NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. SC ruling brings
Cooperative Banks under “SARFAESI Act”: The
Supreme Court of India ruling has brought the state and multi-state cooperative
banks under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and
Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002. The Judgement was
delivered by a 5-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra. The ruling aims to
remove the delays caused by going through the civil court or summary procedure
under the Cooperative Societies Act.
The Securitisation and Reconstruction of
Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (Sarfaesi) Act, 2002,
allow banks and financial institutions to auction properties (residential and
commercial) when borrowers fail to repay their loans. It enables banks to
reduce their non-performing assets by adopting measures for recovery or
reconstruction.
Note: The present
CJI is Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde.
2. TN forms panel
under ex-RBI Guv Rangarajan to improve fiscal position: The Tamil Nadu
government set up a high-level committee headed by former Reserve Bank of India
governor C Rangarajan to examine fiscal challenges facing the state owing to
the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest the way forward to improve its fiscal
position. The committee, which will also consist of Finance Secretary S
Krishnan as coordinator, will submit its report to the government within three
months. The committee, with 21 members, would assess the overall immediate and
medium term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different sectors of the state’s
economy including the impact of lockdown, additional costs and implications due
to social distancing and their precautionary measures.
3. Uttar Pradesh
Becomes First State to Provide Facility of Beds with Ventilators in Each
District of State: Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to install
ventilator-beds in all the government-run district hospitals in all 75
districts of the state. With this, the total strength of beds with ventilators
in the state has increased to 1,300. The number of laboratories testing
coronavirus samples has increased from 20 to 24 in the state. All these steps
have been taken by the state health department to provide higher level of care
to the patients of COVID-19.
4.
ICMR, Bharat Biotech tie up to develop indigenous COVID-19 vaccine: Indian Council of
Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech International Limited, Bengaluru
have partnered to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19. The vaccine
will be developed using the virus strain which has been isolated from COVD-19
patients at ICMR's National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. ICMR and Bharat
Biotech will seek fast-track approval to expedite vaccine development, subsequent
animal studies and clinical evaluation of the vaccine. ICMR has also shared one
of the 11 virus strains that it managed to culture with Bharat Biotech.
Note: Director-General of ICMR: Balram
Bhargava; Headquarters of ICMR: New Delhi.
5. Tiger population
in West Bengal’s Sunderbans rises to 96: The number of Royal Bengal Tigers in
West Bengal’s Sundarbans has risen to 96 according to the latest census. The
increase in the number by 8 is significant as it is the highest annual jump
reported. In 2017-18, the total count was 87. The Sundarbans comprises 100 of
islands constituting over 60% of country’s total mangrove forest area. It is
the 27th Ramsar Site in India and is now the largest protected wetland in the
country. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Launches
‘Mission Sagar’ to Help 5 island nations in Indian Ocean during COVID-19
crisis: The Government of India has launched Mission Sagar on 10 May 2020 as
part of it’s outreach initiative towards assisting five Island nations in the
Indian Ocean amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Under the mission, Indian
Naval Ship (INS) Kesari has been deployed, carrying on board two medical
assistance teams, essential Food Items and COVID related Medicines and Special
Ayurvedic Medicines to five Island countries in the Indian Ocean. The five
countries are Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros. The
mission is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security
and Growth for All in the Region) and is in line with India’s role as the first
responder in the region. It highlights the importance of India’s relations with
her neighbouring countries and further strengthens the existing bond. The
operation is in close coordination with Ministry of Defence, External Affairs,
and other agencies of Government.
2. WHO & UN’s
Postal Agency Release Commemorative Stamp on 40th Anniversary of Smallpox
Eradication: The World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Postal
Administration – the postal agency of UN, have released a commemorative postage
stamp to mark the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox on 9th May
2020. The stamp recognises the global solidarity in fighting smallpox and
honours millions of people working together to eradicate smallpox. It was on
this day, 40 years ago, in May 1980 that the 33rd World Health Assembly issued
its official declaration that the world and all peoples have won freedom from
smallpox. Smallpox is the only human disease to be eradicated so far.
Note: Headquarters
of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland; Director-general of WHO: Tedros Adhanom.
3. Mother’s day
2020: 10th May: Mother’s day is
celebrated on every second Sunday of month of May. In 2020, it was celebrated
on 10th May. The day is widely known to salute the motherhood, to extend the
influence of mothers within the society, to extend the maternal bonds to
children, etc. Mother, being a protector throughout her life loves her children
unconditionally and plays a special role of a teacher, best friend and one’s
who besides us under all circumstances.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Narinder Batra’s
term as President of FIH extended: The tenure of Narinder Batra as the
President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has been extended till
FIH’s Congress meeting that is scheduled for May 2021. The Executive Board of
the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has also decided to postpone the 47th
FIH Congress, initially planned on 28 October-1 November 2020 in New Delhi, to
May 2021.
Note: FIH
Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland; FIH founded: 7 January 1924; CEO of FIH:
Thierry Weil.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SBI General
Insurance Launches Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy: The State Bank of
India (SBI) General Insurance has come up with a standard health insurance
policy named ‘Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy SBI General Insurance’
to cover the hospitalisation treatment cost of COVID-19. The policy will
provide hospitalisation cover anywhere in India with sums insured ranging from
Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs. The product Arogya Sanjeevani has been designed at
the instance of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
with standard coverage and affordable premiums. It aims at making affordable
health care more accessible in times of crises like these.
Note: Chairman of
State Bank of India: Rajnish Kumar; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 July 1955.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. Mahindra &
Mahindra launches digital sales platform ‘Own-Online’: Mahindra & Mahindra
Ltd has announced the launch of an online vehicle ownership platform named
“Own-Online’. The portal will offer an end-to-end sales experience for
prospective buyers. It will also help customers to finance, insure, exchange,
accessorize, and own a Mahindra vehicle from home.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
‘Startup India-Animal Husbandry Grand Challenge’ winners announced: The government
awarded startups for finding innovative and
commercially viable solutions to address the problems faced by
animal husbandry and dairy sector announcing 'Startup India-Animal Husbandry
Grand Challenge' The ministry in partnership with Startup India had launched
the 'Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge' to scout for
innovative-commercially viable solutions to address the problems faced by the
sector. The challenge
was open for application to Startups from 11th of September, 2019 to 15th of
November, 2019 on the Startup India portal– www.startupindia.gov.in. The startups will
be given cash grants worth Rs 1,02,00,000. Here is the list of winners:
|
S.No.
|
Category
|
Winner
|
|
1
|
Value Added Products
|
Krushak Mitra Agro
Services Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
|
|
2
|
Eliminating Milk
Adulteration
|
White Gold
Technologies LLP, Mumbai
|
|
3
|
Product Traceability
|
EmerTech Solutions
Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
|
|
4
|
E-commerce Solutions
|
MoooFarm, Gurugram,
Haryana
|
|
5
|
Breed Improvement
& Animal Nutrition
|
Adis Technologies,
Belagavi, Karnataka
|
Note: Union
Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: Sanjeev Kumar
Balyan.
OBITUARIES
1. Story artist,
writer and director Rob Gibbs passes away: Story artist, writer, and director
Rob Gibbs (55 years) passed away. He worked at Pixar for over 20 year and has
contributed to films like Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo to Up,
Wall-E, Inside Out and Onward. He directed the Cartoons: Mater's Tall Tales
episodes Moon Mater and Air Mater. He was also one of the writers of Air Mater.
He belongs United States
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