Current and Corporate Affairs : 2 Augest 2020
COVID-19
- 2nd round of COVID-19 Sero-prevalence study begins in Delhi: –The sero-prevalence study began today in Delhi. This second round survey is being conducted in the different areas of the city in the next five days. The first phase of the study was conducted from 27th of June to 10th of July in all the 11 districts of Delhi. During the survey, a total of 21 thousand 387 blood samples were collected from selected individuals and were tested for ImmunoglobinG antibodies using the ELISA testing kits. The study showed that only 22.86 per cent of the people are affected due to Corona virus and 77 per cent population is still vulnerable. The study also indicated that a large number of infected persons remain asymptomatic. The tests have been done to identify the presence of antibodies in the general population. It provided information about past COVID-19 infection in individuals who tested positive.
- New guidelines for opening up more activities in areas outside Containment Zones come into force today: –The new guidelines for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones will come into effect from today. The process of phased re opening of activities has been extended further in Unlock 3. The new guidelines issued by the Home Ministry on Wednesday are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments. Restrictions on movement of individuals during night have been removed. Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from 5th of August. Independence Day functions will be allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols. Schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till 31st August.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Ministry of Road Transport and Highways invites public suggestions on enforcing BIS certification for two-wheeler helmets: – The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has invited the suggestions from the public on the draft notification for bringing protective helmets for two-wheeler riders under compulsory Bureau of Indian Standard, BIS, certification. The move will enable the manufacturing of BIS certified helmets only in the country. It will also improve the quality of helmets and ensure the safety of the rider. The suggestions or comments can be sent to the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways within thirty days from he date of notification.
- Dr Harsh Vardhan launches ‘Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan 2020-21: – Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today launched ‘Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, 2020- This initiative is a national programme for popularizing science among school students of Class 6th to 11th. It was designed to identify the bright minds with a scientific aptitude among the student community. While launching the Vidhyarthi Vigyan Manthan, 2020-21, the Minister said, this is a platform to indentify the talent in the field of science and to promote the scientfic acumen among the students. He said, students will help in creating the New India and this initiative will play leading role in it.
- Khadi and Village Industries Commission signs MoU to supply mustard oil to Indo Tibetan Border Police: – The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to supply mustard oil to ITBP. This development is seen as another major step towards making India Atmanirbhar. KVIC said, the development comes in wake of the instructions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the paramilitary forces to encourage local products in a bid to support the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Mr. Shah had also made it mandatory to sell only Swadeshi products through the CAPF canteens across India.
- Govt extends ban on international flights till August 31: – The government has extended the ban on international flights till 31st of August amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, this restriction will not be applicable for international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA. India had first suspended international flights on March 22, just before the national lockdown was announced. As part of allowing gradual movement of passenger traffic amid the pandemic situation, ‘Transport Bubble’ agreements have been signed with the US, France, and Germany. Such bilateral agreements allow operation of flights between the two countries subject to a set of regulations. International flight services to and from India remain suspended since March 23 due to the pandemic.
- PM Modi pays tribute to freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak on his 100th death anniversary: –Prime Minister Narendra Modi today remembered Lokmanya Tilak on his 100th Punya Tithi. In a tweet, Mr Modi said Lokmanya Tilak’s intellect, courage, sense of justice and idea of Swaraj continue to inspire everyone.
STATE NEWS
- WHO appreciates Covid-19 management model of Ahmedabad city: – The Covid-19 management model of Ahmedabad city was appreciated by the World Health Organization. Additional chief secretary Rajiv Kumar Gupta who is appointed to handle Covid-19 management of Ahmedabad said that WHO scientist called the model worth emulating for other cities in the world. Mr Gupta said Dr Swaminathan praised various initiatives taken by Ahmedabad such as dhanvantari rath, 104 helpline, corona ghar seva and said they can be adopted by other cities in the world. Similarly, the public private partnership in providing Covid treatment was also called worth emulating.
- Gujarat based dairy starts innovative project to produce CNG from animal dung: – Gujarat based and Asia’s largest Banas dairy had come up with an innovative project to produce CNG from animal dung. AIR correspondent reports that the Chairman of Banas dairy Mr Shankar Chaudhary made official announcement of the project today. Mr Chaudhary claimed this as country’s first such endeavour. Following the appeal by PM Narendra Modi on creating best from the waste, Banas dairy started country’s first CNG pump in which Gober gas is being produced , purified converted into CNG. The dairy is collecting over 40 tonnes of cow dung from the farmers of around 25 villages. A total of 800 kgs of CNG is expected to produced daily undervthe project. The sale of CNG will begin from the pump in coming week. Mr Chaudhary said that the aim of the project is to increase the farmers income and make them
self reliant.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- Over 120 countries celebrate World Breastfeeding Week; India plans online activities to sensitise citizens about its importance: – Over 120 countries around the world are celebrating the week-long World Breastfeeding Week, which commenced from today. In India, the Women and Child Development Ministry has planned to organise online activities to sensitise citizens about the importance of breastfeeding. The theme of World Breast-feeding Week this year is to support breastfeeding for a healthier planet and taking precautionary measures in light of the global pandemic. Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani has said that exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of child’s birth and continuing thereafter for at least 2 years is crucial to combat malnutrition.
- Bipartisan support in US grows for India against
Chinese aggression in Ladakh: – India has received a strong bipartisan support from members of the US Congress against the recent Chinese military aggression in Ladakh. In the last few weeks, dozens of lawmakers, across the aisle, both on the floor of the House of Representatives and the Senate and outside the Capitol have praised India for standing strong against the Chinese efforts to grab Indian territories. Addressing the US House of Representatives, Congressman Frank Pallone, one of the senior-most Democratic lawmakers, asked China to end its military aggression. Other lawmakers also condemned the recent Chinese aggression along the LAC in Ladakh region.
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
- GST collections stand at Rs 87,422 crore in July: – The gross GST revenue collected in the month of July this year is 87 thousand 422 crore rupees of which CGST is 16 thousand 147 crore, SGST is 21 thousand 418 crore and IGST is 42 thousand 592 crore rupees. It also includes 20 thousand 324 crore collected on import of goods and Cess is seven thousand 265 crore rupees.
- Yes Bank Scam: Special CBI court rejects bail pleas of Wadhawan brothers: -A special CBI court in Mumbai today rejected the bail pleas of DHFL promoter Kapil Wadhawan and his brother Dheeraj, accused in the Yes Bank scam. Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhawan, promoters of Dewan Housing Finance Ltd (DHFL) and RKW Developers respectively, were arrested in April by the CBI in connection with the scam. Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor is also an accused in the case. According to the CBI FIR, the scam started taking shape between April and June 2018, when Yes Bank invested Rs 3,700 crore in short-term debentures of the scam-hit DHFL. The CBI has claimed that in return, the Wadhawans allegedly “paid kickback of Rs 600 crore” to Kapoor and his family members in the form of loans to DoIT Urban Ventures (India) Pvt Ltd held by the latter’s wife and daughters.
OBITUARY
- Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh passes away:-
Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, who was admitted to a
hospital in Singapore, passed away today. He was ailing for the
past few months. He had earlier undergone a kidney transplant
surgery.
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Compiled By : CS Surbhi Saxena
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