NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. FM
announces 4th tranche of economic support under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat
Abhiyaan:
In continuation to PM Modi’s announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore boost to the economy,
and the announcement made by her on May 13, 2020, May 14, 2020 and May 15, 2020
the Finance Minister of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has made the
announcement of the fourth tranche of economic support the Indian Economy’s
fight against COVID-19. These are the announcements made on May 16, 2020. The
announcement focuses on reforming 8 sectors which are:
(1) Coal- Commercial mining of coal on a
revenue-sharing basis is being introduced.
Government will introduce competition, transparency and private sector
participation through revenue sharing mechanism instead of the current fixed
rupee per tonne. Coal Bed Methane will also be auctioned.
(2) Mineral- To enhance private investments
in the mineral sector, a seamless composite exploration -cum-mining – cum
production regime will be introduced. 500 mining blocks will be offered through
an open and transparent auction process immediately.
(3) Make in India for Defence Production-
Foreign Direct Investment limit in defence manufacturing under automatic route
is being raised from 49% to 74% to boost indigenous defence production.
(4) Airports and airspace- 6 airports will
be put up for bidding by the Airports Authority of India for operation and
maintenance on PPP mode.
(5) Maintenance- Repairs and Operations
(MRO)- Tax regime for MRO ecosystem has been rationalised. Convergence between
defence sector and the civil MROs will be established to create economies of
scale
(6) Power Sector- Power distribution
companies in Union Territories will be privatised.
(7) Social Infrastructure Projects-
Boosting private sector investment in social infrastructure projects through
revamped viability gap funding scheme of Rs 8,100 crore. The government will
enhance the quantum of viability gap funding up to 30 per cent each of total
project cost as VGF by Centre and state
(8) Space & Atomic Energy- Private
Sector will be allowed to use ISRO facilities and other relevant assets to
improve their capacities. India to establish a research reactor in PPP mode for
production of medical isotopes.
2.
M/o Tribal Affairs Launches ‘Goal’ programme in partnership with Facebook for
Digital Skilling of Tribal Youth across India: The Ministry of
Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has launched “GOAL (Going Online As Leaders)” programme
in partnership with Facebook, to upskill and empower 5,000 tribal youths in the
country through digital mode. The initiative was launched by Union Minister for
Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda at a Webinar in New Delhi on 15 May 2020. Under
the GOAL programme, tribal youth will be provided mentorship to explore their
hidden talents, which will help in their personal development as well as
contribute to all-round upliftment of their society. The program will enable
Scheduled Tribe (ST) youth in remote areas to use digital platforms for sharing
their aspirations, dreams and talent with their mentors.
Note: Chief Executive Officer of Facebook:
Mark Zuckerberg; Facebook Headquarters: California, US.
3.
Delhi Police Gets India’s First Ever ‘Thermal Corona Combat Headgear’ to detect
body temperature from safe distance: Delhi Police has launched and inducted in
service first-of-its-kind thermal detection headgear named Thermal Corona
Combat Gear (TCCH) through which the police personnel will be able to detect
temperature of a large number of people from a distance of 10-15 metres. The
initiative has been launched by the Delhi police in collaboration with Indian
Robotics Solution (IRS), to provide safety to frontline warriors. The unique
equipment will ensure the safety of the frontline warriors and enforce social
distancing while detecting the elevated body temperature (EBT), without coming
in close contact with them in public areas such as hospitals, supermarkets and
crowded areas. With the help of this equipment, live imagery can also be sent
to a centralised control centre.
4.
Gujarat launches Atmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojana: Gujarat Government
has launched Atmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojana to provide credits to small
businessmen. Under the scheme, one lakh rupees collateral free loan will be
given at two per cent for the beneficiaries for three years. The beneficiaries
will have to make only one application to avail the loan from state and
District Cooperative Banks and credit agencies. Also, moratorium on payment of
principal cost and interest for the first six months will be given by the govt
on the loans. Gujarat government has a target of lending around Rs 5000 crore
via the loan that carries a tenure of 3 years.
Note: Chief Minister of Gujarat: Vijaybhai
R. Rupani; Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat.
5.
Nabard sanctions Rs 1,500 cr for Punjab to ensure credit flow to farmers: The National Bank
for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore
for Punjab to ensure continuous credit flow to farmers, through state
cooperative banks, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This is part of Nabard’s Rs
25,000 crore nationwide special liquidity facility (SLF), which has been made
available to state cooperative banks, regional rural banks, and microfinance
institutions (MFIs), to ensure flow of credit to farmers for agricultural
operations during COVID-19 pandemic,
6.
Union HRD Minister launches 7 books under Corona Studies series: Union HRD Minister
Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launches print as well as e-editions of the set of seven
books under the corona studies series published by NBT India. The 7 set is
titled as "Psycho-Social impact of pandemic & lockdown and how to Cope
With". The Corona Studies Series has been framed to document and provide
relevant reading materials for all age-groups for the post-Corona readership
needs. The set has been launched to guide people for mental well-being.
Note: Chairman of National Book Trust
India: Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma.
7.
Uttar Pradesh govt decides to give 50% subsidy on PPE kits: Uttar Pradesh
Government has decided to provide 50% subsidy on PPE kits. The subsidy will be
given to the healthcare centre who will treat patients on the rates decided
under Ayushman Bharat scheme. Government will also extend the registration for
hospitals registered under Ayushman Bharat for 6 months.
8.
National Dengue Day: 16th May: In India, the National Dengue Day is
observed every year on 16 May. The day is an initiative by the Ministry of
Healthy and Family Welfare, to raise awareness about dengue and its preventive
measures, and preparedness for control of the vector-borne disease before the
transmission season begins. Dengue is caused by the bite of Aedes mosquito.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Dr
Harsh Vardhan Attends 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers’ meeting through video
conferencing: The
32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting was organised through
Video-conference mode. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan represented India
in the conference. The theme of the meeting was: Delivering a co-ordinated
Commonwealth COVID-19 response. Health Minister highlighted the timely, graded
and pro-active measures taken by India towards COVID-19 management. He also
talked about the economic packages launched by the government.
2.
Endangered Species Day 2020: 15th May: The Endangered Species Day is observed on
the third Friday of May to raise awareness about endangered species and how to
protect them. In 2020, the day falls on May 15.
The day was proposed by National Wildlife Federation, United States’
largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization. An
endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the
near future, either worldwide or in a particular region due to various risk
factors such as habitat loss, poaching and invasive species.
3.
Armed Forces Day 2020: 16th May: Armed Forces Day is observed on the third
Saturday in May. In 2020, it falls on the 16th of May. This day is celebrated
to pay tribute to the men and women who served the United States Armed Forces.
Note: Capital of USA: Washington, D.C;
President: Donald Trump; Currency: United States dollar.
4.
International Day of Living Together in Peace: 16th May: The International
Day of Living Together in Peace is observed on 16 May every year to promote
peace through a harmonious living together regardless of nationality, gender,
language or religion, to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and
harmony. The first ever International Day of Living Together in Peace was
observed in 2018. The day is recognized by the UN General-Assembly in December
2017.
5.
International Day of Light: 16th May: The International Day of Light (IDL) is
celebrated on 16 May each year to mark the anniversary of the first successful
operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. The
day celebrates the role that light plays in science, culture and art,
education, and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine,
communications, and energy to help achieve the goals of UNESCO – ‘education,
equality, and peace’. Due to the COVID-19 crises, the 2020 celebrations is
being observed digitally through #IDL2020 and #SEETHELIGHT.
Note: Director-General of UNESCO: Audrey Azoulay.
OTHER UPDATES:
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
RBI extends interest subsidy scheme for exporters till March 31, 2021: The Reserve Bank
said a scheme providing interest subsidy for post and pre-shipment export
credit has been extended by a year till March 31, 2021, a move which would
provide relief to exporters. Exporters get the subsidy under the ‘Interest
Equalisation Scheme for pre and post shipment Rupee Export Credit’. The scheme
ended on March 31 this year.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Facebook acquires animated graphics startup GIPHY: Facebook has
announced that it has acquired the animated graphics startup GIPHY. Facebook
will now integrate GIPHY in its Instagram visual social network. GIPHY is known
for its use of stickers and other products using the graphics interchange
format or GIFs.
OBITUARIES
1.
Renowned Bengali Author and Sahitya Akademi Winner Debesh Roy Passes Away: Veteran Bengali
author Debesh Roy, known for his famous novel ”Teesta Parer Brittanto” has
passed away. He was 84. Roy was conferred with the Sahitya Akademi award for
‘Teesta Parer Brittanto’ (translating to ‘Chronicles of the Banks of the
Teesta’) in 1990. His famous works include Jajati, Borisaler Jogen Mondal,
Manush Khun Kore Keno, and Samay Asamayer Brittanto.
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