OUTDATED CENSUS DATA KEEP 10 CR. OUT OF PDS: ECONOMISTS
Why in news? Over 10 crore people have been excluded from the Public Distribution System because outdated 2011 census data is being used to calculate State-wise National Food Security Act coverage. The disastrous impact of this gap is being seen in the midst of a crippling lockdown, as people who have lost their livelihoods depend […]
U.S. FREEZES WHO FUNDING OVER CORONAVIRUS CRISIS, INDIA STEERS CLEAR
Why in news? President Donald Trump said on 14th April 2020 he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic while his administration reviews its response to the global crisis. Trump said WHO had promoted China’s “disinformation” about the virus that likely led […]
INDIA TO RECEIVE NORMAL MONSOON, MAY BE LATE IN MANY STATES: IMD
Why in news? India will likely have a normal monsoon, with a chance of ‘above normal’ rain in August and September, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on 15th April 2020. The monsoon is arriving late in many States and exiting even later, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said at its annual monsoon forecast conference. […]
170 DISTRICTS IDENTIFIED AS HOTSPOTS: HEALTH MINISTRY
Why in news? Nearly one in five districts in India is a hotspot, the Health Ministry said on 15th April 2020, a day that saw at least 1,036 COVID-19 infections. The government said it had classified every district into a hotspot, potential hotspot or a green zone. Of India’s 736 districts, 170 were ‘hotspots’, defined […]
HDFC CHAIRMAN SUGGESTION: EASING 90-DAY NPA DEADLINE NORM
Why in news? HDFC Ltd. chairman has suggested a relaxation in non-performing assets (NPA) classification to a period of six months. He said, instead of 90 days, a loan should be classified as NPA if repayment is due for 180 days. He also suggested that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approve one-time restructuring of […]
WORLD ECONOMY TO CONTRACT BY 3% IMF
Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic is having a “severe” effect on the world economy and is expected to cause a -3% change (i.e., a contraction) in global output in 2020, “much worse” than the 2008-09 financial crises, as per the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO). India’s growth is expected to dip […]
VIRUS INFECTIONS HAVE ‘CERTAINLY’ NOT PEAKED YET, WARNS WHO
Why in news? WHO told, 90% of cases of the overall outbreak, are from Europe and the U.S.A. So, we are certainly not seeing the peak yet. World Health Organization (WHO) The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. […]
AMID LOCKDOWN, HUNTERS EYE RHINO HORNS
Why in news? The COVID-19 lockdown has activated poachers who had been forced into lying low for more than a year. At least six thwarted attempts have been made within a week in and around Assam’s national parks. The lockdown has inadvertently made it easier for the poachers by thinning the ranks of the network […]
ICMR SUGGESTS TESTING OF POOLED SAMPLES
Why in news? Stating that the number of COVID-19 cases in India is registering a rise, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is now advising the feasibility of using pooled samples for molecular testing of COVID-19. ICMR has said that, for India, it is critical to increase the numbers of tests conducted by laboratories. […]
U.S. APPROVES 2 MISSILE DEALS WITH INDIA
Why in news? The U.S. State Department has approved two potential missile deals with India, for an estimated $92 million and $63 million, the State Department has said in a statement. The first deal, for which Boeing is the contractor, is for ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles and related equipment. The second […]