Current Affairs Daily Digest – March 28 2020
1. World Entered Recession:IMF
International Monetary Fund, IMF, has said that the world is in the face of a devastating impact due to the Corona virus pandemic and has clearly entered a recession. However, it projected a recovery next year.
Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that IMF has reassessed the prospects for growth for 2020 and 2021. It said that the current recession is as bad or worse than in 2009. She said that the recovery in 2021 will only be possible if the international community succeeds in containing the virus everywhere and prevent liquidity problems from becoming a solvency issue.
2. India, Japan signed major rail projects for public, freight transport
Japanese government funding agency JICA signed Rs.15,295 crore agreement with the Indian government for three mega rail infrastructure projects.
The agreement aims to cope up with the increase in freight transport demand in India by constructing new dedicated freight railway system between Delhi and Mumbai. Agreement
3. Control Room set up in Bihar Bhawan to assist Migrant Labourers
Government has set up a control room in Bihar Bhawan, New Delhi. The information was passed by the Resident Commissioner of Bihar, Vipin Kumar. The control room will facilitate and provide holistic assistance to the migrant labourers of Bihar. It will work 24X7. It will provide all possible support and assistance to the people. The helpline numbers to reach the control room are 011-23792009 and 011-23014326.
4. Sikkim govt announced an economic package to provide immediate relief to EWS
Sikkim Chief Minister P S Tamang announced an economic package to provide immediate relief to economically weaker sections (EWS) of society following a meeting of the State Task Force for COVID-19 prevention in Gangtok on 27 March.
5. Centre approved more than Rs.5 crore to 8 states
Government of India approved an additional Rs.5,751.27 crore as an aid to 8 states that were hit by floods, landslides, cyclone ‘Bulbul’ and drought in 2019. The approval was decided by a high-level committee under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The eight states which will be given the financial assistance are Bihar, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.
6. Indian Army launched Operation Namaste
Indian Army has launched an initiative christened ‘Operation Namaste’ to extend all possible assistance to the government in containing the spread of coronavirus. The operation was launched by Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on 27 March.
Under the operation, the Indian Army has issued several directives to all its bases to insulate the force from the coronavirus. The army has set up a command-wise helpline as part of measures to deal with any possible eventualities arising out of the pandemic. The army has set up 28 service hospitals to deal with coronavirus cases including civilian patients.
7. Project Arunank running in full swing in China border despite of COVID-19
The Border Road Organization (BRO) is working in full swing to completely replace the Daporijo bridge. The bridge os the only line of communication to 451 villages located in the China border. Also, the BRO is engaged in snow clearance of Manali-Leh axis to provide relief to Ladakh and Lahaul valley.
8. DRDO develops N99 masks, ventilators and hand sanitizers to help fight against COVID-19
The DRDO (Defence Research Development Organization) has been tracking the spread of the COVID-19 virus since it began to spread in China. Now, the organization has developed four items to help India in its “War against Corona”.
9. Mutation and Pangolins main source of COVID-19
According to a research published in the journal “Pathogen”, virus jumped to humans from Pangolins. Also, mutation was the main reason for the virus to target human cells so easily and hence leads to fast spread of the virus.
10. What are DMF Funds that are to be used by the states to combat COVID-19?
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman recently instructed the state governments to use DMF (District Mineral Foundation) funds to fight against COVID-19. This is being done to supplement medical facilities that will help fight against Corona Virus.
DMF Funds –
The District Mineral Foundation is a non-profit body. It was set up in those districts that were affected by mining works. The Foundation works towards the benefit and interest of the persons affected due to the mining activity. The Funds are allocated according to the rules of MMDR act.
11. India, first in the world to start antibody tests for Corona Virus
India is all set to begin antibody tests to confirm if a person was previously infected with the virus. This will help understand the epidemiology of Covid – 19.
The test determines if the person had viral infections based on the presence of antibodies in their blood. The antibody test is not a confirmatory test. However, it is a test for the purpose of surveillance. It helps to generate data about number of people that got exposed to the virus.
12. Mo Jeeban Pogramme
The “Mo Jeeban Programme” was launched by the Odisha Government to contain the spread of COVID-19. The programme was launched by the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
‘Mo Jeeban’ means ‘My Life’. The State Government through the programme appeals to the people to stay indoors. The programme urges the working population to take an oath in name of their children and parents to cooperate and support by not stepping outside. It also raises awareness of washing hands at least for 20 seconds.
