a note of caution, he said: “If we package to deal with COVID-19
are not able to adhere to this lockdown
● An economic package to deal with
sincerely for 21 days, believe me, India will
COVID-19 situation will be announced
go back 21 years.
soon, Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman
promised on Tuesday afternoon, adding
Centre asks states/UT’s not to interrupt
that the government and regulators are
food processing units constantly monitoring the state of the
economy, markets and rupee depreciation.
● Government has written to Chief
● However, she still offered little clarity on
Secretaries of all States and UTs to not
the composition of an economic task
obstruct or call for closure of food
force announced by the PM last week, and
processing Units and to maintain
explained the delay in announcing an

economic package by saying extensive ● The meeting was held in English, as
consultations were needed, and till technical difficulties made it impossible to
yesterday, Parliament was in session and provide simultaneous translation into the
the Finance Bill had to be cleared. world body's other official languages.
● She did not respond to specific queries on ● UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
how the economic package would provide has not shuttered the organization's
relief for millions of informal sector and headquarters in New York, but the city
daily wage workers who have been hit the itself is under a stay-at-home order issued
hardest by the shutdown. by the state's governor.
● Ms.Sitharaman attributed the delay in
announcing an economic package to the Study finds long tailed macaques
need for extensive consultations and to proficiency in tool use and object
first pass the Finance Bill.
manipulation
● In the final hours of the LokSabha session
on Monday, a number of opposition MPs
● In recent times, there has been a lot of
had been pressing the Finance Minister to
interest among primatologists in studying
make a statement on the COVID-19
object handling and tool-use in non-human
situation and the government’s package
primates such as apes and chimpanzees.
before the Finance Bill was passed.
● A study from IISER Mohali has looked into
how long-tailed macaques (Macaca
UNSC holds meeting via Fascicularis Umbrosa) in Greater Nicobar
videoconferencing Island handle objects and use tools to
simplify their efforts.
● The UN Security Council met for the first ● The researchers observed interesting
time in its history via videoconference last behaviour related to object manipulation
night due to the coronavirus crisis. and tool use in six behavioural contexts
However, the diplomats said the meeting involving eight different types of objects.
was not without technical difficulties. ● They also saw that males were more
● One diplomat said that the meeting was frequently involved in tool use than
meant to serve as a test run and thus was females. The results of the study are
not listed on any official agenda. The published in the International Journal of
meeting saw informal talks on the Primatology
situation in the Democratic Republic of ● There is a crucial difference between tool
Congo. use and object use. A tool helps the user
● The ambassadors and deputies all logged get better outcomes. Jayashree
in from home, and the media had no Majumdar, first author of the paper
access. explains.
● The meeting was interrupted several times ● According to her, the most exciting part
when internet connections went down, or was how the macaques decide what tool
when some participants lost power. and technology to use. “Some of the

macaques had few trials and errors, but it EC allows government to use indelible ink
did not take them long to understand that
to mark the quarantined
the technique or tool was not providing
the best outcome, and therefore, they were ● The Election Commission of India on
very quick in switching,” she says. Wednesday said it had allowed the
● Though the long-tailed macaques are government to use indelible ink, which is
further from humans in relatedness than used to mark voters, to mark people
chimpanzees or apes, this study could ordered quarantine themselves at home in
offer a perspective on evolutionary origins view of the “extraordinary circumstances”
of tool use behaviour. due to the coronavirus pandemic.
● In a letter to the Health and Family Welfare
Tokyo Olympics gets postponed to 2021 Ministry, the EC wrote that it had taken the
suo motu decision to allow the use of
● Japan's Prime Minister and the head of indelible ink with certain conditions.
the International Olympic Committee ● The EC wrote that according to Rule 49 K
Shinzo Abe today agreed to postpone the of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961,
Tokyo 2020 Games by a year in an an elector is supposed to be marked on
extraordinary move, unprecedented in the forefinger of his left hand before
peacetime, as the world battles the casting the vote.
coronavirus pandemic. ● In case the elector does not have a
● The move would be a devastating blow for forefinger on the left hand, any other finger
the city of Tokyo, which had won of the left hand can be marked and in case
widespread praise for its organization, the elector does not have any finger on the
with venues finished well ahead of time left hand, the forefinger of the right hand
and tickets massively oversubscribed. can be marked.
● The Olympics, which has experienced ● The EC said the authorities should be
boycotts, terrorist attacks and protests, directed not to use the ink on any finger of
but has been held every four years since the left hand.
1948, would be the highest-profile event
affected by the virus that has killed Finance ministry asks RBI to relax asset
thousands and closed sports
classification norms for farm loans
competitions worldwide.
● The IOC has come under increasing
● The Finance Ministry has asked the
pressure in recent days to postpone the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to relax asset
Games, scheduled to start on July 24, with
classification norms for farm loans
1.7 billion people across the planet in
extended by banks following the stress
lockdown to prevent the further spread of
faced by the agriculture sector.
COVID-19.
● In a letter addressed to RBI Governor
Shaktikanta Das, the Ministry said, “it is
requested to consider making appropriate

relaxation in asset classification norms in After India,Nepal imposes country wide
respect of short-term agricultural crop
lockdown
loans for a period up to 30th June 2020.”
● The letter, reviewed by The Hindu, cited a ● Nepal has imposed nationwide lockdown
communication from the Agriculture to control the possible spread of
Ministry which is considering an extension COVID-19. The decision was taken by the
of the interest subvention scheme for the cabinet in Kathmandu on Monday after
farm sector which, in turn, would require confirmation of second case of COVID-19
relaxation of NPA norms. As per the RBI’s in the Himalayan nation.
asset classification norms, a loan is ● The lockdown started in all 77 districts
classified as non-performing by banks if this morning and will continue till March
repayment is due for more than 90 days. 31. The people have been asked not to
● “The Department of Agriculture, leave their homes except for emergency
Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, purpose or to purchase medicines or food
Government of India, has [said that] in stuffs. All public and private vehicles have
view of the unprecedented situation also been restricted except those used by
prevailing in the country on account of the security forces or health workers. All
increasing incidence of COVID-19 domestic commercial flights have ceased
infection and consequent lockdown their operation.
across the country, they are actively ● Anyone violating the rule may land in jail
considering the possibility of extending for a month or fined Rs 100. All the
the benefit of interest subvention and government offices have been directed to
prompt repayment incentive to short-term send their non-essential staff on leave on
crop agriculture loans falling due between the condition that they will be available as
29th March 2020 and 30th June 2020, if and when required.
the loans are repaid by 30th June 2020,” ● The government has urged all emergency
the letter said. and essential service providing agencies
● “They have further stated the extension of including security, food supply, electricity,
the repayment date would require communication, customs, quarantine and
relaxation in asset qualification by RBI,” it garbage management and others to
added. function with minimum necessary staff.
● The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in a ● Similarly, all industries and other private
lockdown across the country with offices have been directed to grant leave
economic and other activities coming to a to their employees. The government has
grinding halt. As a result, industry and asked medical suppliers to maintain
bankers have demanded a relaxation in smooth supply of essential medicines
bad loan norms, apart from economic during the lockdown.
stimulus from the government. ● All 77 Chief District Officers (CDOs) have
been delegated the responsibility of
implementing the decisions taken in line

with the Communicable Disease Act,

● The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
1963. CDOs can enforce the Local
issued the Standard Operating Procedure
Administration Act 1971, if needed, to
(SOP) for maintaining supply of essential
enforce the government’s decision.
goods through retail and e-commerce
platforms.
New technology to improve fuel
● Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to all
efficiency of IC engines developed the States and Union Territories to let
e-commerce remain operational and
● The International Advanced Centre for
encourage home delivery of essential
Powder Metallurgy and New Materials
goods as the 21-day lockdown was
(ARCI) operating under Department of
enforced to break the transmission chain
Science and Technology, Government of
of coronavirus.
India has developed a technology to
● According to the SOP, “all facilities in
improve fuel efficiency of internal
supply of essential goods, whether
combustion engines.
involved in manufacturing, wholesale or
● The technology improves the fuel
retail of such goods through local stores,
efficiency by reducing friction in the
large brick and mortar or e-commerce
engines. This has been achieved through
companies, should be allowed to operate,
Laser surface micro-texturing.In this
ensuring strict social-distancing.” It said
technology, the friction is controlled by
warehouses should not be closed because
controlling the size, density and shape of
they also stored non-essential items.
the micro-surface texture features.
● The persons engaged in the supply shall
● Such a texture is created by using a
be allowed to commute on the basis of
pulsating laser beam. The beam creates
e-pass issued by the local authorities, and
micro-dimples, grooves on the surface of
the employees shall carry a valid photo
the materials.These Grooves trap debris
identification card.
that usually increase friction and thereby
● In the case of the unorganised sector, the
wear and tear.
persons involved in supply chain may be
● The texture has been created on internal
allowed to commute based on approval or
combustion engine components such as
an authorisation letter issued by the local
cylinder liners and piston rings.The model
authorities. “These facilities should carry
was tested at the ARCI lab under
out regular health and sanitation checks
difference speeds and also at different
of employees and will provide them with
temperatures of lubrication oil and
protective gear,” the SOP said.
coolant.
● It asked the States to open 24/7 control
rooms to register complaints and
MHA issues SOP for supply of essential grievances. The SOP covers suppliers of
goods and services essential goods, including restaurants
supplying cooked food items.

CRISIL cuts down growth estimate ● Services, which account for 41% of total
exports, have been resilient so far, but a
further down
recession in the advanced economies
● Rating agency Crisil has cut the country’s would dampen the prospects for IT-ITeS,
GDP growth forecast for the next financial tourism and bring down services’ exports
year to 3.5% from 5.2% projected earlier, growth.
due to the spread of COVID-19. ● On inflation, Crisil said it may soften in
● “We have slashed our base-case gross FY21 for three reasons; one, the abnormal
domestic product (GDP) growth forecast surge in food inflation in 2019 has started
for fiscal 2021 to 3.5% from the 5.2% to correct; two, core inflation will remain
expected earlier. This assumes two things: moderate with slowing growth; and three,
a normal monsoon, and the effect of the the sharp drop in crude prices will keep
pandemic subsiding materially, if not fuel inflation soft.
wearing out, in the April-June quarter,” said
Dharmakirti Joshi, chief economist, Crisil. FinMin asks banks to ensure smooth
● According to the rating agency, COVID-19 transfer of funds to JanDhan accounts
is now the foremost risk for the world
economy with multi-dimensional ● The Finance Ministry has asked all the
ramifications because, and unlike the banks to ensure smooth transfer of
global financial crisis of 2008, it has not Rs.500 per month to Jan Dhan accounts
only slammed the brakes on economic of all women account holders, announced
activity and jeopardised financial stability, by Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman on
but also brought with it enormous human Thursday to support families due to the
suffering not seen in decades. nation-wide lockdown to halt the spread of
● “Since our last forecast of 5.2% GDP COVID-19.
growth for fiscal 2021, the scenario has ● “You are requested to ensure that the said
worsened notably. S&P Global has marked amount is transferred smoothly, to the
global growth down significantly, targeted accounts, so that the
predicting a likely recession in the U.S. and beneficiaries can get access to the funds
the Eurozone, and lowering China’s growth during the difficult time to carry on their
to 2.9% from 4.8% with dominant livelihood without facing hardships,” the
downside risks,” the rating agency said, Finance Ministry said in a communication
adding the pandemic in India and the to chief executives of public and private
consequent lockdown for 21 days posed a sector banks. The government has
material risk to India’s economic outlook. decided to transfer Rs.500 per month for
● The impact of social distancing and three months in such accounts.
decline in discretionary spending will ● The Ministry has asked the lenders to
aggravate the downturn in the April-June draw up a list of beneficiaries and share it
quarter, and the sharp slowdown in key with the Ministry. “After receiving this data,
trading-partner economies will hit exports.

the date of transfer will be intimated,” the ● In his opening remarks, King Salman
letter said. spoke of the impact of the COVID-19
● The Finance Ministry also asked the banks pandemic on global growth and financial
to ensure adequate liquidity with the bank markets. He said that the G20 must send
branches and also with business a “strong signal to restore confidence in
correspondents. the global economy by resuming, as soon
● Banks have been asked to regularly as possible, the normal flow of goods and
replenish automated teller machines, and services, especially vital medical
arrange mobile ATMs with sufficient cash, supplies.”
where required.The Ministry also asked ● Prime Minister Modi, who had first
the banks to inform beneficiaries suggested the video-conference, also
regarding the time schedule of the called for a bigger mandate and more
withdrawal via SMS. funding for the World Health Organisation,
which he said had failed to “adapt itself to
G20 pledges $5trillion into global deal with the new challenges the
economy international community has faced.”
● Many countries have been critical of
● The world needs to “redefine” its WHO’s failure to alert the world quickly
conversations on globalisation to include enough of the potential threat from the
social and humanitarian issues such as pandemic, even after it had been informed
terrorism, climate change and pandemics of its spread in Wuhan by China on
along with financial and economic December 31 last year.
discussions, said Prime Minister ● Others, most notably the United States,
NarendraModi, speaking at a have been particularly critical of China for
video-conference of leaders of the world’s not having been transparent and shared
top 20 economies, the G20, hosted by the information about the pandemic, and have
Saudi King, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, even called for the virus to be named the
to discuss the novel coronavirus “Chinese virus” or the “Wuhan virus,” a
pandemic. move China has opposed strongly.
● According to a release, the G20 countries
committed on Thursday to inject more U.S indicts Venezuelan president for
than $5 trillion into the global economy, narco terrorism
and contribute to the COVID-19 solidarity
response fund led by the World Health ● The US Justice Department announced
Organization (WHO). the indictment on Thursday of Venezuelan
● The leaders agreed to have more President Nicolas Maduro and offered a
interactions of G20 Foreign Ministers, $15 million reward for information leading
health officials and the respective Sherpas to his capture.
before the Riyadh Summit of the G20 ● The Justice Department called Mr.Maduro
nations in November 2020. the head of a cocaine trafficking group

called “The Cartel of the Suns” that ● He was also represented India in Asia Cup
exported hundreds of tonnes of drugs Qualifier in 1968 in Myanmar and Merdeka
working hand in hand with the Cup in 1969 in Kuala Lumpur.Latif
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, represented Mohammedan Sporting from
which the U.S. has officially labelled a 1963-1967 and later took over as coach.
“terrorist organization.”
● Also indicted were more than a dozen President urges govts to mobilise
other officials of the Maduro regime, various NGO’s to contain COVID-19
including members of the Venezuelan
military and judiciary, including the ● The President and Vice President have
country’s Chief Justice. expressed hope that the our inherent
● “For more than 20 years, Maduro and a strength of sharing and caring and the
number of high-ranking colleagues government’s measures will mitigate the
allegedly conspired with the FARC, sufferings of the most vulnerable sections
causing tons of cocaine to enter and of the society, particularly the workers of
devastate American communities,” said the unorganised sectors and the
Attorney General Bill Barr. “It’s time to call destitutes.
out this regime for what it is,” he said. ● President RamnathKovind exhorted the
collective strength of the society and
urged Governors, LGs and Administrators
to mobilise volunteers of Indian Red Cross
society, voluntary and religious
organisations to contain the menace of
COVID 19 at the earliest.
● President Ram NathKovind and Vice
President M. Venkaiah Naidu interacted
with all Governors, Lieutenant Governors
and Administrators to find ways to
complement the efforts of the Center and
State governments in meeting the
challenges arising from the outbreak of

COVID-19.
● 14 Governors and Delhi Lt. Governor were
Former Indian footballer Abdul Latif shortlisted to share experiences in their
passes away territories as these areas were worst
affected by the pandemic.
● Former India midfielder Abdul Latif, who ● The video conference was conducted by
was also a key member of bronze medal the Vice President and it brought out the
winning team at the 1970 Bangkok Asian best practices initiated by various States
Games died in Guwahati on Monday.

to mitigate the people’s plight while March 28 for 1 year providing total
enforcing the lock down in the country. liquidity injection of Rs 3.74 lakh crore to
the system in current scenario.
Supreme court allows sale of BS4 ● While announcing decisions of Monetary
vehicles 10 days after lockdown Policy Committee (MPC) in a live video
conferencing, RBI Governor said that RBI
● In a relief to automobile dealers, the will maintain accommodative stance.
Supreme Court today allowed the sale of ● He informed that the Monetary Policy
BS IV compliant vehicles for 10 days, Committee voted for a sizable reduction in
except in Delhi-NCR, after the ongoing interest rate. The governor informed that
countrywide lockdown over the the MPC has decided to advance its
coronavirus pandemic is lifted. meeting due on 3 April to 24, 25, 27 March
● The apex court, which had earlier fixed the and undertook careful evaluation of
deadline of March 31, 2020 for sale of BS economic situation in the country.
IV compliant vehicles across the country, ● He said that the cut in Repo Rate has been
passed the order on a plea by Federation made to encourage banks to give more to
of Automobile Dealers' Association business rather than deposit it with RBI.
(FADA). The RBI has cut Liquidity Adjustment
● The plea had sought extension of time for Facility by 90 bps to 4 percent. It also
sale of inventory amid coronavirus scare announced that the Reverse Repo Rate
and economic slowdown. has been reduced by 90 basis points to 4%
● A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and India has locked down economic activity.
Deepak Gupta, which heard the matter ● The RBI chief noted that keeping finance
through video-conferencing, made it clear flowing is the 'paramount objective' of the
however that no BS IV vehicles will be RBI, while India has locked down
allowed to be sold in Delhi-NCR from April economic activity and financial activity is
1, 2020. under severe stress.
● Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman
RBI cuts interest rates permits 3 months today appreciated RBI's reassuring words
on financial stability. She said the three
moratorium on loans
month moratorium on payments of term
loan installments (EMI) and interest on
● The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor
working capital, has given much desired
Shaktikanta Das today announced cut in
relief.
benchmark interest rate, Repo Rate by 75
● She said slashed interest rate needs quick
basis points to 4.4 per cent to deal with
transmission. Finance Minister said the
the hardship caused due to the outbreak
macro-economic fundamentals of the
of COVID-19.
Indian economy are sound adding that
● The central bank also reduced the Cash
economy is stronger than what it was in
Reserve Ratio (CRR) of all banks by 100
basis points to 3 per cent with effect from

the aftermath of the global financial crisis Council of Medical Research (ICMR) R.
of 2008-09. Gangakhedkar on Friday.
● The Solidarity Trial will test four different
Post offices set to provide basic services drugs or combinations — remde sivir, a
during lockdown combination of two drugs, lopinavir and
ritonavir, the two drugs plus interferon
● The Ministry of communications today beta, and chloroquine — and will compare
said that Post Offices are providing basic their effectiveness to what is called
postal and Financial services during standard of care, the regular support
lockdown in the wake of COVID-19. It hospitals treating COVID-19 patients use
said,priority is being given to delivery of now.
essential items through the postal ● Speaking of where India stands in terms
network. of developing a drug or vaccine against
● It said, facility of withdrawal and deposit COVID-19, Dr.Gangakhedkar said: “We
under Post Office Savings Bank and India have to prioritise what we need right now
Post Payments Bank is also available. to deal with the situation. ICMR is
● Besides, ATM facility and Aadhar Enabled currently looking at repurposed drug
Payment System are made available in molecules to find treatment for COVID-19.
Post Offices for withdrawal of cash from We don’t have the luxury of time right
accounts standing in any bank. now.”
● The Department of Posts is also ensuring ● He added that vaccine development
that essential services are provided by wasn’t a priority for ICMR currently. “There
implementing safety measures across its are 30 vaccine groups that are operational
supply chain to protect its employees and worldwide right now looking at COVID-19,
effecting safe delivery of services to the with five having gone into animal-toxicity
citizens. study. India will express its interest to
participate in the trial for the Indian
India to join WHO’s medicine trial against population when we feel the time is right,”
he said.
COVID
● India is all set to join World Health Germany plans mass immunity study to
Organisation’s “solidarity trial” aimed at track virus
rapid global search for drugs to treat
COVID-19. The country has stayed away ● German researchers plan to regularly test
so far from this multi-country trial “due to over 100,000 people to see if they have
its small sample size and because our overcome infection with COVID-19 to track
contribution would have looked its spread, an institute behind the plan
minuscule,” said Head of Epidemiology confirmed on Friday.
and Communicable diseases at Indian ● A spokeswoman for Brunswick’s
Helmholtz Institute for Infectious Disease

Research confirmed a report in news ● Under this, the branches of Oriental Bank
weekly Der Spiegel that large-scale testing of Commerce and United Bank of India will
for antibodies could start in April if operate as branches of Punjab National
researchers are given the green light. Bank from April 1, and branches of
● “You could give immune people Syndicate Bank as that of Canara Bank.
something similar to a vaccination ● It informed that Allahabad Bank branches
certificate that could allow them will operate as those of Indian Bank while
exceptions from limits on their activities,” the branches of Andhra Bank and
Helmholtz Institute epidemiologist Gerard Corporation Bank will function as the
Krause told Der Spiegel. branches of Union Bank of India from the
● But even if the study is approved, initial beginning of next fiscal year 2020-21.
readings might not be completely reliable. ● Customers, including depositors of
Tests currently available can show false merging banks will be treated as
positives for coronavirus antibodies, as customers of the banks in which these
90% of adults already have immunity banks have been merged with effect from
against common, harmless viruses from April 1, 2020.
the same family.
Farming and allied activities exempted
RBI confirms merger of banks to come from lockdown
into force from April-1
● Agriculture, farming and allied activities
● Reserve Bank of India has said that the have been exempted from the lockdown.
merger of 10 state-run banks into four will The decision has been taken with a view
come into force from April 1. The to address problems being faced by the
branches of merging banks will operate as farming community. This will also ensure
of the banks in which these have been uninterrupted harvesting of crops.
amalgamated. ● Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh
● The government on March 4 had notified Tomar has been constantly monitoring
the amalgamation schemes for 10 state issues related to the farmers ever since
owned banks into four as part of its the lockdown was enforced. He was
consolidation plan to create bigger size apprised of the difficulties the farmers
stronger banks in the public sector. could face in the harvesting of their crops
● As per the scheme, Oriental Bank of and transporting foodgrains to the
Commerce and United Bank of India will mandis. The decision will also allow
be merged into Punjab National Bank; unhindered harvesting of crops.
Syndicate Bank into Canara Bank; ● Under the 2nd Addendum issued by the
Allahabad Bank into Indian Bank; and Union Home Ministry the categories that
Andhra and Corporation banks into Union have been exempted from the lockdown
Bank of India. include agencies engaged in procurement
of agriculture products such as MSP

operations; Mandis operated by the can survive in different environments, and
Agriculture Produce Market Committee or basically they will have an tolerable level
as notified by the State Government, of fitness in all environments.
Farming operations by farmers and farm ● The other option is they evolve into
workers in the field and custom hiring specialists, where the organism will have a
centres related to farm machinery. high degree of fitness in a particular
● Manufacturing and packaging units of environment while having low fitness in
fertilisers, pesticides and seed and Intra other environments.
and Inter-State movement of harvesting ● The study shows that large populations
and sowing related machines like tend to evolve into specialists, exercising
combined harvester and other agriculture fitness trade-offs, whereas small
and horticulture implements have also populations evolve into generalists.
been exempted from the lockdown. ● If the environment abruptly shifts between
two states that show fitness trade-offs
Scientists decode evolution patterns in with each other, then populations with a
E.coli history of evolution at larger numbers
would be at a greater disadvantage than
● Studying cultures of E. coli bacteria, a historically smaller populations.
group of evolutionary biologists from ● The group next plans to study the
Indian Institute of Science Education and response in fluctuating environments. “We
Research (IISER), Pune, has found that the are now studying more complex links
population size determines the kind of between population size and trade-offs,
fitness trade-offs the microbes adopt. combining fitness data with population
● Fitness trade-off may be understood in the genomics, in both constant and
following manner: Organisms do not have fluctuating environments,” says Prof. Dey.
the capacity to maximise all their
functions at the same time. Often when Centre forms several empowered groups
they enhance one function, another to suggest measures during lockdown
function suffers, or when they adapt to
survive well in one environment, they ● Government has constituted 11 different
cannot survive or reproduce well in Empowered groups to suggest measures
another environments. This is called a to ramp up healthcare, put the economy
fitness trade-off. This concept has been back on track and reduce the misery of
used by evolutionary biologists to explain people as quickly as possible post 21-day
why species prefer one environment to lockdown imposed to contain the
another. Coronavirus pandemic.
● There are several ways in which the ● Each group has a senior representative
concept of fitness trade-off originates. from PMO and the Cabinet Secretariat to
Evolution causes some organisms to be ensure seamless coordination. These
generalists, by which it is meant that they

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groups have been set up under the head the Group on Information,
Disaster Management Act. Communication and Public Awareness.
● The groups have been empowered to
formulate plans and to take all necessary Govt.to use cargo flights to supply
steps for their time-bound essentials to north eastern region
implementation. The initiative is being
viewed as a proactive step by the ● The Cargo Air Flights will be used
government to deal with multiple exclusively for transporting medical
challenges which the outbreak of equipment and emergency goods besides
COVID-19 has posed. other essential items to the North Eastern
● The Empowered Group on Medical States in the wake of lockdown. This was
Emergency and Management Plan will be disclosed by Union Minister for
headed by NITI Aayog member Dr V Paul, Development of North Eastern Region, Dr
while the Group on Availability of Jitendra Singh.
Hospitals, Disease Surveillance and ● This will go a long way in reassuring the
Testing and Critical Care Training will work people of the region that even at this hour
under the Chairmanship of Environment of trial, they are receiving as much
Secretary C K Mishra. attention as any other part of the country.
● The Empowered Group on ensuring the ● It has been intimated that the contact
availability of essential medical details and road map for the Cargo
equipment, production Procurement, operation will be provided soon. The
Import and Distribution will be headed by Directors of the airports of the region have
Pharmaceuticals Secretary P D Vaghela, been asked to inform about their
while the Group on augmenting Human requirements through Twitter.
Resources and Capacity Building will ● Dr Jitendra Singh noted that Prime
function under Ministry of Micro, Small Minister NarendraModi has always placed
and Medium Enterprises (MSME) the welfare of the North Eastern Region
Secretary Arun Panda. highest on the priority. It was primarily
● Drinking Water Secretary because of his personal outreach that
ParameswaranIyer will lead the Group on Northeast has undergone a revolutionary
Facilitating Supply Chain and Logistics transformation over the last six years.
Management for availability of necessary ● And, the decision to operate Cargo flights
items. for North-East is only a reiteration of the
● CEO NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant will head fact that the concern for Northeast is
the Group on coordinating with the private close to Mr.Modi’s heart even at this
sector. The Group on Economic and crucial time.
Welfare measures will function under
Economic Affairs Secretary FDA approves plasma treatment for
AtanuChakraborty and Information and
serious COVID patients
Broadcasting Secretary Ravi Mittal will

Games, postponed to 2021 due to the

● The Food and Drug Administration of the
global pandemic.
United States has approved the use of
● In a conference call with these boxers
Convalescent plasma collected from
today, the President of the Boxing
patients recovered from COVID-19 to treat
Federation of India, Ajay Singh took stock
seriously ill COVID-19 patients. The idea of
of their preparations amid a national
the method is to inject plasma with
lockdown till April 14 to fight the
antibodies into critically ill patients for
pandemic.
them to gain immunity against the virus.
● He told the boxers that this is a
● The Convalescent plasma treatment had
challenging time for all of us and is all the
earlier been studied during the outbreaks
more a reason for us to take care of
of 2003 SARS-CoV-1 epidemic, 2009-10
ourselves stay fit. He asked them to
H1N1 influenza virus and 2012 MERS-CoV
continue with the exercises as directed by
epidemic.The treatment is mere collection
the coaches and try to maintain weights
of plasma from a COVID-19 recovered
as much as possible.
patient and inject them into a critically ill
● The classes for women will be conducted
patient of COVID-19.
by their high performance director Rafaeli
● Plasma is the major part of the blood.
Bergamasco. India booked an
Apart from RBC, WBC and platelets in the
unprecedented nine Olympic slots at the
blood, all the other fluid content is referred
Asian qualifiers in Jordan earlier this
as Plasma.It makes up more than 55% of
month.
blood in human body.
● When separated from blood, it becomes
Doordarshan gets ready to entertain
light yellow liquid. This is because, blood
is red in colour due to the RBCs.The main lockdown period
role of plasma is to carry hormones,
● Doordarshan is all set to make staying at
nutrients and proteins to different parts of
home more enjoyable for people during
the body.
the lockdown by bringing its Golden Era
shows back on television. The show
Indian Olympic bound boxers to provide
Chanakya is planned for daily telecast in
online classes the afternoon time bands of DD Bharti
from 1st week of April.
● India's Olympic-bound boxers will be
● The show Upanishad Ganga is also
provided online classes from tomorrow by
scheduled for afternoon slots on DD
their coaches after training halted by the
Bharti starting 1st Week of next month.
coronavirus-forced national lockdown.
Shaktimaan the famous serial featuring
Nine Indian boxers M C Mary Kom,
MukeshKhanna is planned for a 1-hour
SimranjitKaur, LovlinaBorgohani, Pooja
daily telecast on DD National network
Rani, AmitPanghal, Manish Kaushik,
from April at 1 PM.
VikasKrishan, Ashish Kumar and Satish
Kumar have qualified for the Tokyo

● The show ShrimanShrimati is scheduled relief package announced by the Centre. In

for a comeback on DD National from next addition, there would be the usual
month in the 2 PM slot while Krishna Kali increase in banking activity that typically
serial will be telecast daily at 8:30 PM on happens at the beginning of a month due
DD National. to salary disbursements and pension
● The re-telecast of Ramayan and payments.
Mahabharat has already begun. ● Bankers said this week could prove to be
Information and Broadcasting Ministry challenging for the branch staff, especially
has said that it is mandatory for all the to ensure compliance with physical
DTH and Cable operators to show all the distancing norms.
DD Channels as well as LokSabha and ● Some of the lenders have already
RajyaSabha Channels as per the Cable withdrawn earlier instructions for rotation
Television Networks (Regulation) Act. It of duty on alternate days, effective from
said, non carriage of these channels is March 31. All staff members have been
liable for action under the Act. asked to report for duty.
● In case viewers are not able to see the ● Following the nationwide lockdown to
desired DD Channel they can complain fight the spread of COVID-19, public sector
about the same to the Station Head of the banks were operating on the basis of
nearest Doordarshan Kendra or e-mail at truncated working hours with limited
ddpb.inform@gmail.com. staffing and had been providing basic
banking services.
Finance minister asks banks to work for ● However, this had irked the Ministry which
full hours had reportedly sought an explanation from
the banks on why many branches were
● After being prodded by the Finance closed.
Ministry, state-owned banks have directed ● In a videoconference with bank chiefs on
their branches to ensure that the staff are Saturday, Finance Minister
present in full strength from Tuesday and NirmalaSitharaman had reviewed banks’
that the branches remain open for regular functioning during the lockdown, even
business hours in anticipation of the while maintaining social distancing.
higher footfall this week, especially in rural
and semi-urban branches where digital ADB announces $100m for funding
banking facilities are not being availed Indian infrastructure sector
extensively.
● Bankers are anticipating a rush in their ● Multilateral institution Asian Development
branches in rural and semi-urban areas as Bank (ADB) yesterday announced a 100
more customers are expected to queue up million US Dollars funding for the Indian
to withdraw cash after the government infrastructure sector through the
transfers Rs.500 to Jan Dhan account government-promoted National
holders as part of the COVID-19 economic Investment and Infrastructure Fund-NIIF.

● The Manila-based body will be investing in next three days, there will be four flights
NIIF, tranche of funds, which will ensure from Mumbai.
that the actual money invested will be a ● Air India is scheduled to first evacuate
few times more than the 100 million German nationals from different parts of
dollars. the country, including Goa, Kolkata,
● NIIF's Chief Executive Sujoy Bose said that Hyderabad, Chennai, and
the ADB's commitment to NIIF fund during Thiruvananthapuram and bring them to
these extraordinary and challenging times Delhi or Mumbai before the flight to
is highly meaningful. Frankfurt.
● Mr Bose said, ADB has been funding ● Officials also said there was a request to
Indian private equity funds for over two operate charters to London to enable U.K.
decades now and added the latest move citizens in India to return to their homes. A
will help NIIF commit money to private British High Commission spokesperson
equity fund managers who may be said, “The Foreign Secretary has spoken
struggling to raise money from overseas with the Indian External Affairs Minister
sources. and we are working urgently on a plan to
● The statement said, it has made get our people back.”
commitments to three funds aggregating
to over 2,600 crore rupees or 350 million India decides to temporarily close
dollars. consulates in Afghanistan
Germany and U.K to hire flights to ● Thirty-one Indian nationals, including 26
evacuate their citizens security force personnel of the
Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and four
● Germany and the United Kingdom have diplomats from the Indian consulate in
approached the Indian government to Jalalabad, returned here from Afghanistan
charter Air India flights for the return of on Monday, after the government decided
their nationals stranded in India following to temporarily close its consulates in
travel restrictions to curb the spread of Jalalabad and Herat over COVID-19 fears
COVID-19, several government officials and growing security threats.
said. ● All the personnel, who were brought in on
● Following the requests, between March 31 a special Kam airlines flight from Kabul
and April 3, Air India will operate nine organised by the Afghanistan Embassy to
flights to Frankfurt with its 256-seater fly out Afghan nationals, were taken
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. These directly to the ITBP special facility in
special flights come even as India has Chhawla for 14 days of quarantine, the
banned all commercial flights until April ITBP spokesperson said.
14. ● Another group of External Affairs Ministry
● On March 31, four flights will leave from and ITBP personnel from the consulate in
Mumbai and one from New Delhi. Over the Herat, near the Iranian border, are

expected to return on Thursday. As The the hospital. The product is highly useful
Hindu reported on Monday, operations at in quarantine facilities. The Department of
the consulate, which will be serviced by Science and Technology has released Rs 1
local personnel, are being suspended and crore to manufacture the product in a
will be resumed only after a detailed larger scale.
assessment, given the deteriorating ● The technology was developed under
security conditions in Afghanistan. “NIDHI PRAYAS” programme of
● In the past few days, Punjab Chief Minister Department of Science and
Amarinder Singh and Cabinet Minister Technology.TheScitechAiron machine
HarsimratKaurBadal have called for the creates negatively charged ions. These
government to relocate Sikhs from ions form clusters around viruses, bacteria
Afghanistan, given the worsening security and other airborne molds.
situation. ● They then render them inactive through
● In an exclusive interview to The Hindu, chemical reactions by creating Hydroxyl
Afghanistan’s Charge D'affaires Thairadry radicals (OH) groups.Apart from
said that while his government understood pathogens, the machine also decomposes
the concerns, Sikhs and Hindus remained harmful pollutants such as Carbon
an “integral part” of Afghan society, and Monoxide, Nitrogen dioxide, etc.
added that President Ashraf Ghani was ● There is lack of support in the early stages
“personally monitoring” investigations. of prototyping in the country.This causes
many innovators to lose interest in the
Indian scientists develop new negative early stages.PRAYAS is Promoting and
ion generator Accelerating Young and Aspiring
technology entrepreneurs.It is one of the 9
● A new technology has been adopted by programmes launched to turn the ideas of
the Maharashtra hospitals in the fight of young innovators into proof of concepts.
COVID-19 fight.The product developed is a
Negative Ion Generator. It has been named
“ScitechAiron”. It helps to control bacteria,
virus and fungal infections.
The product disinfects areas that were
●
exposed to infections thereby it ensures

well being of doctors, nurses and staff in


GIST OF Science Reporter Magazine

complex with different kinds of tissues
#1 Henneguya salminicola: The animal that and organelles. Till date, it was believed
doesn’t Need Oxygen to Respire that all animals undergo a process called
● Oxygen is vital for the functioning of all ‘cellular respiration’, which is the
multi-cellular organisms, however, conversion of sugars and oxygen to
scientists have recently found a species energy molecules known as ATP by an
of animal that exists without oxygen. The organelle called mitochondria, and these
animal is a parasite called Henneguya organelles possess their own
salminicola, a member of the jellyfish “mitochondrial” genes.
family. It survives in the muscles of ● The discovered parasite is also known to
salmon and trout, resulting in little white infect coho, pink, sockeye and chum
nodules known as “tapioca disease.” This salmon as well as rainbow trout. The
discovery was led by Dorothée Huchon, parasite completes its life cycle in two
Zoology Professor in the Faculty of Life organisms — fish and worm. The parasite
Sciences and the Steinhardt Museum of is comprised of about ten cells and can
Natural History at Tel Aviv University, live without the machinery to turn oxygen
Israel. into energy.
● According to the scientists, it will bring a ● The researchers reported these findings in
whole new dimension to the the journal Proceedings of the National
understanding of animals. While many Academy of Sciences. While sequencing
microbes have evolved the ability to live the genomes of Henneguya, extracted
without oxygen, animals are much more from a Chinook salmon and related fish

parasites, it was noticed that Henneguya’s could automatically regulate and monitor

mitochondrial genes were missing. glucose level in diabetics by delivering the
Initially, the scientists thought it was an required insulin dose.
error but DNA fluorescent staining also ● The stick-on device is about the size of a
revealed the absence of mitochondrial U.S. quarter coin and has tiny needles
DNA. Many of the genes of enzymes preloaded with insulin, which are less than
involved in respiration were also found to a millimetre in length and made out of a
be missing with the mitochondrial DNA. polymer that’s sensitive to glucose.
However, the scientists are still not sure ● The technology is cheap to manufacture
from where this animal derives its energy. and one day people with diabetes will
There is a lot to look forward to in this hopefully be able to put on one of these
unfolding story. patches in the morning without worrying
about the glucose levels throughout the

day.
#2 HUNU — A reusable Coffee Cup
● HUNU is a beautifully designed and easy

to-carry reusable coffee cup which is
incredibly light weighing less than 100 g
and measures less than 0.75 inches thin
when folded down.
● Because of collapsible design HUNU can
easily be fitted in the pocket. All materials
used in designing are BPA-free and fully
non-toxic.

#4 World’s Fastest Ant
#3 Smart insulin-delivery Patch
● Of the 1200 species of ants known, a

species known as Saharan Silver ant
● Researchers from the University of found in the desert are the world’s fastest
California Los Angeles, University of North ants. These ants routinely brave the
Carolina, and MIT have designed a smart blazing hot-midday sun to forage for food.
insulin delivery wearable patch which They are technically known as Cataglyphis

bombycina and commonly known as experiment concluded that the ants
Saharan silver ants. measure the distance travelled by sensory
● These ants are one of the most ability called proprioception that counted
heat-resistant animals known. Their the number of steps taken.
critical thermal maximum is 56°C and they ● The study was published in the Journal of
run at a speed up to 0.7 m/second. Their Experimental Biology (October 2019).
body is covered on the top and sides with

uniquely triangular shaped hairs which
serve as an antireflection layer that
#5 Turning Ocean Waters Acidic Threatening
enhances the ants’ ability to offload
Marine Life
excess heat by thermal radiation which is
emitted from the hot body of the ants to ● Seawater to be alkaline. Yet, our oceans
the air. are becoming more and more acidic. In
● These ants have long legs to keep their fact, they are currently 26% more acidic is
bodies away from the sand. While running salty, and as such one would expect it
at high speed they use only four of their than they were before the world became
six legs, raising their front pair of legs. industrialized, with the rate of acidification
● This ant is the fastest of all well known increasing faster than we have ever
ant species. It covers 108 times its own witnessed before.
body length per second. This is quicker ● Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
than an Olympic 100 m runner. continues to rise due to anthropogenic
● They are active outside their nest for CO2 emissions which are released when
about ten minutes/day due to pressure of fossil fuels are burned. This CO2 doesn’t
predation and temperature. They come just waft away into space, some of it
outside in midday when the temperature remains in the atmosphere where it acts
is around 47°C. The whole colony of ants as a greenhouse gas that traps heat,
leaves the nest in search of food and have making the planet warmer; and about 30%
to complete their work before the of it is absorbed by the oceans, where it
temperature reaches 53°C. changes the chemistry of seawater,
● The navigational capabilities of these ants making it more acidic.
have been the subject of numerous ● Yet, while this does reduce the amount of
scientific investigations. The suggestion carbon dioxide in the atmosphere — which
that the ants use polarized light as a is currently 40% higher than it was before
guide, is contradicted by the observation the industrial revolution — it is the primary
that they are able to assess how far they
have walked even in the dark. Another

cause of ocean acidification. ● Consequently, as more and more carbon

dioxide is absorbed by the oceans, the
concentration of carbonate decreases
There are two other potential causes of
while the concentrations of hydrogen and
acidification:
bicarbonate increase, resulting in a
● Acidification of coastal waters due to decrease in pH (potential of hydrogen —
runoff containing nitrogen and the scale used to measure the
phosphates from land-based sources; concentration of hydrogen). The more
● Release of carbon stored in frozen hydrogen ions are present in seawater (or
methane hydrates found in the ocean any solution), the more acidic it is, and
sediments, which can potentially be therefore the lower the pH.
released due to ocean warming — a
process that would not be reversible.
Effects of Ocean Acidification:
Oceans Act as Carbon Sink:
● Impact on Marine Life: Dissolved carbon
● The oceans play a key role in the natural dioxide is assimilated by phytoplankton
carbon cycle, with carbon dioxide moving during the process of photosynthesis, and
from the atmosphere into the oceans carbonate ions (calcium carbonate,
across the ocean-atmosphere interface. CaCO3) are synthesized by zooplankton
As carbon dioxide is found in higher and other marine organisms, such as
concentrations in the atmosphere, it is snails, shellfish and corals to build shells
readily absorbed by the oceans, which and skeletons. While high concentrations
traditionally act as a carbon sink. of CO2 may be beneficial to
● When carbon dioxide dissolves in photosynthesizing phytoplankton, fleshy
seawater it enters the carbonate system algae and seagrasses if sunlight and
where it occurs in one of three forms: nutrients are freely available, it can be
dissolved carbon dioxide, carbonate ions detrimental to other marine life.
(CO32−) or bicarbonate ions (HCO3−). When ● Carbonic acid can reduce the
carbon dioxide is absorbed into the concentration of calcium carbonate
oceans from the atmosphere it can needed by zooplankton and other calcium
chemically react with seawater to form builders to build and maintain their shells
carbonic acid (H2CO3), which slowly and skeletons. This can affect
releases hydrogen ions (H+). Some of development, growth, and survival of a
these hydrogen ions bond with carbonate wide range of species – from tiny
ions present in seawater to form zooplankton to mollusks, coral, urchins
bicarbonate.

and to a lesser degree, even crustaceans ● Reducing CO2 Emissions: As
such as crabs. anthropogenic CO2 emissions are the
● Coral reefs provide essential ecosystem primary cause of ocean acidification, the
services: they provide food and shelter for most realistic and feasible mitigation
a wide range of marine species and are solution is to reduce the amount of CO2 in
important breeding habitat and nursery the atmosphere by reducing CO2
grounds for commercial fishery species. emissions. To achieve this, we ultimately
They also offer coastal protection from need to reduce the amount of fossil fuels
storm surges and are an important source that are burned to produce power.
of tourism revenue. Their demise would
have substantial ecosystem, economic ● Removing CO2 from the Atmosphere:
and social implications. While removing CO2 from the atmosphere
● Impact on Marine Ecosystems: With using geoengineering methods seems a
some species, such as phytoplankton and tad far-fetched and is likely to be
seagrass expected to fare better in acidic expensive, it can easily be accomplished
waters than others, we are likely to see naturally by implementing appropriate
shifts in the species composition of land use practices that promote the
various marine ecosystems. This will lead absorption of atmospheric CO2 by plants
to changes in food webs, where predators and soil — for example, tree planting
will have to find alternative food sources initiatives, reforestation, and wetland
in order to survive. Those that are unable restoration programs.
to adapt are likely to disappear.
● Impact on Society: With severe ● Reducing Coastal Pollution: Reducing
implications to marine food webs, ocean nutrient pollution of coastal zones could
acidification ultimately poses a severe be an important mitigation measure in
threat to ecosystem health and diversity areas where pollution from terrestrial
and to both subsistence and commercial sources is a key driver of acidification.
fisheries, as well as coral reef tourism. This is particularly relevant in areas where
The demise of these income-generating calcifying marine organisms contribute
sectors could have substantial social and significantly to the local economy, for
economic ramifications. example, coral reef tourism or shellfish
aquaculture.
Solutions:

A number of mitigating solutions have been ● Improving Ecosystem Resilience: While
proposed to reduce ocean acidification. building ecosystem resilience in itself will
not reduce ocean acidification,

mechanisms such as marine protected using geoengineering methods, such as
areas can serve as tools to help solar irradiation, that target atmospheric
ecosystems become more resilient to the warming rather than atmospheric CO2 are
impacts of ocean acidification and other not likely to be beneficial in the short term.
stressors. However, they may play a role over larger
time scales by preventing carbon stored in
● Using Additives: The addition of alkaline methane hydrates from being released
mineral rocks to the ocean to act as a into the oceans due to melting hydrates.
buffering agent to reduce acidity, as has
been used in freshwater lakes, would only ● While some of the above solutions are
be economically feasible and effective in indeed creative, the only truly feasible and
coastal areas on a small scale. Scaling effective way to reduce atmospheric CO2
this up for the entire ocean would simply and ultimately ocean acidification is to
not be effective; nor would it be reduce the amount of CO2 emitted into
economically viable. This option could the atmosphere in the first place. The
potentially have negative environmental most effective way to do this would be to
impacts that are still unknown. replace dirty fossil fuels with cleaner
sources of energy. The technology is
● Adapting Human Activities: Human available, we just need the political will to
activities that depend on the oceans, such push ahead with this.
as commercial aquaculture and fisheries,

may need to adapt to changes in ocean
acidity as our knowledge and
#6 Mission Objectives of Aditya-L1
understanding improve through research.
This may lead to affected industries • Understanding the coronal heating and
evolving in line with changes and impacts solar wind acceleration.
if they wish to survive. For example, • Understanding initiation of coronal mass
hatchery managers can farm species that ejection, flares and near-earth space
have a higher tolerance of acidification, weather.
they can relocate their operation, or they • Knowledge of coupling and dynamics of
can limit pumping of water into the solar atmosphere.
tanks/ponds when pH levels are not too • Understanding solar wind distribution and
low. temperature anisotropy.

● Reducing Atmospheric Warming:
Reducing other greenhouse gases and

● Subfamily: Sapindaceae
● Genus: Litchi
#7 Lychee Fruit: The Good, the Bad and the ● Species: L. chinensis
Ugly ● Binomial name: Litchi chinensis
● ACUTE (AES) is a type of brain fever Health Benefits:

where a part of the brain Encephalitis ● Studies have suggested that a low
Syndrome becomes inflamed and the molecular weight polyphenol called
symptoms appear to be similar to fever. oligonol is abundantly found in lychee
Though lychee fruits are consumed fruits and is responsible for its antioxidant
throughout the world due to their rich and anti-influenza virus activity.
chemical composition and nutraceutical ● Like citrus fruits, lychee is also a good
properties, in the past decade several source of vitamin C, consumption of
speculations have come out connecting which helps the human body to develop
AES to the consumption of lychee fruit, resistance against several infectious
mainly by children below 10 years of age, agents. It is also a good source of vitamin
leading to fatal outcomes. B-complex and many minerals like
● Lychee (litchi) is a tropical tree belonging potassium and copper which have a major
to the Sapindaceae or soapberry family role in controlling heart-related problems.
which consists of over 2,000 species and ● Apart from the lychee fruit, its peel and
150 genera. It is a medium-sized tree that seeds have also attracted attention due to
can grow up to 40 to 50 feet in height. the presence of many beneficial
Lychee can also be grown as a source of substances that exhibit antioxidant,
food and even for ornamental purposes. cancer preventive, antimicrobial, and
Growth and Export: anti-inflammatory effects.
● Lychee fruit contains a high amount of
● India being the second-largest producer in carbohydrates and fibres and low
the world next to China. amounts of lipids and proteins. Several
Taxonomical classification: reports have shown a series of health
benefits of lychee fruits including
● Kingdom: Plantae antioxidant, cancer preventive,
● Clade: Angiosperms antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory activities,
● Clade: Eudicots and so on.
● Clade: Rosids
● Order: Sapindales Association with Health Complications:
● Family: Sapindaceae

● Lately, lychee fruit has become associated hypoglycemia. These chemicals are found

with some health complications in higher concentration in unripe fruits,
associated with its consumption which and their effects seem to be compounded
have even led to death. in undernourished children or when
● Recent researches have mentioned the consumed after a period of fasting.
presence of a chemical methylene

cyclopropyl glycine in lychee fruits which
can cause hypoglycemia (abnormally low
#8 AppStreamer — A New Software to
blood sugar). Its consumption was also
Stream Data
associated with encephalopathy (disorder
or disease of the brain) also known as ● A team led by Indian-origin researcher
chamki bukhar in local language from Saurabh Bagchi who is a professor at
patients majorly residing in the Northern Purdue University, US, has developed an
part of India. AppStreamer which is a software capable
● Deaths due to the consumption of lychee of streaming the data and reducing the
fruits have been reported regularly in India space occupied by apps on a smartphone.
especially in Bihar and West Bengal. The Without deleting the already existing apps,
affected individuals mainly belong to the the software enables the users to
age group of less than 10 years. continue downloading the apps they
● These outbreaks are suspected to be desire.
associated with Acute Encephalitis ● The software helps in streaming the data
Syndrome (AES) or Japanese Encephalitis to an app from a cloud server when
(JE) commonly referred to as brain fever. required which means the app will occupy
Early symptoms of AES are visible within a only the space it needs on a mobile at any
few minutes to hours which can be similar given time. 5G connectivity can better be
to those of flu, with high temperature or accommodated by using AppStreamer.
headache. With delay in taking treatment
measures, the symptoms may worsen
leading to seizures, paralysis and even
coma. #9 Wearable AC — On-skin Electronic Device
● The consumption of lychee fruits has also ● Engineers from the University of Missouri
been linked to hypoglycemia. The fruits have developed an on-skin device called
and seeds contain hypoglycin A and “Wearable air conditioning” having the
Methylene Cyclopropyl-glycin (MCPG), ability to monitor blood pressure, the
compounds that inhibit the synthesis of electrical activity of the heart and the level
glucose and can cause acute of skin hydration.

● The device is breathable and waterproof ● The researchers have redefined the usage
and delivers personal air conditioning to a of the compact disc altogether. Different
human body by the process of passive cells have different densities and thus
cooling. these can be separated in transparent
● The cooling does not utilise electricity, micro-fluidic channels by applying
such as a fan or pump avoiding any centrifugal force. After separation of cells,
discomfort to the user. Presently, the an innovative label free imaging method is
device is a small wired patch, and used to count the cells in different
researchers suggest that after two years segregated regions. The accuracy of
they’ll be able to design a wireless counting the cell in this arrangement is up
version. The findings of the work were to 95%.
published in the Journal Proceedings of ● This test is generally expensive because it
the National Academy of Sciences. needs an expensive microscope and a
trained person. However, IIT-KGP’s

innovative method replaces the traditional
manual counting of cells by a trained
#10 IIT-KGP Develops Cost-effective CBC
person by image processing by a trained
Test Kit
software mechanism. This process also
● RESEARCHERS Institute of Technology- does not require any post-processing of
Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) have at the Indian separated blood – the disc of the
come up with the innovation of a simple microfluidic device can be disposed of
low-cost motorized spinning disc-based after several tests.
kit that can perform Complete Blood ● The researchers have published the
Count (CBC) Test. It costs a nominal 10 methodology and results in the journal
rupees, whereas the same tests cost Biosensors and Bioelectronics (Elsevier).
around Rs 150-200 in government and The researchers are now reaching out to
private laboratories. MSMEs or related industrial organizations
● Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the for commercial product development for
common blood tests prescribed by the market.
doctors for clinical diagnosis and
prognosis from anaemia, infection, viral
fever, cancer, etc.


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GIST OF PIB (Press Information Bureau)

calendar month of Chot, which normally falls
#1 Spring harvest festivals in India on April 13 or 14 annually.
• The President of India greeted people on the • Poila Boishakh: Poila Boishakh also known

occasion of Vaisakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, as Pahela Baishakh or Bangla Nababarsha is
Naba Barsha, Vaisakhadi, Puthandu, Pirappu, the first day of Bengali Calendar.
which are being celebrated in different parts
of the country on 13th and 14th April 2020. • Mahabishuva Sankranti: On the same day,
Odisha celebrates Mahabisuha Sankranti,
About: better known as Pana Sankranti.
• Baisakhi: Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, • Puthandu: Puthandu in Tamil Nadu marks
Vaishakhi, or Vaisakhi, is celebrated with the first day of the Tamil New Year.
much fanfare in Punjab, Haryana, and
Chandigarh. Baisakhi is a spring harvest • Vishu: Vishu in Kerala marks the completion
festival for the Sikhs. Baisakhi also of the spring equinox. But unlike Onam, the
commemorates the formation of Khalsa other harvest festival, Vishu is a quieter affair,
Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. with Lord Vishnu in his Krishna avatar, the
presiding deity of the festivities. Malayalis
• Rongali Bihu: Assam celebrates Bihu thrice observe the ritual of ‘Vishukanni’.
in a year but Rongali Bihu is the biggest and
most popular. Rongali or the Bohag (spring) • Bikhoti: The Bikhoti Festival of Uttarakhand
Bihu starts on the last day of the Assamese involves people taking a dip in holy rivers.

• Jurshital: In the Mithal region of Bihar and announced by the Government of India in the
Nepal, the new year is celebrated as Jurshital. rural areas, through which financial provisions
laid down under PMGKY, PM Kisan and
MGNREGS reach the population during
COVID-19 pandemic.
#2 BC Sakhi and Bank Sakhis
#3 CollabCAD enable students to create 3D
• SHG women working as Business
Correspondents for banks (BC Sakhis) and Computer Aided Designs
Bank Sakhis playing a vital role in the • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog
disbursement of the first tranche of ex-gratia and National Informatics Centre (NIC) jointly
of Rs.500/- to women PMJDY accounts launched CollabCAD.
amidst COVID-19 Lockdown.
About:
Key highlights:
• CollabCAD is a collaborative network,
• Around 8800 BC Sakhi and 21600 Bank computer-enabled software system, providing
Sakhi, around 50% of both cadre voluntarily a total engineering solution from 2D drafting
started working amidst Lockdown across the and detailing to 3D product design.
country right from Assam, Mizoram, Sikkim,
Manipur to Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, • The aim of this initiative is to provide a great
Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, platform to students of Atal Tinkering Labs
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar (ATLs) across the country to create and
Pradesh, and Tamilnadu. modify 3D Computer Aided Designs with free
flow of creativity and imagination.
• Bank Sakhis are supporting Bank Branch
Managers in managing rush at branches • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) housed at
during DBT payment and ensuring the social NITI Aayog is the Government of India’s
distancing of customers by creating flagship initiative to promote a culture of
awareness among the rural communities. innovation and entrepreneurship.
• SHG members engaged as BC Sakhi/ Bank • At the school level, AIM is establishing Atal
Sakhi are playing a vital role in ensuring the Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in all districts across
disbursement of financial relief packages India.
provided by the Government of India.
#4 YUKTI
• BC Sakhi/ Bank Sakhi has become a focal
point person in disseminating information • Union Minister for HRD Shri Ramesh
regarding the financial relief packages Pokhriyal “Nishank” has launched a

web-portal YUKTI (Young India Combating About:

COVID with Knowledge, Technology and
• To provide a fair price to the MFP gatherers
Innovation) today in New Delhi.
for the produce collected by them and
About: enhance their income level
• It’s a unique portal and dashboard to • To ensure sustainable harvesting of MFPs.
monitor and record the efforts and initiatives
• The Scheme will have a huge social dividend
of MHRD.
for MFP gatherers, the majority of whom are
• The portal intends to cover the different tribals.
dimensions of COVID-19 challenges in a very
• The MSP scheme seeks to establish a
holistic and comprehensive way.
framework to ensure fair returns for the
• Speaking on the occasion Union Minister produce collected by tribals, assurance of
said that in the wake of COVID-19 threat, our buying at a particular price, primary
primary aim is to keep our academic processing, storage, transportation, etc while
community healthy, both physically and ensuring the sustainability of the resource
mentally and to enable a continuous base.
high-quality learning #8environment for
• Earlier, the scheme was only implemented in
learners.
States having Scheduled areas as listed in the
• The portal is an effort of the HRD Ministry to Fifth Schedule of the constitution of India.
achieve this goal in these difficult times. But since 2016, the scheme is applicable in
all States.

#6 Telemedicine Guidelines Approved for

#5 Implementing Agencies to initiate
Homoeopathic Practitioners
procurement from available funds under
MSP for MFP scheme • On the occasion of World Homoeopathy
Day, Union AYUSH Minister approved
• TRIFED under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Telemedicine Guidelines for Homoeopathic
has asked the State Nodal Departments and
Practitioners.
Implementing Agencies to initiate
procurement of Minor Forest Produces About:
(MFPs) at Minimum Support Price (MSP)
• The World Homoeopathy Day is observed
from the available funds under MSP for MFP
every year on April 10, to commemorate the
Scheme.
birth anniversary of the founder of

Homoeopathy, Christian Fredrich Samuel respiratory and other body fluid solidification
Hahnemann. and disinfection.
• Homeopathy is an alternative medical • This has been developed for the safe
system that was developed in 1796 by management of infected respiratory
Samuel Hahnemann in Germany. secretions. Acrylic Sorb can absorb liquids at
least 20 times more than its dry weight and
• The name homeopathy is derived from the
also contains a decontaminant for in situ
Greek words for ‘similar suffering’ referring to
disinfection.
the ‘like cures like’ principle of healing.
• Containers filled with this material will
Its key underlying theories are as follows:
immobilize the contaminated fluid by
• A substance taken in small amounts will solidifying it (gel-like), thus avoiding spillage
cure the same symptoms it causes if taken in and will also disinfect it. The canister
large amounts. containing the solidified waste canister can
then be decomposed as all other biomedical
• The lower the dose of the medication, the
waste by incineration.
greater its effectiveness.
• In the developed system, suction canisters,
#7 Chitra Acrylosorb Secretion Solidification disposable spit bags have been designed
System with “Acrylic Sorb” technology. They are lined
inside with the AcryloSorb material. The
• The material titled Chitra Acrylosorb AcryloSorb suction canisters will collect the
Secretion Solidification System has been liquid respiratory secretions from ICU
developed by Scientists at Sree Chitra Tirunal patients or those with copious secretions
Institute for Medical Sciences and treated in the wards.
Technology (SCTIMST).
• The container will be spill-proof and can be
• Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical sealed after use, making it safe and fit for
Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) is an disposal through the usual incineration
autonomous institute under the Department system for biomedical wastes. Sealable and
of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of disposable AcryloSorb spit bags are provided
India. for solidifying the sputum and saliva of
About: ambulant patients with respiratory infections,
which can then be incinerated.
• The material titled Chitra Acrylosorb
Secretion Solidification System’ is a highly Significance:
efficient superabsorbent material for liquid

• Generally, in the ICU, the secretions are Kits for distribution to needy families in the
sucked by a suction machine into bottles or wake of COVID-19.
canisters, which have to be emptied when full,
• Each such Kit consisting of 9 items is meant
subjected to a decontamination process in a
to assist one needy family for some time.
sluice room and discarded through the waste
fluid disposal systems.
#9 Madhuban Gajar
• Apart from the re-contamination risk during
• Madhuban Gajar, a biofortified carrot variety
the handling involved in these processes,
with high β-carotene and iron content
there is a need for well-equipped sluice
developed by Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai
rooms with disinfection facilities, which can
Marvaniya, a farmer scientist from Junagadh
be an issue in less well-equipped hospitals or
district, Gujarat is benefitting more than 150
makeshift isolation wards during epidemics.
local farmers in the area.
• This technology reduces the risk for the
About:
hospital staff, the need for personnel for
disinfecting and cleaning the bottles and • The variety is being cultivated in more than
canisters for reusing them and makes the 1000 hectares of land in Gujarat,
disposal safer and easier. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar
Pradesh during the last three years.
#8 Kendriya Bhandar
• The Madhuvan Gajar is a highly nutritious
• Responding to the call of the Hon Prime carrot variety developed through the selection
Minister of India in the wake of the COVID 19 method with higher β-carotene content
pandemic, Union Ministries of Personnel, (277.75 mg/kg) and iron content (276.7
Public Grievances, Pensions and DoNER have mg/kg) dry basis and is used for various
been taking a series of measures after the value-added products like carrot chips, juices,
declaration of the Lockdown. and pickles.
About: • Among all the varieties tested,

beta-carotene and iron content were found to
• Kendriya Bhandar, which functions under the
be superior.
Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)
has • Shri Vallabhai Vashrambhai Marvaniyawas
taken the unique initiative of providing conferred with a National Award by the
“Essentials Kits” to needy families. President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New
Delhi during Festival of Innovation (FOIN) –
• Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh
handed over a consignment of 2200 Essential

2017. He was conferred with Padma Shri in • In order to provide help and support to such
the year 2019 for his extraordinary work. students, AICTE (All India Council for
Technical Education) has come out with a
#10 India’s Science and Tech Institutions unique MHRD AICTE COVID-19 Student
Raise their Game Against COVID-19 Helpline Portal to address the issues.
• Under its Intensification of Research in High • The website with an URL

Priority Area (IRPHA) scheme, SERB had https://helpline.aicte-india.org was launched
invited competitive proposals to ramp up by the Honorable Minister for Human
national R and D efforts for epidemiological Resource development.
studies on new antivirals, vaccines, and • The Minister informed that more than 6500
affordable diagnostic against COVID-19 and colleges have already come forward to
related respiratory viral infections. provide support at such a crucial juncture.
About: Students in difficulty are encouraged to
directly get connected with them through this
• The Intensification of Research in High portal.
Priority Areas (IRHPA) program of Science
and Engineering Research Board (SERB)
supports proposals in high priority areas from
the viewpoint of advances in fundamental #12 MPLADS
science. • As a part of Government’s continued efforts
• The project will be set up around to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Union
established research groups led by a Cabinet has decided to suspend Members of
Principal Investigator (PI). Parliament Local Area Development Scheme
(MPLADS) fund for two years (2020-21 and
• The duration of the project is normally for a
2021-22).
period of 5 years (3 years for COVID-19).
About:
#11 MHRD AICTE COVID-19 Student • These funds will be used to strengthen the
Helpline Portal Government's efforts in managing the
• In view of the outbreak of COVID19 and challenges and adverse impact of COVID19 in
National lockdown since March 25th, some the country.
students have been facing difficulties due to • An amount to the tune of 7900 crore rupees
closure of colleges and hostels. will be accumulated and deposited in the
About: consolidated Fund of India to fight COVID-19.

• MPLADS was launched in It was diagnostics, therapeutics, informatics, and
implemented by the Ministry of Statistics and any effective interventions to control
Programme Implementation. COVID-19.
• It will provide access to pan India networks

#13 Centre for Augmenting WAR with
for testing, trial and market deployment of
COVID-19 Health Crisis
these products and solutions in the identified
• Department of Science and Technology, areas of priority COVID-19 solutions. This will
Government of India in a rapid response to help to address various challenges faced by
combat COVID-19 global pandemic approved the country due to the severe impact of
setting up of a Centre for Augmenting WAR COVID-19.
with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH). • CAWACH program of DST is focused on
About: leveraging the youthful energy, intelligence
and extraordinary innovative potential of our
• It aims to scout, evaluate and support the technology incubators and startups and
innovations and start-ups that address empowering them for scale-up to speedily
COVID-19 challenges. address the multi-dimensional challenges of
• The Society for Innovation and COVID-19 across respiratory aids, disinfection
Entrepreneurship (SINE), a technology systems, protective gear and coatings,
business incubator at IIT Bombay supported information and monitoring assists,
by DST has been identified as the diagnostics, and the plethora of other
Implementing Agency of the CAWACH. relevant materials, devices, and solutions.
Crucial findings:
• The CAWACH’s mandate will be to extend #14 Exercise NCC Yogdan
timely support to potential startups by way of
the requisite financial assistance and fund • The National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered
deployment targeting innovations that are a helping hand to civilian authorities in the
deployable in the market within the next 6 country’s fight against COVID-19 by extending
months. the services of cadets under ‘Exercise NCC
Yogdan’.
• CAWACH will identify up to 50 innovations
and startups that are in the area of a novel, About:
low cost, safe and effective ventilators,
• It has issued guidelines for temporary
respiratory aids, protective gear, novel employment of its cadets to augment relief
solutions for sanitizers, disinfectants,

efforts and the functioning of various supervision of the State Drug Controller of
agencies involved in battling the pandemic. Jammu and Kashmir.
• The tasks envisaged for NCC cadets include • The unit shall be funded by NPPA for its
manning of helpline/call centers; distribution recurring and non-recurring expenses. The
of relief materials/medicines/ food/essential PMRU shall help NPPA and State Drug
commodities; community assistance; data Controller in ensuring the availability and
management and queue and traffic accessibility of medicines at affordable
management. prices.
• According to the guidelines, cadets should • It is also expected to organize seminars,
not be employed in the handling of law and training programs, and other information,
order situation or for active military duties or education and communication (IEC) activities
at hot spots. Only Senior Division volunteer in the areas of availability and affordability of
cadets above 18 years of age will be medicines for all.
employed.
• PMRU will also collect samples of
medicines, collect and analyze data and
make reports with respect to availability and
#15 Jammu and Kashmir sets up PMRU of over-pricing of medicines for taking action
NPPA under the provisions of Drug Price Control
Order (DPCO).
• Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has
become the 12th State where the Price • This assumes added significance as PMRU,
Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) has Jammu and Kashmir will assist NPPA and
been set up by the National Pharmaceutical Governments in checking overpricing and
Pricing Authority (NPPA). identifying causes and addressing local
issues of shortages/hoarding in the current
• PMRUs have already been set up by NPPA in situation when the country is fighting the
11 States, including Kerala, Odisha, Gujarat, COVID-19 pandemic.
Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Nagaland,
Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and #16 Medical Devices notified as Drugs
Mizoram.
• Government is regulating 24 class of
About:
medical devices which have been
• The PMRU, a registered society, shall notified/regulated as drugs under Drugs and
function under the direct control and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and
Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

Category highlights: provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order,

2013 (DPCO, 2013) w.e.f. 1st April 2020.
• Of the above, 4 medical devices viz.
• Cardiac Stents #17 Companies Fresh Start Scheme, 2020”

and revised the “LLP Settlement Scheme,
• Drug Eluting Stents
2020
• Condoms and
• The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has
• (iv) Intra Uterine Device (Cu-T) are introduced the “Companies Fresh Start
scheduled medical devices for which ceiling Scheme, 2020” and revised the “LLP
prices have been fixed. Settlement Scheme, 2020” to provide relief to
Other highlights: law abiding companies and Limited Liability
Partnerships (LLPs) in the wake of COVID 19.
• These 4 medical devices are under price
control. About:
• Therefore, the Maximum Retail Prices • The Schemes gives longer timelines for
(MPRs) of all the Medical Devices would be corporates to comply with various filing
monitored by the Government under the requirements under the Companies Act 2013
provisions of Para 20(1) of the Drugs (Prices and LLP Act, 2008.
Control) Order, 2013. • The USP of both the schemes is a one-time
• This will ensure that no waiver of additional filing fees for delayed
manufacturer/importer increases the MRP of filings by the companies or LLPs with the
a drug more than 10% of MRP during the Registrar of Companies during the period
preceding 12 month. starting from 1st April, 2020 and ending on
30th September, 2020.
• Further, the manufacturer/importer shall
also be liable to deposit the overcharged • The Schemes also significantly reduce the
amount along with interest thereon from the related financial burden on them, especially
date of increase in price in addition to for those with long standing defaults, thereby
penalty. giving them an opportunity to make a “fresh
start”.
• Earlier, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing
Authority (NPPA) vide Notification dated 11th • Both the Schemes also contain provision for
February, 2020, stated that all medical giving immunity from penal proceedings,
devices shall be governed under the including against imposition of penalties for
late submissions and also provide additional
time for filing appeals before the concerned

Regional Directors against imposition of Workers Fighting COVID-19’ has been
penalties, if already imposed. approved with the following conditions:
• However, the immunity is only against Key highlights:

delayed filings in MCA21 and not against any
• It will provide an insurance cover of Rs. 50
substantive violation of law.
lakh for ninety (90) days to a total of around
22.12 lakh public healthcare providers,
#18 GreenCo Rating system
including community health workers, who
• GreenCo Rating system has been may have to be in direct contact and care of
acknowledged in India’s Intended Nationally COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of
Determined Contribution (INDC) document, being impacted by this. It will also include
submitted to the United Nations Framework accidental loss of life on account of
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in contracting COVID-19;
2015, as a proactive voluntary action of
• On account of the unprecedented situation,
Indian industry / private sector towards
private hospital staff/ retired/volunteer/ local
combating climate change.
urban bodies/contract/daily wage/
About: ad-hoc/outsourced staff requisitioned by
States/ Central hospitals/autonomous
• GreenCo Rating System has been developed
hospitals of Central/States/UTs, AIIMS and
by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
INIs/ hospitals of Central Ministries can also
• It helps the industrial units in implementing be drafted for COVID-19 related
various measures in terms of energy responsibilities. These cases will also be
conservation, material conservation, covered subject to numbers indicated by
recycling, utilisation of renewable energy, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare;
Green House Gases (GHG) reduction, water
• The insurance provided under this scheme
conservation, solid and liquid waste
would be over and above any other insurance
management, green cover etc.
cover being availed of by the beneficiary.
#19 Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package

#20 Scitech Airon
• As per the announcement made under the
• A technology has been developed by an
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the
incubatee company of Scitech Park, Pune
launch of ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
which offers an effective solution for India’s
Package: Insurance Scheme for Health
fight against Covid 19 by reducing the viral

load of infected areas within a room

#22 BARA-LACHA LA
significantly within an hour.
• Braving the threat of COVID-19, the Border
About:
Roads Organsation (BRO) personnel are
• The negative ion generator titled Scitech working relentlessly to completely replace
Airon, which helps to control the virus, Daporijo bridge (430 feet Multi Span Bailey
bacteria, and fungal infections in a closed Brigde).
environment, could clean up the air and
• It is the only lifeline of Upper Subansiri
disinfect areas which are exposed to the
district, Arunachal Pradesh to restore Lines of
infection through Covid 19 positive cases and
Communication for all 451 villages and
suspects.
Security Forces located along the China
• Hence it could ensure the wellbeing of the border.
staff, doctors, and nurses who are working
About:
round the clock in the quarantine facilities by
enhancing their disease resistance power and • A BRO statement said it is committed with
ability to fight the virus. the resolve of opening this vital line of
communication by planned date, with all
#21 Corona Studies Series necessary precautionary measures.
• National Book Trust (NBT) will launch • BRO is presently engaged in Snow clearance

Corona Studies Series books to provide operations on Manali – Leh axis, day and
relevant reading materials for all age-groups night despite inclement weather and COVID
for the post-Corona readership needs. 19 threat to provide relief to Lahaul valley and
Ladakh in an earlier time frame. Presently
About:
Rohtang Pass and Baralacha La Pass is being
• Realising the extraordinary psychological, addressed by four snow clearance teams.
social, economic and cultural significance of
• This is the first time BRO personnel were
Corona Pandemic for the human society in
inducted by air to Sarchu to carry out snow
times to come, NBT will launch this series.
clearance of mighty Baralacha La Pass from
• The ‘Corona Studies Series’ will be the Sarchu side.
long-term contribution to prepare and engage
• The Border Roads Organisation, an
readers with the various aspects of the
important arm of the Ministry of Defence,
Corona times by bringing out affordable
plays a pivotal role in constructing and
books in various Indian languages in the
maintaining operational road infrastructure in
identified subject areas.
inhospitable and far flung border areas to

support the armed forces meet their strategic • Remote Work and Remote Education,

needs.
• Stabilizing Affected Businesses and the
Open Category where one has the flexibility to
#23 Fight Corona IDEAthon
choose and solve their own challenges.
• Fight Corona IDEAthon, a 2-day online

ideathon, is an initiative jointly organised by
MHRD Innovation Cell, AICTE, MEITY Startup
#24 StayHomeIndiaWithBooks initiative
Hub, InnovatioCuris and other institutions of
global and national prominence offering • The National Book Trust of HRD Ministry, in
support in terms of Technology, Knowledge, its efforts to encourage people to read books
Outreach, etc., with Forge Accelerator as the while at home, is providing its select and
Partner incubator, in the endeavour to scout best-selling titles for FREE Download as part
for accessible and affordable technological of its initiative of #StayHomeIndiaWithBooks
solutions that can contain the rapid spread of
About:
infection, ease the mounting pressure and
ensure a quick return to normalcy. • The 100+ books, in PDF format, can be
downloaded from the NBT’s website
Key objectives:
https://nbtindia.gov.in. Available in Hindi,
• Challenges and problem statements have English, Asamiya, Bangla, Guajarati,
been sought from healthcare professionals, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Kokborok, Mizo,
government officials and other stakeholders Bodo, Nepali, Tamil, Punjabi, Telugu, Kannada,
working on the ground and are curated under Urdu and Sanskrit, the books cover all genres
8 different categories such as – of fiction, biography, popular science,
teacher’s handbook, and majorly books for
• Personal Hygiene and Protection,
children and young adults.
• Preparedness and Responsible Behavior,
• In addition, there are books by Tagore, by
• Medical Systems – Diagnostic and Premchand, and books on Mahatma Gandhi
Therapeutic, — all in all there are books for everyone in the
family to read and enjoy. More titles will be
• Testing and Monitoring – Devices and
added to the list.
IT/Digital/Data Solutions,
• Some select titles include, Holidays Have
• Protecting Most Vulnerable Groups,
Come, Animals You can’t Forget, Nine Little
• Community Task Forces/Working Groups, Birds, The Puzzle, Gandhi Tatva Satkam,
Women Scientists in India, Activity-Based

Learning Science, A Touch of Glass, Gandhi: • Such textures can trap wear debris when
Warrior of Non-Violence, and many more. operating under dry sliding conditions and
sometimes provide effects like enhancing oil
supply (lubricant reservoir) which can lower
friction coefficients and may enable reduced
wear rate.
#26 MACS 4028
• Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute

(ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under
the Department of Science and Technology
have developed a biofortified durum wheat
variety MACS 4028, which shows high protein
content.
About:
#25 Laser surface micro-texturing • MACS 4028 is a semi-dwarf variety, which
matures in 102 days and has shown the
• International Advanced Centre for Powder superior and stable yielding ability of 19.3
Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) has quintals per hectare. It is resistant to stem
developed ultrafast laser surface texturing rust, leaf rust, foliar aphids, root aphids, and
technology, which can improve the fuel brown wheat mite.
efficiency of internal combustion engines.
• The wheat variety shown high protein
About: content of about 14.7%, better nutritional
• Laser surface micro-texturing, which offers quality having zinc 40.3 ppm, and iron content
precise control of the size, shape and density of 40.3ppm and 46.1ppm respectively, good
of micro-surface texture features has gained milling quality and overall acceptability.
momentum as a way to control friction and • The MACS 4028 variety is also included by
wear. the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) programme
• In this technology, a pulsating laser beam for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
creates micro-dimples or grooves on the to alleviate malnutrition in a sustainable way
surface of materials in a very controlled and can boost the Vision 2022 “Kuposhan
manner. Mukt Bharat”, the National Nutrition Strategy.

• ICU Ventilator and Isolation/ Quarantine

#27 MPLADS funds may be utilized for
Wards within their approved facilities.
COVID-19
• Face masks, gloves and Sanitizers for
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme medical personnel.
Implementation (MoSPI) has issued a circular
granting one-time dispensation for utilizing • Any other medical equipment recommended
funds under the Members of Parliament by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for prevention, control and treatment of
to address the challenges in the fight against COVID-19.
COVID-19.
#28 National Centre for Disease Control
• This will facilitate Members of Parliament to
recommend funds for purchase of • The Union Minister of Health and Family
equipments for Government Hospitals / Welfare visited National Centre for Disease
Dispensaries for medical testing and Control (NCDC) Control Room and the Testing
screening of patients and also facilitate in Laboratories.
setting up other related facilities in their About:
respective constituencies.
• The Institute is under administrative control
Key highlights of the MPLADS uses for the of the Director General of Health Services,
following:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt.
• Infra-Red thermometers (Non-contact) to of India.
enable doctors and medical personnel to • The Director, an officer of the Public Health
record and track a person’s temperature. sub-cadre of Central Health Service, is the
• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Kits to administrative and technical head of the
keep the medical personnel well-protected Institute.
and enable them to function efficiently by • The National Centre for Disease Control
minimizing the risk of transmission.
(NCDC), formerly National Institute of
• Thermal imaging scanners or cameras for Communicable Diseases (NICD) had its origin
railway stations, airports and other points of as Central Malaria Bureau, established at
entry which allow detecting of temperature Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1909.
from a safe distance. • It functions as the nodal agency in the
• CORONA testing kits approved by M/o country for disease surveillance facilitating
Health and Family Welfare

prevention and control of communicable Development Bank of India) for responding
diseases. and resolving queries for MSMEs.
• The platform also includes frequently asked

#29 Invest India Business Immunity Platform
questions on important aspects like locations
• Invest India, India’s national Investment of COVID-19 testing, special permissions and
Promotion and Facilitation Agency, under the other location-specific information.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry has
• The portal also maps and highlights the
launched The Invest India Business Immunity
response mechanism put in place by leading
Platform.
Indian companies such as sanitation of staff
About: vehicles, placing orders in alternate markets,
disabling biometric attendance systems,
• The platform, hosted on the Invest India
setting up of medical task force, requesting
website, is designed as a comprehensive
trainees to go home, business continuity plan,
resource to help businesses and investors get
barring entry of visitors, suspension of air
real-time updates on India’s active response
travel, usage of video-conferencing and
to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
tele-conferencing, developing online solutions
• This dynamic and constantly updating and other unique initiatives.
platform keeps a regular track on
developments with respect to the virus, #30 Yugadi
provides latest information on various central
• The Vice President of India has wished the
and state government initiatives, gives
people on the eve of Ugadi, Gudi Padava,
access to special provisions, and answers
Chaitra Sukladi, Sajibu Cheiraoba, Navreh and
and resolves queries through emails and on
Cheti Chandwhich mark the beginning of a
WhatsApp.
new year in different parts of India.
Key highlights:
About:
• The Business Immunity Platform (BIP) is the
• Yugadi (also known as Samvatsaradi or
active platform for business issue redressal,
ugadi): It is the New Year’s Day for the people
operating 24/7, with a team of dedicated
of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
sector experts and responding to queries at
states in India. It is observed in these regions
the earliest.
on the first day of month of Chaitra (the first
• Invest India has also announced a month of lunar calendar).
partnership with SIDBI (Small Industries

• Gudi Padwa: Maharashtrians term celebrate manufacturing of small arms and

the festival as Gudi Padwa. ammunition under the Arms Act, 1959.
• Cheti Chand: Sindhis celebrate the same day • As per the data furnished by 79 companies

as Cheti Chand. in Defence and Aerospace sector, so far (i.e.
till December, 2019), FDI inflows of over Rs.
• Sajibu Nongma Panba (also called Meitei
3155 crores have been reported in Defence
Cheiraoba or Sajibu Cheiraoba): Manipuris
and Aerospace sectors. Further, FDI inflows
also celebrate the same day as Sajibu
of over Rs. 1834 crores have been reported in
Nongma Panba.
Defence and Aerospace sector after 2014.
• Traditionally, these festivals mark the onset
of New Year and the warmer months and they #32 National Supercomputing Mission
reflect values of prosperity and well being.
• The Government of India informed the
parliament about the National
#31 Relaxation of FDI norms in Defence
Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
Sector
About:
• In May 2001, the Defence Industry sector,
which was hitherto reserved for the public • The mission was set up to provide the
sector, was opened upto 100% for Indian country with supercomputing infrastructure
private sector participation, with Foreign to meet the increasing computational
Direct Investment (FDI) upto 26% both demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs,
subject to licensing. and startups by creating the capability
design, manufacturing, of supercomputers
About:
indigenously in India.
• Department for Promotion of Industry and
• A first of its kind attempt to boost the
Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and country’s computing power, the National
Industry has allowed FDI under automatic Super Computing Mission is steered jointly by
route upto 49% and above 49% through the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and
government route wherever it is likely to Department of Science and Technology (DST)
result in access to modern technology or for and implemented by the Centre for
other reasons to be recorded. Development of Advanced Computing
• Further, FDI in the defence industry sector is (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of
subject to industrial license under Industries Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
(Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 and
• The target of the mission was set to
establish a network of supercomputers

ranging from a few Tera Flops (TF) to • The supply of Body Coveralls from
Hundreds of Tera Flops (TF) and three indigenous manufacturers according the
systems with greater than or equal to 3 Peta Ministries of Health and Family Welfare and
Flops (PF) in academic and research Textiles revised technical requirement dated
institutions of National importance across 2nd March 2020, has already commenced.
the country by 2022.
• Government has also issued orders banning
• This network of Supercomputers envisaging of exports of Body Coveralls to maintain a
a total of 15-20 PF was approved in 2015 and strong reserve of this essential medical
was later revised to a total of 45 PF (45000 product.
TFs), a jump of 6 times more compute power
within the same cost and capable of solving #34 Shaheedi Diwas
large and complex computational problems.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes
to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru on the
#33 Body Coveralls
occasion of the Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrs’
• Over the last 45 days, Ministries of Health Day).
and Family Welfare and Textiles are
About:
attempting to locate adequate number of
sources who can produce and supply the • The anniversary of the deaths of Bhagat
requirement of Body Coveralls for the Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru
government. on 23 March 1931, in Lahore is declared to be
Martyr’s Day.
About:
• Bhagat Singh conspired with revolutionaries
• Since Body Coveralls (PPE) is a specialized
like Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar, and
protective suit meant for high level of
Chandrashekhar Azad to kill Scott to avenge
protection to the health professionals, it has
Lala Lajpat Rai’s death. However, in a case of
stringent technical requirements as
mistaken identity, the plotters shot John P.
prescribed by Ministry of Health and Family
Saunders, an Assistant Superintendent of
Welfare.
Police.
• During the last week of January 2020, the
• Surfacing again in April 1929, he and
technical standard for the Coveralls was
another associate, Batukeshwar Dutt,
prescribed as per WHO class-3 exposure
exploded two improvised bombs inside the
pressure in accordance with ISO 16003 or its
Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi.
equivalent. Such materials are manufactured
by a few international companies. #35

IUSSTF
• A total of 14 students from India will

undertake a research internship at Viterbi
School of Engineering, University of Southern
California, LA, USA. The internship would
commence from mid-May for a period of 8
weeks.
About:
• The Viterbi Program of IUSSTF was

developed between IUSSTF and the Viterbi
School of Engineering, University of Southern
California (USC).
• The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology

Forum (IUSSTF) was established under an
agreement between the Governments of India
and the United States of America in 2000.
• It is an autonomous bilateral organization

jointly funded by both the Governments that
promote Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Innovation through substantive
interaction among government, academia,
and industry.
• The Department of Science and Technology

(DST), Governments of India, and the U.S.
Department of State are respective nodal
departments.


Study Material for IAS (UPSC) General Studies Pre. Cum Mains (Combo) English
UPSC - IAS PRE (GS+CSAT) Solved Papers & Test Series English
UPSC सामा अ यन ारं िभक एवं मु परी ा (Combo) Study Kit Hindi
Study Material for IAS Prelims: GS Paper -1 + CSAT Paper-2 English
Study Kit for IAS (Pre) GENERAL STUDIES Paper-1 (GS) English
Study Kit for IAS (Pre) CSAT Paper-2(Aptitude) English
Public Administration Optional for UPSC Mains English
सामा अ यन (GS) ारं िभक परी ा (Pre) पेपर-1 िह ी
आई. ए. एस. (सी-सैट) ांरिभक परी ा पेपर -2 िह ी
Gist of NCERT Study Kit For UPSC Exams English
यूपीएससी परी ा के िलए एनसीईआरटी अ यन साम ी िह ी
COMPLETE STUDY MATERIAL FOR IAS PRELIMS EXAM English
COMPLETE STUDY MATERIAL FOR IAS PRE+MAINS+INTERVIEW EXAM English
UPSC, IAS िसिवल सेवा परी ा संपूण अ यन साम ी ( ारं िभक, मु , सा ा ार) िह ी

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GIST OF KURUKSHETRA Magazine 22

GIST OF THE HINDU (Newspaper) 36

OECD lowers India’s growth rate to 5.1% 42

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India not to accept limits of farm input subsidies 59

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SC clears way for permanent commission for women in Navy 75

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GIST OF Science Reporter Magazine 107

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#5 Turning Ocean Waters Acidic Threatening Marine Life 109

GIST OF PIB (Press Information Bureau) 116

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#29 Invest India Business Immunity Platform 130

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GIST OF YOJANA Magazine

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● Revenue deﬁcit indicates that the N. K. Singh to appraise the FRBM act after

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billion by 2021, creating many new jobs,

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● The second pillar of this vision is

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Third Pillar crore for 2020-2021 reaﬃrms this

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● National Animal Disease Control ● Financing on Negotiable warehousing

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Conclusion: • At secondary level, it is 81.32% as

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No. of Issues: 12 Months (1 Year)

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GIST OF KURUKSHETRA Magazine

Introduction: ● The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural

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NABARD’s reﬁnance plan will be made ● Krishi Udaan Yojana will also be launched.

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Storage and Marketing: ● Increase in agricultural productivity and

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sections and low income groups at an

● No Frills Account/BSBD As

Private sector approach:

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Conclusion: Tapping Trade Potential:

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● The Budget also mentions about creating ● The three Ts entail development within the

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GIST OF THE HINDU (Newspaper)

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