Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 22 2020
1. RBI cuts repo rate to a record low by 40 bps
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cuts repo rate by 40 basis points (bps) to 4% from 4.4% on 22 May. The Central Bank also adjusted the reverse repo rate to 3.35% from 3.75%. The announcement was made by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.
2. Madhya Pradesh to launch Everybody will get employment scheme
Madhya Pradesh State Government is to launch Everybody will get employment scheme. The scheme will be inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan through video conferencing. Under this scheme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) job cards will be distributed to the labourers.
3. International Day for Biological Diversityis observed on 22 May
International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed on 22 May. The day to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. It calls people to re-examine human relationship to the natural world.
Theme:
The theme for 2020 International Day for Biological Diversity is “Our solutions are in nature”.
4. India-Bangladesh sign Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol
India and Bangladesh signed the second Addendum of the Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol in Bangladesh. Under the new protocol, the countries can ply on designated protocol route. Also, movement of shallow draft mechanized vessels have been allowed between Dhubri (India) and Chilmari (Bangladesh).
5. Agappe Chitra Magna launched by SCTIMST to detect COVID-19
The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology operating under Department of Science and Technology has launched magnetic nano particle based RNA extraction kit called “Agappe Chitra Magna”.
6. Blue Revolution: Cabinet approves Rs 20,050 crore scheme for fisheries sector
The Cabinet approved the Rs 20,050-crore Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable development of fisheries sector over next five years. The government also aims to double the income of fishers, fish farmers and fish workers by 2024 through the scheme.
7. Chhattisgarh to launch Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojana for farmers on May 21, former PM’s death anniversary
The Chhattisgarh government will launch a scheme to ensure “minimum income availability” to farmers of the state through direct bank transfer on the death anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi May 21.
Under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, based on registered area and area under cultivation during Kharif crop season 2019, Rs 10,000 per acre will be deposited in the bank accounts of farmers as agriculture assistance grant for sowing crops such as paddy, maize and sugarcane, officials said.
8. Amazon starts food delivery, picks Bengaluru for launch
Amazon is all set to launch its food-delivery business in India, throwing a challenge to homegrown players Swiggy and Zomato who are already reeling from coronavirus fallout. The ecommerce major will launch Amazon Food at select pin codes of Bengaluru.
9. Moeketsi Majoro sworn in as Lesotho’s new prime minister
Moeketsi Majoro has been sworn in as Lesotho’s prime minister following the resignation of his embattled predecessor, Thomas Thabane.
Thabane’s decision to step down amid mounting pressure over a case in which he and his current wife are suspected of involvement in the 2017 murder of his estranged wife. They both deny this.
