DAILY DIGEST for 02-05-2020 - USEFUL FOR ALL COMPETITIVE EXAMS || PT's IAS Acedamy

SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Lockdown extended till May 17; curbs stay on public transport – The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new guidelines allowing considerable relaxations across red, orange and green zones, based on the evidence of COVID-19 infection, even though it extended the countrywide lockdown till May 17. The lockdown, imposed first on March 24 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, was to end on May 3. The MHA asked local authorities to ensure 100% coverage of the Aarogya Setu app among the residents in the containment zones. In green zones, buses can operate with up to 50% seating capacity and bus depots can operate with up to 50% capacity. In orange zones, taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted to ply with only one passenger.
2. Health Ministry identifies 130 districts as red zones – The Union Health Ministry listed 130 districts in the country in the red zone, 284 in the orange zone and 319 in the green zone for a week after May 3, ahead of the extension of the second phase of the nationwide lockdown. Under this classification, a district will be considered under green zone if there has been no confirmed case of COVID-19 so far or if there is no reported case since last 21 days in the district. Red zones are identified based on total active cases, doubling rate of confirmed cases, extent of testing and district feedback. Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat are among the States with a heavy COVID-19 load as per the list.
3. Direct taxes revenues defy lockdown, jump 36.6% in April – Direct tax collection recorded a healthy growth in April despite the nationwide lockdown and grew by 36.6%. The net direct tax collection for April 2020 was Rs. 34,780.4 crore as compared to Rs. 25,466 crore recorded in April 2019, a jump of 36.6%. Income tax collection in April was Rs. 19,762.1 crore while corporate tax collection was Rs. 14,608.1 crore. The government is expected to miss the direct tax collection target for the financial year 2019-20. The revised estimate has pegged the target for collection of direct taxes for 2019-20 at Rs. 11.70 lakh crore. In addition, the outlook for indirect tax collection is also bleak in the first few months of the current financial year due to the countrywide lockdown.   
4. Environment Ministry gives nod for new Parliament project – The Centre’s proposal to construct a new Parliament building next to the existing heritage structure was approved by the Environment Ministry’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) last week. The EAC, however, said the approval was subject to the outcome of a legal challenge to the change of land-use of the plot. The Central Public Works Department’s (CPWD) proposal for “expansion and renovation of the existing Parliament building at Parliament Street” was among the projects considered by the EAC at its meetings on April 22-24. The proposal was earlier considered by the EAC at its meetings on February 25-26, where it asked the CPWD for additional information.
5. Biden denies sexual assault allegation by former aide – Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden denied on Friday that he sexually assaulted a former U.S. Senate aide in 1993, in his first public remarks on the subject after he faced intense pressure to personally address the accusation. A California woman named Tara Reade, who worked as a staff assistant in Mr. Biden’s Senate office from December 1992 to August 1993, has accused Mr. Biden in media interviews of pinning her against a wall in 1993, reaching under her skirt and pushing his fingers inside her.
6. Ghani, Abdullah reach ‘tentative deal’ – A bitter feud between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah appeared closer to resolution on Friday after Mr. Abdullah said the two men had moved forward in talks. “We have made progress in negotiations & reached tentative agreement on a range of principles. Work on details is underway to finalize the agreement,” Mr. Abdullah said on Twitter. The dispute has proved a huge distraction for Afghanistan at a terrible time, with the coronavirus crisis worsening daily and the Taliban stepping up attacks despite a deal they signed with the U.S. in February.
7. Airlines owe Rs. 3,700 cr. refunds – Indian carriers owe Rs. 3,700 crore in refunds to passengers and repaying such a large amount — if the Supreme Court takes a decision favouring air travellers — will be among the first major acid tests for airlines, according to aviation consultancy CAPA. CAPA estimates that airlines owe nearly $500 million, which translates into Rs. 3,787 crore as per the current exchange rate, in refunds. This includes $300 million (Rs. 2,200 crore) for domestic bookings and over $200 (Rs. 1,500 crore) for international travel.
8. COVID-19 – Side Effects – There will be 11,000 fewer deaths in European countries under coronavirus lockdown due to a sharp drop in fossil fuel pollution in April, according to research released. Measures to halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have slowed the region’s economies to a crawl, with coal-generated power falling by nearly 40%, and oil consumption by a third.
9. Anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg dies – South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg has died at his home near Cape Town, aged 87. Mr. Goldberg was a prominent member of the now-ruling African National Congress and stood trial alongside Nelson Mandela. He spent 22 years in prison for his involvement with the ANC’s fight against apartheid, the racist system of oppression imposed by the white minority government. When his fellow accused were sent to Robben Island, as a white prisoner Mr. Goldberg was separated from them and imprisoned in the capital, Pretoria.
10. Germany extends ban on Hezbollah – German police raided five sites linked to the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, as authorities announced that they were banning activities by its political wing in Germany. The raids, intended to prevent evidence about possible front organisations being destroyed, took place at mosques and community centres in Berlin, Bremen, Muenster, Recklinghausen and Dortmund.

 

 

SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. CONSTITUTION AND LAW (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

1.1 Election of President of India and question of UT of J&K to be a part of its electoral college 

 

• In a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query “If the UT of J&K will be part of the Electoral College for the election of the President of India”, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked to refer to Article 54 of the Constitution of India.
• What is Article 54? – Under Article 54, the President is elected by an Electoral College, which consists of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all the States and also of NCT of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Secret ballot is used in voting. The President’s tenure is for five years and he is eligible for immediate re- election and can serve any number of terms.
• In the proportional representation system, each voter will have only one vote but a voter can indicate his preference for as many contesting candidates as he likes in order of his/her preference or choice.
• Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission.
• What is the matter then? - Article 54 specifically mentions NCT of Delhi and Puducherry as eligible to be part of the Electoral College. There is no word about the newly-formed UT of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). Inclusion of new members in the Electoral College in Article 54 would require a Constitutional Amendment to be carried out through two-thirds majority in Parliament and ratification by over 50% of the States. Delhi and Puducherry were included as Electoral College members under Article 54 through the 70th Constitution Amendment Act of 1992.
• Alternate way - According to some experts, UT of J&K would be able to participate in the President’s elections even without any Constitutional amendment. According to Section 13 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, the provisions contained in article 239A, which are applicable to “Union territory of Puducherry”, shall also apply to the “Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir”.

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2. ECONOMY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper

 

2.1 COVID-19: Minor forest produce scheme 

• Government raises MSP (Minimum Support Price) for MFP (Minor Forest Produce) of 50  items to benefit livelihoods of tribal gatherers in view of circumstances arising out of Covid 19.
• The Centre is planning to increase the MSP by 16-30%. 
• The list of products will include 20 new items such as cardamom, turmeric and ginger, ban tulsi, ban jeera and raw bamboo brooms. 
• Forest products collected by tribals in northeastern states will also be included.
• The scheme, which was launched by the Congress-led UPA government in 2013-14, involves fixing MSP for identified MFPs collected by tribals in remote areas. 
• These tribals then sell the MFPs in village marketplaces. 
• If the market prices fall below MSP, the state government agencies move in to procure the produce. 
• The decision to increase the MSP and include more items in the list comes at a time when the Centre is concerned that the tribals would not have adequate money for basic essentials.
• The village marketplaces have been closed by state governments to avoid overcrowding. 
• Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), the nodal agency for the scheme, recommended the increase to ensure more disposable income for tribals. 
• A decision was taken at a high-level meeting attended by 26 states through video conferencing on Thursday.
• The MSP was last increased in January 2019.
• This is the second time in two years when so many products have been brought under the ambit of MSP.
• The ministry had doubled the products from 24 to 50 in 2018. With the new additions, 70 MFPs would now be under MSP scheme. 

2.1 Nitin Gadkari launches portal ((http://ideas.msme.gov.in/)) for uploading ideas and innovations regarding MSMEs
 

 

2.3 Ministry of Shipping launches new website-(shipmin.gov.in)

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3. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper)

 

3.1 Black rice Chak-Hao of Manipur gets GI (Geographical Indications) tag

• Chak-Hao, scented glutinous rice popularly known as Black Rice which is cultivated in Manipur since centuries and popular to people apart from the State has got GI (Geographical Indications) registration after almost a yearlong battle for registration competing with other States of India.
• The application for Chakhao was filed by the Consortium of Producers of Chakhao (Black Rice), Manipur and was facilitated by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited.
• GI status is an indication that identifies goods as produced from a particular area, which has special quality or reputation attributable to its geographical origin and GI branded goods possess a recall value amongst consumers. Also GIs are covered as an element of IPRs under Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property.
• Geographical Indications Registry of Ministry of Commerce and Industries has announced in its website that the product, Chak-Hao of Manipur is registered under GI certificate number 364 which application was filled by North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC). However, the whole documentation processed was done by Manipur State Agriculture Department in collaboration with other agencies including Manipur Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium.
• It may be mentioned that Chak-Hao is very popular not only in Manipur but also other parts of the Country.  
• Chakhao has also been used by traditional medical practitioners as part of traditional medicine. It is sold at Rs 100-120 a kilogram on an average in the Imphal market.
• Nowadays, varieties of its products in different forms are marketed inside and outside Manipur by entrepreneurs.
• In March 2015, Kachai Lemon(Citrus jambheri Lush), a unique lemon variety which contains 45-51 mg/100 ml ascorbic acid - the highest so far available in the realm of citrus - has been accorded GI registration tag. The lemon grows at Kachai village in Manipur’s Ukhrul’s district. Other lemon varieties have only 45-51 ascorbic acid mg/100 ml of juice.

 

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4. FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

 

4.1 Not Available Today
 

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5. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES (Prelims, GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3)

5.1 Kisan Sabha App and Shramik Trains

•  KISAN SABHA APP – 

 

1. Kisan Sabha App launched to connect farmers to supply chain and freight transportation management system.
2. Launched by DG, ICAR and Secretary DARE, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra.
3. Developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi.
4. Aim is to provide economical and timely logistics support to the farmers and increase their profit margins by minimizing interference of middlemen and directly connecting with the institutional buyers.

• SHRAMIK TRAINS –

 

1. Railways to run Shramik Special Trains to move persons including migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students stranded at different places due to lockdown.
2. First such train carried 1,200 passengers from Hyderabad to Jharkhand on May 1.
3. These special trains will be run from point to point on the request of both the concerned states.
4. The passengers have to be screened by the sending states and only those found asymptomatic would be allowed to travel.

 

6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

 

6.1 Weekly Roundup - Sports

• Badminton World Federation (BWF) names P. V. Sindhu as an ambassador for its ‘i am badminton’ campaign - India’s P. V. Sindhu was on April 22, 2020 unveiled as one of the ambassadors for Badminton World Federation (BWF)’s ‘i am badminton’ awareness campaign. The campaign provides a platform for players to express their love and respect for badminton by advocating and committing to clean and honest play.
• Indian Premier League suspended indefinitely by BCCI.
• BCCI creates ‘Team Mask Force’ video to promote wearing masks in public places.
• Veteran sports journalist Samir Goswami dies aged 65 in Kolkata.

 

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7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

 

7.1 National Food Security Act

• Five more States/UTs (Bihar, UP, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Daman & Diu) join ‘One Nation-One Ration Card’ system.
• Now 17 States/UTs are under this system.
• This system enables beneficiaries to obtain foodgrains under NFSA (National Food Security Act) from any Fair Price Shop in the country using the same ration card.
• The National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act) is an Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India's 1.2 billion people.
• It was signed into law on 12 September 2013, retroactive to 5 July 2013.
• The National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA 2013) converts into legal entitlements for existing food security programmes of the Government of India.  
• It includes the Midday Meal Scheme, Integrated Child Development Services scheme and the Public Distribution System. 
• Further, the NFSA 2013 recognizes maternity entitlements.
• The Midday Meal Scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme are universal in nature whereas the PDS will reach about two-thirds of the population (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas).    

7.2 Foundation day of Gujarat and Maharashtra was celebrated on May 1, 2020. The two states were formed after the enactment of the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960.

 

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8. SOCIAL ISSUES (Prelims, GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2)

 

8.1 Economists call for urban jobs scheme

• A new Urban Employment Guarantee Act is needed to complement the existing rural jobs scheme during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
• The group asked, MGNREGA funding to be increased to at least Rs. 1 lakh crore for the next three months, noting that the scheme already has the infrastructure in place to respond to the unprecedented unemployment crisis.
• The group has also recommended relaxation of the 100 days of work per household limit, suggesting that all individuals who wish to work under the scheme be given employment for as many days as needed, up to the full year.
• Given that a large number of migrants returning from cities to villages as a result of the lockdown would desperately need work but may not have MGNREGA job cards, the group suggested that anyone wanting work should be given a job, with card registration made available on site.
• Signatories to the letter include economists Jean Dreze, Jayati Ghosh and Reetika Khera, activists Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and Annie Raja of the National Federation of Indian Women, as well as Swaraj Party president Yogendra Yadav.
• The economists also asked for full minimum wages in cash, as well as dry rations, to be paid to workers within seven days rather than the current 15-day limit, so that the scheme can meet the needs of people.  
• People prevented from working during the pandemic due to medical advisories including those aged over 50, disabled and sick, and pregnant women, should be paid full wages for the duration of the restrictions, the group recommended. 
• The signatories also urged that rather than stopping MGNREGA work throughout districts declared to be in the red zone, decisions should instead be taken block-wise.
• With regard to an urban jobs programme, the letter’s signatories noted that a significant number of migrants were returning to small towns and had lost their livelihoods.

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9. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3)
 

9.1 COVID-19: Innovations and Inventions

• DRDO’s Defence Institute of Advanced Technology DIAT), Pune develops microwave steriliser ‘ATULYA’ to disintegrate COVID-19
• National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) launches ‘YASH: Year of Awareness on Science & Health’ programme on health and risk communication with focus on COVID-19
• S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata develops nanomedicine to alter oxidative stress for better immune power to treat viral infections including COVID-19
• Researchers at Dehradun-based WIHG (Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology) reveal 35,000-year history of river erosion in Ladakh Himalayas.

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10. FACTS, CHARTS, RANKINGS and EDITORIALS (Prelims + GS Mains)

 

10.1 Reports/ Rankings – International Labour Organisation Report on COVID-19  

• Nearly half of global workforce at risk of losing livelihoods due to COVID: ILO

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Bijay Mishra died at the age of 83 in Bhubaneswar on April 26, 2020. He was a winner of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
• Abdelouahab Aissaoui won the $50,000 International Prize for Arabic Fiction in April 2020.
• The G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual Meeting was held on April 10, 2020.
• DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh co-developed face protection mask for health care professionals handling COVID-19 patients.
• International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims was observed by the UN on March 24, 2020.

10.3 Today's best editorials to read

• We offer you 7 excellent editorials from across 10 newspapers we have scanned. 

Source & Credit: PTeducation.com

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