CSIR LAB DEFENDS SANITISATION TUNNEL
Why in news? In the wake of several advisories advocating against the use of sanitisation tunnels as part of efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Pune-based CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) and the Mumbai-based Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) issued a joint statement on 23rd April 2020 asserting that the advisories “did not […]
RBI TO RESTART OPERATION TWIST TO MANAGE YIELDS
Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced simultaneous purchase and sale of government bonds in a bid to soften long-term yields. The central bank will buy ₹10,000 crore of bonds maturing between 2026 and 2030 and sell the same number of T-bills. Details On a review of current and evolving liquidity […]
JAISHANKAR THANKS SAUDI, OMANI MINISTERS
Why in news? India on 23rd April 2020 thanked Saudi Arabia for looking after the expat Indian community as the world continued to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar spoke with his Saudi Arabia and Oman counterparts as the Gulf region began observing the holy month of Ramadan. Details Appreciated the […]
AUSTRALIA PITCHES FOR TRILATERAL COOPERATION WITH INDIA, INDONESIA
Why in news? India and Australia will face common challenges in the Indo-Pacific as the COVID-19 pandemic is stretching much of the world’s governmental capacity, said Australian High Commissioner-designate. He called for greater cooperation especially stressing on trilateral cooperation between India, Australia and Indonesia. What was said? As a starting point, we should build on […]
INDUSTRIES CANNOT BE FORCED TO PAY WAGES DURING LOCKDOWN
Why in news? The Parliamentary Committee on Labour in its report on the Industrial Relations Code, 2019, submitted on 23rd April, has recommended that “in case of natural calamities, payment of wages to the workers until the re-establishment of the industry may be unjustifiable”. Background The Industrial Relations Code 2019 is an amalgamation of three laws […]
LOCKDOWN ENSURED GROWTH OF CASES REMAINED LINEAR
Why in news? India has managed to maintain a linear growth of COVID-19 cases over the one-month period during its lockdown, the Union Health Ministry said on 23rd April 2020 even as the country reported over 1,409 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of cases to 21,700 with 16,689 active ones. There are 12 districts […]
GLOBAL REMITTANCES TO WITNESS SHARPEST FALL
Why in news? Global remittances are projected to experience their sharpest decline in recent times — 20% — owing to migrants losing jobs and wages because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group said in a report. This is in stark contrast to 2019 when they grew by 6.1%. In India, remittances for 2020 […]
INDIAN TEST KITS MUST FOR RELIABILITY
The need of the hour For reliable antibody testing kits, India will have to make its own, according to independent epidemiologists and biotechnologists. Much like home-based pregnancy tests, antibody tests are valuable because they give results quickly and only needs a pinprick’s worth of blood. However, they can only detect antibodies produced by the immune […]
CENTRE, STATE CAN FIX SUGARCANE PRICE, SAYS SC
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 22nd April 2020 held in its judgment that both the central government as well as the state governments have the power to fix the price of sugarcane provided the price set by the State is higher than the minimum price fixed by the Centre. The judgment was passed by […]
TRUMP SET TO SIGN IMMIGRATION ORDER
Why in news? President Donald Trump confirmed he would sign an order later on 22nd April 2020 partially blocking immigration to the U.S., in a move he argues would protect workers from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The President said on 21st April 2020 that he would stop the issuing of green cards — permanent […]