Karnataka govt launches “Apthamitra” helpline and app to fight COVID-19

1.Remittances likely to plunge 20 % amid Covid-19 pandemic: World Bank

The World Bank said that the remittances are expected to plunge by about 20 percent globally this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.In its report, the Bank said the biggest decline in recent history, as closures cause a global recession and job losses that prevent workers from sending money to their families back home.

Developing countries are losing a key source of revenue as the coronavirus pandemic causes worldwide shutdowns, sharply reducing payments from workers living abroad.

The report mentioned that total remittances, which comprise up to one-third of the economies of some poor countries, are expected to fall to 445 billion dollar from 554 billion dollar in 2019.

2.Cabinet approves ordinance making acts of violence against health care workers as cognizable, non-bailable offences

The Union Cabinet has approved promulgation of Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 in the light of COVID-19 pandemic situation making acts of violence against the healthcare workers as cognizable and non-bailable offences.Under it , there is a provision  to provide compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property.

In the cases of attack on healthcare workers will be completed within 30 days and judgment will be pronounced within one  year.

The accused of the attack can attract a punishment ranging from 3 months to 5 years and a fine from  50 thousand rupees to  2 lakh rupees.

In case of grievous injuries, the accused can be sentenced from 6 months to 7 years and they can also be penalized from one lakh to 5 lakh rupees.

If damage is done to the vehicles or clinics of healthcare workers, then a compensation amounting to twice the market value of the damaged property will be taken from the accused.

3.HRD Minister launches ‘VidyaDaan 2.0’ for inviting e-learning content contributions

Human Resources and Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched the national program VidyaDaan 2.0 for inviting e-learning Content contributions in New Delhi.The programme has been launched due to the increasing requirement for e-learning content for students in both school and higher education especially  in the backdrop of the situation arising out of COVID-19.

VidyaDaan is a common national programme to develop and contribute e-learning content and a chance to be recognized nationally.

VidyaDaan is conceptualised as a common national program for individuals and organizations across the country to contribute e-learning resources for both school and higher education to ensure continuity of quality learning.

He said that the content will be used on the DIKSHA app to help millions of children across the country to continue their learning anytime and anywhere.

The DIKSHA Platform of the Ministry has been operating since 2017 with more than 30 States and Union Territories leveraging DIKSHA for augmenting teaching and learning processes.

4.Govt sanctions Rs15000 cr investment for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response & Health System Preparedness Package’

The Union Cabinet gave its post facto approval for significant investments to the tune of 15 thousand crore rupees for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’.The funds sanctioned will be utilized in 3 Phases.

Out of the total amount, seven thousand 774 crore rupees has been provisioned for immediate COVID-19 Emergency Response and rest for medium-term support of one to four years to be provided under mission mode approach.

Three thousand crore rupees has been released under the Package to States for strengthening of existing health facilities as COVID Dedicated Hospitals, Dedicated COVID Health Center and Dedicated COVID Care Centers.

Orders for procurement of 13 lakhs diagnostic kits have been placed to augment COVID 19 testing.

All health workers have been covered with insurance under the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package.

5.IGIB scientists develop low cost COVID-19 test ‘Feluda’

Scientists working at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) have developed a low-cost test which can detect the coronavirus within an hour.The report states that the test, named Feluda after a fictional sleuth created by filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray, was developed by two scientists – Dr Souvik Maiti and Dr Debojyoti Chakraborty.

It is expected to cost around Rs 500 against the usual RT-PCR test that costs Rs 4,500 in private labs.

6.BRO constructs permanent bridge on Ravi connecting Kasowal enclave in Punjab to rest of country

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed and opened a new permanent bridge on the river Ravi connecting Kasowal enclave in Punjab to the rest of the country.The 484-meter bridge was built by 141 Drain Maintenance Coy of 49 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) of Project Chetak.

The bridge costing Rs 17.89 crore excluding the approaches, consist of 16 cells of 30.25-metre length each.

The BRO had planned to open the Kasowal bridge in time for Vaisakhi so that the farmers could transport their harvest to the market comfortably.

7.JKSLSA launches helpline under ‘Serve-the-Seniors Initiative’ for senior citizens

While the entire world is facing the threat of COVID-19, the senior citizens have been identified as the most vulnerable segment of the society.In this context, Jammu and Kashmir State legal Services Authority (JKSLSA) has launched a helpline under ‘Serve-the-Seniors Initiative’.

The objective of starting this helpline is to help and facilitate the senior citizens who live alone and are unable to step out to get medicines, groceries and other essentials in this hour of crisis.

The initiative has been taken realizing the fact that the elderly are doubly affected by the COVID lockdown and are not only vulnerable to contracting the virus in view of their old age but are in tremendous difficulty to manage their day to day needs like groceries and medicines.

8.Karnataka govt launches “Apthamitra” helpline and app to fight COVID-19

The Karnataka government launched “Apthamitra” helpline with an exclusive toll free number and a mobile app, aimed at providing required medical advice and guidance for those in need.If anyone has symptoms of coronavirus, they can call the helpline from their home, get medical advice or assistance and get their doubts cleared.

Based on the symptoms, an expert team of doctors will advice on what to do next.

The ‘Apthamitra’ helpline will work from 8 AM to 8 PM, with helpline Centers at six locations in Bengaluru (four centers), Mysore and Mangalore (Bantwal).

9.SC quashes order providing 100% reservation to ST candidates in scheduled areas of Andhra Pradesh

The Supreme Court held that 100 per cent reservation of teachers belonging to the Scheduled Tribe category at schools situated in “Scheduled Areas” is constitutionally invalid.A 5 judge Constitution bench led by Justice Arun Mishra quashed the Government order issued under the hand of Governor of State of Andhra Pradesh which had affirmed absolute reservation for ST teachers and imposed costs on both Andhra Pradesh & Telangana Government’s, seeking reasons from the Government for breaching the 50% ceiling in reservations.

The Court has also reiterated the Indira Sawhney Judgement, according to which Reservations are constitutionally valid if they do not go beyond 50%.

10.Facebook acquires 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio for Rs 43,574 crore

Reliance Jio, the telecom unit of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), has sold a 9.99 per cent stake to US tech giant Facebook for $5.7 billion, or Rs 43,574 crore.The multibillion-dollar deal will make Facebook the largest minority shareholder in Jio Platforms Limited.

This is the largest investment for a minority stake by a technology company anywhere in the world and the largest FDI in the technology sector in India.

Facebook would focus on collaborating its messaging platform WhatsApp with Reliance’s e-commerce venture JioMart to enable people to connect with small businesses.

11.Bajaj Auto”s Rakesh Sharma takes over as IMMA President

The International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) has appointed Bajaj Auto Executive Director (ED) Rakesh Sharma as its president.Sharma had been previously holding office as vice-president in IMMA, elected in May 2019.

The election of the new president took place through a General Assembly by correspondence on April 21, 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Sharma joined Bajaj Auto in October 2007 as President (International Business) and is currently the executive director.

12.BWF Names Sindhu As An Ambassador For Its ‘i Am Badminton’ Campaign

World Champion P V Sindhu was unveiled as one of the ambassadors for Badminton World Federation (BWF)’s ‘i am badminton’ awareness campaign.The campaign provides a platform for players to express their love and respect for badminton by advocating and committing to clean and honest play.

Besides Sindhu, other ambassadors include Canada’s Michelle Li, Chinese duo of Zheng Si Wei and Huang Ya Qiong, England’s Jack Shephard, Germany’s Valeska Knoblauch, Hong Kong’s Chan Ho Yuen and Germany’s Marc Zwiebler, who is Athletes’ Commission Chair.