DAILY DIGEST for 30-04-2020 - USEFUL FOR ALL COMPETITIVE EXAMS || PT's IAS Acedamy

PART 1 - Daily Current Affairs + MCQ quiz to solve

 

SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. India reports 70 deaths, highest in a single day – India reported 70 COVID-19 deaths — the highest in a single day — in the past 24 hours. The total death toll now reached 1,008 and propped India among 17 countries that had over 1,000 deaths. The total confirmed active cases were 22,982 and 7,796 had recovered, the Health Ministry website said in its evening update. At a conference, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that in the last three days, India’s doubling rate was 11.3 days. Although global mortality rate was around 7%, India’s was around 3%, and around 86% of those who died had a co-morbidity. Data from the State Health Departments put the nationwide death toll at 1,067 and the total number of positive cases at 32,741, with 23,334 active ones.
2. Only 30 lakh found NREGA work in April – Although the Centre gave explicit instructions to reopen its flagship rural jobs scheme from April 20, only 30 lakh people were provided work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in April, about 17% of the usual, government data show. In mid-April, only 1% of the usual number of workers had found employment. The figures for this April are the lowest in five years, and show an 82% drop from the previous year’s figure of 1.7 crore workers. Some States had zero workers as on April 29, showing they had not restarted their work sites at all.
3. NEET applies to minority colleges: SC – The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is mandatory for admission to medical colleges run by religious and linguistic minority communities, the Supreme Court held. A three-judge Bench led by Justice Arun Mishra held that admissions solely through NEET for graduate and postgraduate medical/dental courses does not violate any fundamental and religious rights of minorities. NEET would apply for both aided and unaided medical colleges run by minorities. The court dismissed arguments by the managements of several minority-run medical institutions, including the Christian Medical College Vellore Association, that bringing them uniformly under the ambit of NEET would be a violation of their fundamental right to “occupation, trade and business”.
4. India remains on U.S. Priority Watch List – India continues to be on the ‘Priority Watch List’ of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for lack of adequate intellectual property (IP) rights protection and enforcement, the USTR said in its Annual Special 301 Report. India remained one of the most challenging economies for IP enforcement and protection, the report said. Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Venezuela are also on the Priority Watch List. India made “meaningful progress” to enhance IP protection and enforcement in some areas over the past year, it did not resolve recent and long-standing challenges, and created new ones, the report said.
5. India’s crossover star Irrfan Khan passes away – One of Indian cinema’s leading actors and its most recognised face internationally, Irrfan Khan passed away in Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. He was admitted for a colon infection and died because of resultant complications. Mr. Khan is survived by his wife, screenwriter Sutapa Sikdar and two sons, Babil and Ayan. His last rites took place at the Versova Kabrastan in Mumbai in the presence of his family, close relatives and friends, including filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj, Tigmanshu Dhulia and Abhinay Deo Born in Jaipur, Mr. Khan started his illustrious innings in acting with a stint at New Delhi’s National School of Drama. While Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay (1988) is credited as his debut, he had to struggle long and hard to make space for himself in the world of films. He acted in a lot of television shows through the 1980s and the 1990s, including the popular Banegi Apni Baat.
6. China to hold legislative session in May  – Countries tried to balance how far to ease coronavirus lockdowns, with Germany enforcing mandatory masks in shops, as the crushing global economic cost of the pandemic became clearer. Excitement over moves towards normality is being tempered by fear of fresh outbreaks of a disease that has already killed 2,14,000 people worldwide and infected more than three million. China said its legislature would hold its annual session in May after being delayed by the coronavirus, signalling the communist leadership’s growing confidence in taming the disease that emerged in the country late last year.
7. Banks borrow Rs. 2,000 crore from RBI for mutual funds – Commercial banks have borrowed Rs. 2,000 crore from the liquidity window that was offered by the Reserve Bank of India for mutual funds (MFs), so far, latest data released by the central bank showed. The RBI had announced a special window of Rs. 50,000 crore for mutual funds in view of the redemption pressure that the fund houses are facing. Funds availed under this facility will be used by banks exclusively for meeting the liquidity requirements of MFs, RBI had said. The scheme was made available from April 27, 2020 till May 11, 2020 or up to utilisation of the allocated amount, whichever is earlier.
8. Task Force on National Infrastructure Pipeline presents its Final Report to Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman – The Task Force on National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) submitted its Final Report on NIP for FY 2019-25 to the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. The Summary Report of the Task Force on National Infrastructure Pipeline for 2019-2025 has already been released by the Finance Minister on December 31st, 2019. NIP is a first-of-its-kind, whole-of-government exercise to provide world-class infrastructure across the country, and improve the quality of life for all citizens. It aims to improve project preparation, attract investments (both domestic and foreign) into infrastructure, and will be crucial for target of becoming a $5 trillion economy by FY 2025.
9. Amazon India sets up ‘Partner Support Fund for small and medium businesses in logistics’ - Small and Medium Businesses (SMB) across India have been financially impacted due to the nationwide lockdown in these unprecedented times. In an effort to enable the SMBs in logistics that are heavily reliant on the company, Amazon India has introduced a Partner Support Fund.
10. TCS iON offers free online self-certification course -- Corona Warriors -- for frontline health workers to deal with COVID-19 patients.

 

 

SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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

1.1 Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) brought under Jal Shakti Ministry 

 

• The CWMA was earlier under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
• Move will have no impact on the independent nature of the functioning of the authority.
• CWMA was set up in 2018 by the Centre to address the dispute over sharing of river water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.
• River Cauvery – Cauvery is an Indian river flowing through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Kaveri river rises at Talakaveri on the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Kodagu district of the state of Karnataka, at an elevation of 1341m above mean sea level and flows for about 800 km before its outfall into the Bay of Bengal. It is the third largest river – after Godavari and Krishna – in South India and the largest in Tamil Nadu which, on its course, bisects the state into North and South. The Kaveri is sacred river to the people of South India and is worshipped as the goddess Kaveriamma. The Kaveri is also one of the seven holy rivers of India.

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

 

2.1 Economic growth forecast of India by different agencies

• India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) revises its 2020-21 economic growth forecast to 1.9% from 3.6% made on March 30.
• Moody’s Investors Service cuts India growth forecast for calendar year 2020 to 0.2% from 2.5% projected in March; 2021 growth forecast at 6.2%.
• CRISIL revises its 2020-21 economic growth forecast to 1.8% from 3.5% made in late March.

2.2 Asian Development Bank announcements for Indian Economy

• Asian Development Bank approves US $ 1.5 billion loan to India to help fund its response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
• Asian Development Bank approves US$  346 million loan for enabling reliable power connection in rural areas of Maharashtra.

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

 

3.1 The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) of European Union (EU) announced that a hole in the Arctic ozone layer, believed to be the biggest reported over the Arctic, has closed.

• The ozone hole’s closing was because of a phenomenon called the polar vortex.
• CAMS is one of six services that form Copernicus, the Earth observation programme of EU. It provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to air pollution and health, solar energy, greenhouse gases and climate forcing, everywhere in the world.
• Ozone Hole: It refers to a region in the stratosphere where the concentration of ozone becomes extremely low in certain months. Ozone (chemically, a molecule of three oxygen atoms) is found mainly in the upper atmosphere, an area called the stratosphere, between 10 and 50 km from the earth’s surface. Ozone absorbs the harmful UltraViolet (UV) radiations from the sun eliminating a big threat to life forms on earth. UV rays can cause skin cancer and other diseases and deformities in plants and animals.
• The Ozone layer hole over arctic region - The hole in the North Pole's ozone layer was first detected in Feb, 2020 had since reached a maximum extension of around 1 million sq km. As per a European Space Agency report, cold temperatures (below -80°C), sunlight, wind fields and substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were responsible for the degradation of the Arctic ozone layer.
• Closing of the hole and Ozone recovery - Scientists believe that the closing of the hole is because of the same polar vortex and not because of the lower pollution levels during the Covid-19 lockdown.
• Ozone holes over Antarctica - The ozone holes most commonly refer to the depletions over Antarctica, forming each year in the months of September, October and November, due to a set of special meteorological and chemical conditions that arise at the South Pole, and can reach sizes of around 20 to 25 million sq km.
• Formation and recovery - Polar vortex leads to the most depletion of stratospheric ozone. When temperatures drop below -78°C (-109°F), thin clouds form ice, nitric acid, and sulphuric acid mixtures. Chemical reactions on the surfaces of ice crystals in the clouds release active forms of CFCs and ozone depletion begins. In spring, temperatures begin to rise, the ice evaporates, and the ozone layer starts to recover.
• Polar vortex - A polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air that surrounds both of Earth's poles. Polar vortexes always exist, but they typically weaken during the summer and strengthen in the winter. The polar vortex in the Arctic is typically weaker due to the presence of nearby land as well as mountain ranges that disturb the weather more so than its counterpart to the south.

 

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

 

4.1 External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar attends BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting on COVID-19 through video conferencing

 

• This meeting was convened by Russia.
• BRICS nations have set up a "special loan instrument" of $15 billion fund for member nations to revive the economy amid Covid-19 pandemic.
• BRICS nations exchanged views on possible joint measures to be taken by the member states to counter Covid-19 and overcome the financial, trade, economic and social consequences of the pandemic.
• India showcased its pharmaceutical support to around 85 countries to deal with the viral infection. 
• India also highlighted the need for reforms in the multilateral bodies like the United Nations.
• The UN Security Council members are currently discussing draft resolutions on the Covid-19 pandemic.
• BRICS – Group of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In 2001 the British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC.  First meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers formalised in 2006. South Africa joined it in Dec 2010. It comprises 42% of the world's population, has 23% of the global GDP and around 17% of the world trade. The chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
• During the Sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014) the leaders signed the Agreement establishing the New Development Bank (NDB). They also signed the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement.

4.2 USCIRF (US Commission for International Religious Freedom) named India among ‘countries of particular concern’ over condition of religious minorities. 

 

4.3 IFS Officer T. S. Tirumurti appointed as India’s next Permanent Representative to the UN.

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

5.1 Chhattisgarh tops the list of states in providing employment to over 18 lakh unskilled labourers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

 

6. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

 

6.1 Weekly Roundup – Corporate

• NTPC’s arm NVVN invites bids for Hydrogen Fuel Cell based buses and cars - NTPC’s NVVN (NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam) has invited Global Expression of Interest (EoI) to provide 10 Hydrogen Fuel Cell (FC) based electric buses and an equal number of Hydrogen Fuel Cell based electric cars in Leh and Delhi. 
• Bioplus Healthcare launches hand sanitiser under SterloMax brand - Bioplus Healthcare on April 24, 2020 said it has launched hand sanitiser under its SterloMax brand to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Jyothy Lab launches hand sanitizer under brand Margo - FMCG firm Jyothy Labs Limited on April 21, 2020 announced its foray into the hand sanitizer space under its personal care brand Margo. According to the company, Margo hand sanitizers would be infused with the traditional neem extracts. Jyothy Labs owns the brand Margo following the acquisition of controlling stake in Henkel India.
• Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund shuts down six debt schemes - Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund on April 23, 2020 shut down six debt schemes that had assets under management of over Rs 25,000 crore. The asset manager, which has been operating in India for 25 years, shut down Franklin India Low Duration Fund, Franklin India Dynamic Accrual Fund, Franklin India Credit Risk Fund, Franklin India Short Term Income Plan, Franklin India Ultra Short Bond Fund and Franklin India Income Opportunities Fund.
• Mercedes-Benz India to offer its full-range of vehicles for online sales - Luxury car-maker Mercedes-Benz India is on track to offer its full-range of vehicles from a C-Class sedan to a sports car that costs over a crore of rupees, online starting from April 24, 2020. This year, the company has already seen its online traffic increase ten times officials add and while that does not always translate into sales, what the German company calls its “Touch-Free” experience, continues to build on staying plugged in with its consumer base.
• Amazon launches programme to enable kirana shops, offline retailers sell online - E-commerce giant Amazon India on April 23, 2020 launched ‘Local Shops on Amazon’ programme that will help local shopkeepers and kirana store owners to sell online.
• Facebook picks up 9.99% stake in RIL’s Jio Platforms for Rs 43,574 crore - Facebook on April 22, 2020 announced an investment of USD 5.7 billion to buy 9.99 per cent stake in Jio Platforms which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) that houses digital services of the group.
• COVID-19: Reliance Foundation’s ‘Mission Anna Seva’ to provide 3 crore meals - Reliance Foundation’s ‘Mission Anna Seva’ that aims to provide over 3 crore meals to marginalised communities and frontline workers facing hardships during the lockdown, is the largest free meal programme by any corporate foundation globally, its chairperson Nita Ambani said.
• PM Modi continues to be the most popular world leader on Facebook: BCW - With around 45 million likes on his personal page, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to be the most popular world leader on Facebook, according to the latest 2020 “World Leaders on Facebook” rankings by global communications agency BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe). US President Donald Trump is the second most popular world leader on Facebook, with around 27 million likes and Jordan’s Queen Rania is in third position with 16.8 million likes.
• Trump dominates the rankings for world leaders with most interactions on Facebook - US President Donald Trump dominates the rankings for world leaders with most interactions with 309 million comments, likes and shares on his Facebook page over the past 12 months. This was revealed in the latest 2020 “World Leaders on Facebook” rankings by global communications agency BCW (Burson Cohn & Wolfe). Trump is ahead of Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro with 205 million interactions. India’s PM Modi is in third place with a total of 84 million interactions.

 

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7. POLITY (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

 

7.1 Announcement by Union Grant Commission

• UGC released guidelines for examinations and academic calendar for universities in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. 
• New academic session for freshers may begin in universities from September and for already enrolled students in August.
• Exams for final semester students be conducted in July.

7.2 Freedom fighter Hema Bharali dies in Guwahati aged 101

 

 

•  She won Padma Shri in 2005 and National Communal Harmony Award in 2006.
• She was known for her contributions for the empowerment of women and efforts towards the upliftment of the socially and financially challenged sections of the society.
• She was reported to have been active during the relief operations in the wake of the earthquake in North Lakhimpur of Assam state in 1950 and in the development activities after the Sino-Indian War of 1962. 

 

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

 

8.1 World Day for Safety and Health at Work observed by the UN on April 28 
 

 

• It  aims at promoting the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases at the workplace.
• The earlier theme for the world day 2020 was violence and harassment in the world of work but amid the current Covid-19 crisis, it becomes more important for everyone to ensure that their employees do not face any risk of the global pandemic.  
• There is a need to recognize the challenge faced by the governments, employers, workers and whole societies in current times.
• The World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2020 will primarily focus on addressing the outbreak of infectious diseases at work, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic.
• It was first observed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2003.

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

9.1 Low-cost robotic device for healthcare workers

• CSIR - (Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute) CMERI in Durgapur (West Bengal) develops low-cost robotic device Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device (HCARD) for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 affected while maintaining social distancing.

9.2 IIT Delhi becomes first academic institute to get ICMR approval for a real-time diagnostic test for COVID-19

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

 

10.1 Reports/ Rankings – Not Available Today

10.2 Daily dose of  FIVE Facts -

• Usha Ganguly passed away in Kolkata at the age of 75 on April 23, 2020. She was a winner of Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
• According to the Union Health Ministry on April 18, 2020, the mortality rate for COVID-19 cases in India is around 3.3%.
• Rating agency CRISIL to cut its growth estimate for the Indian economy for 2020-21 to 3.5% in March 2020.
• Masks and hand sanitisers were declared as essential commodities by the Centre on March 13, 2020 under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Feb 2020 launched 10 thousand Farmers Producer Organisations (FPO). Each FPO will get Rs. 15 lakhs from the Centre.

10.3 Today's best editorials to read

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

CLICK HERE TO OPEN AND READ!

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