RBI RELAXES EXPORT RULES, ALLOWS STATES AND UTS TO BORROW MORE
Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced more measures to fight economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, including extension of the realisation period of export proceeds and allowing States to borrow more. Details of the Extension of Export Proceeds realisation period In view of the disruption caused by the pandemic, the time […]
WORLD COULD FACE A FOOD CRISIS: UN, WTO
Why in news? The heads of three global agencies warned on 1st April of the risk of a worldwide “food shortage” if authorities fail to manage the ongoing COVID-19 crisis properly. Concerns Regarding Food Shortage Many governments around the world have put their populations on lockdown causing severe slow-downs in international trade and food supply […]
DRDO TO MAKE FIVE-LAYER MASKS AND MODIFY VENTILATORS
Why in news? The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) develops five layer N99 masks with two layers of nano mesh. The DRDO has developed a ventilator and is working with the industry to produce 5,000 of them per month to treat COVID-19 patients. Details The DRDO developed a ventilator along with the Society for […]
CENTRE DEFINES J&K DOMICILE RULES
Why in news? The Centre has notified a law under which jobs up to the lowest level of non-gazetted rank have been reserved for Jammu and Kashmir domiciles. This comes nearly seven months after the Central government abrogated Jammu and Kashmir’s special position and bifurcated it into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir, and […]
INDIA SEES A SHARP SPIKE IN COVID-19 INFECTIONS
Why in news? India reported three deaths and over 370 new cases on April 1 — the highest-ever single-day increase in its COVID-19 tally. An official of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said 47,951 tests had been conducted so far, including 861 by private laboratories, and 126 ICMR laboratories were involved in testing. […]
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE COMBINATION ALLOWED
Why in news? The Union Health Ministry has allowed the use of Hydroxychloroquine in combination with Azithromycin under close monitoring for patients with severe disease and requiring ICU management as per the revised Guidelines on Clinical Management of COVID–19. Details Hydroxychloroquine was previously under testing and was allowed to be administered only to doctors and […]
‘STEP UP CHECKING IN PATIENTS’; COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION IN INDORE?; MIDDLE-AGE MORTALITY
Why in news? At a time when hotspot containment measures are among the focus areas for prevention and control of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), renowned virologist T. Jacob John has called for a shift in strategy — chasing the virus should be phased down and checking the virus in infected persons should be stepped up. […]
MINISTRY, SCIENTIFIC ADVISER DIFFER ON MASK USE
Why in news? India’s highest science advisory body, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), and the Union Health Ministry appear out of sync on whether masks should be widely used by people. Ministry’s view The Ministry’s standing recommendation is that NOT everybody should be wearing masks. Among those who are not healthcare workers, […]
ANDHRA BANK FADES INTO HISTORY
Why in news? Come April 1, it will be curtains for Andhra Bank as one of the oldest and well-known household names in the region gets amalgamated with Union Bank of India. Details A part of the Central government plan to create four larger banks by merging 10, the move will see Andhra Bank over […]
SC UPHOLDS RIGHT TO DISCUSS COVID-19
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 31st March 2020 upheld the right to free discussion about COVID-19, even as it directed the media to refer to and publish the official version of the developments in order to avoid inaccuracies and large-scale panic. It ordered the government to start a daily bulletin on COVID-19 developments […]